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PubMed1992

The epidemiology of murder-suicide.

OBJECTIVE: To review the epidemiology, patterns, and major determinants of murder-suicide and to discuss the clinical and research strategies for identifying the individuals at greatest risk for this type of violence. DATA SOURCES: Data were obtained from English-language articles based on searches using MEDLINE (from 1966), PsychINFO (from 1967), and EMBASE (from 1974) programs. In addition, relevant articles, books, and monographs identified from the reference list of retrieved articles were reviewed. STUDY SELECTION: Case-control studies, descriptive epidemiologic surveys, and case series were chosen for review. DATA EXTRACTION: Because of the limited scope of the pertinent research literature, all data relevant to the incidence, demographics, circumstances, and precipitants of murder-suicide were summarized by the authors. DATA SYNTHESIS: Murder-suicide occurs with an annual incidence of 0.2 to 0.3 per 100,000 person-years and accounts for approximately 1000 to 1500 deaths yearly in the United States. The annual incidence of these events is relatively constant across industrialized nations and has not significantly changed over several decades. The principal perpetrators are young males with intense sexual jealousy, depressed mothers, or despairing elderly men with ailing spouses. The principal victims are female sexual partners or consanguineous relatives, usually young children. Clinical depression, specific motivations such as male sexual proprietariness or maternal salvation fantasies, and a history of previous suicide attempts are important in explaining underlying psychopathological mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Murder-suicide occupies a distinct epidemiological domain that overlaps with suicide, domestic homicide, and mass murder. These events may be categorized into one of only several phenomenologic typologies that share similar demographics, motivations, and circumstances. Despite the disruption of families and communities caused by murder-suicide, there are no standardized operational definitions, validated taxonomic systems, or national surveillance networks for these events, all of which are needed to develop prevention strategies.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed1997

Not guilty by reason of insanity of murder: clinical and neuropsychological characteristics.

We examined archivally clinical status, neuropsychological functioning, and perpetrator-victim relationships of 28 adult patients who had committed homicide and had been subsequently involuntarily committed to a forensic hospital. We divided patients into two groups: (1) not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) acquittees (n = 13) and (2) convicted murderers (n = 15). In comparison with convicted murderers, NGRI acquittees were more likely to be seen as psychotic at the time of the index offense and also were more likely to have killed blood relatives, especially a parent. By contrast, convicted murderers were more likely to have killed a significant other, mainly a spouse or lover. At the time of the index offense, substance abuse was more likely to have occurred in the convicted murderers than in the NGRI acquittees. NGRI acquittees and convicted murderers did not differ on neuropsychological tests, with both groups generally scoring within normal limits on all tests. Taken together, these results suggested that NGRI murderers may be driven by acute psychosis directed toward blood relatives and occurring against a backdrop of relatively preserved neuropsychological functioning.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Relapse in violent crime in relation to cerebrospinal fluid monoamine metabolites (5-HIAA, HVA and HMPG) in male forensic psychiatric patients convicted of murder: a 16-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate if low levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) monoamine metabolites of 5-HIAA, HVA and HMPG predict relapse in violent crimes. METHOD: Relapse in crime and level of CSF monoamine metabolites (5-HIAA, HVA and HMPG) was studied in a group of 29 murderers. The follow-up was 16 years. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 29 murderers were convicted of crime; nine of them committed violent crimes; one was convicted of a new murder. The differences in mean CSF monoamine metabolites were lower in subjects who relapsed into any type of crime, but only the difference in mean CSF HVA was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The risk to commit new murder is very small in males who earlier have been convicted of murder. Low levels of CSF HVA is associated with an increased risk for relapse in any type of crime.

Crime↗

PubMed1977

Murder will out.

