The Disease History, Sociodemographics, and Criminal Features of the Homicidal Forensic Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the disease history, treatment adherence, and the criminal history of individuals who committed a homicide offence, with no criminal responsibility due to their psychiatric illness METHODS: Of 197 who had been released from our forensic psychiatric clinic after one-year-mandatory inpatient treatment, we evaluated 160 patients whom we were able to contact. To determine the severity of the crimes, criminal violence rating scale was used. The sociodemographic characterictics and certain variables associated with the disease and the criminal acts of the individuals were documented. Out of 160 patients, 48 had committed serious homicidal crime while 112 had committed milder or moderate crimes. All homicidal offenders were male. Most were single or divorced, living in metropolitan areas. 29.2% were unemployed. Of the homicidal offenders, 89.6% had a legal guardian, 93.8% had social insurance, 83.3% had psychiatric disorder with psychotic features. 29.2% of homicide offenders had criminal history even prior to the mandatory treatment, most of which were severe violent criminal offenses targeting directly a victim's life. Among homicidal offenders, diagnosis of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders were more and psychiatric comorbidities were less prevalent. The correlation of homicide and unemployment points to the importance of occupational rehabilitation. Identifying preventive factors and determining the risk of the homicidal behavior in individuals with mental disorders are important for the protection of both the patient and the public.