A 1974 showing of more than 200 oils and water colors at the Tate Gallery, London, has led to a revival of interest in the 19th century English painter, Richard Dadd (1817 to 1886). In 1843, Dadd killed his father, cutting his throat, because he believed him to be the devil in human form. On a trip to the Near East, Dadd became deluded that the Egyptian god Osiris was directing him to eliminate the devil's influence. Four months after he returned to London he murdered his father, and was institutionalized for the last 43 years of his life. We advance the hypothesis that one particular painting. 'The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke,' symbolically re-enacts the murder and makes talion restitution. The painting shows minute attention to detail and altogether occupied the artist for 9 years. He also made a water color copy of it entirely from memory, and wrote a 22-page poem explaining the picture with the title, 'An Elimination.' We suggest that this hints at the same theme of undoing. Some art critics have seen in Dadd's other art works a projection of his inner feelings, especially a series of more than 30 water colors entitled 'Sketches to Illustrate the Passions,' amongthem 'Murder,' 'Anger,' 'Hatred,' 'Grief,' and 'Melancholy.' We construe these to support the thesis of redoing and undoing following the trauma of murder. We also mention Dadd's reminiscing, visible in his art, and its usefulness in reaffirming his self-identity. In the art work of Dadd's last 25 years, violent scenes are remarkably absent. Instead, imaginary landscapes and seascenes--the subject matter of his earliest adolescent art--reflect an inward absorption in and continuity of lifelong interests. We suggest that the long process of painting 'The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke' recapitulated and made restitution for the murder, encapsulating it so that compulsive expression of violent ideation was largely reduced, allowing other memories and activities to be engaged and expressed.

Art↗

PubMed2006

Serial murder by healthcare professionals.

The prosecution of Charles Cullen, a nurse who killed at least 40 patients over a 16-year period, highlights the need to better understand the phenomenon of serial murder by healthcare professionals. The authors conducted a LexisNexis search which yielded 90 criminal prosecutions of healthcare providers that met inclusion criteria for serial murder of patients. In addition we reviewed epidemiologic studies, toxicology evidence, and court transcripts, to provide data on healthcare professionals who have been prosecuted between 1970 and 2006. Fifty-four of the 90 have been convicted; 45 for serial murder, four for attempted murder, and five pled guilty to lesser charges. Twenty-four more have been indicted and are either awaiting trial or the outcome has not been published. The other 12 prosecutions had a variety of legal outcomes. Injection was the main method used by healthcare killers followed by suffocation, poisoning, and tampering with equipment. Prosecutions were reported from 20 countries with 40% taking place in the United States. Nursing personnel comprised 86% of the healthcare providers prosecuted; physicians 12%, and 2% were allied health professionals. The number of patient deaths that resulted in a murder conviction is 317 and the number of suspicious patient deaths attributed to the 54 convicted caregivers is 2113. These numbers are disturbing and demand that systemic changes in tracking adverse patient incidents associated with presence of a specific healthcare provider be implemented. Hiring practices must shift away from preventing wrongful discharge or denial of employment lawsuits to protecting patients from employees who kill.

Criminal Psychology↗

PubMed2000

Howison, the Cramond Murderer, and last person to be hanged and dissected.

An articulated skeleton in Edinburgh University's Anatomy Museum of "Howison, The Cramond Murderer", shares a show-case with the articulated skeleton of "William Burke, The Murderer". While the murderous activities of William Burke are well known, because of his association and activities with William Hare, and because they sold the bodies of their victims to Dr Robert Knox, the anatomist, little these days is recalled of Howison. He was executed for the murder of a woman in Cramond in December 1831, and was hanged on 21st January 1832. The case is important because he was the last individual executed before the implementation of the Anatomy Act of 1832. Accordingly, under the conditions of the previous Act, of 1752, entitled "An Act for better preventing the horrid Crime of Murder", his body had to be handed across to the surgeons to be "dissected and anatomized", before it could be buried.

Anatomy↗

PubMed2003

From animal cruelty to serial murder: applying the graduation hypothesis.

Although serial murder has been recorded for centuries, limited academic attention has been given to this important topic. Scholars have attempted to examine the causality and motivations behind the rare phenomenon of serial murder. However, scant research exists which delves into the childhood characteristics of serial murderers. Using social learning theory, some of these studies present supporting evidence for a link between childhood animal cruelty and adult aggression toward humans. Based on five case studies of serial murderers, we contribute to the existing literature by exploring the possible link between childhood cruelty toward animals and serial murder with the application of the graduation hypothesis.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Applying social learning theory to childhood and adolescent firesetting: can it lead to serial murder?

Despite the fact that serial murder has existed for centuries, it has been given little academic attention in the social science literature. Existing studies have primarily examined the motivational factors involved in the commission of serial murder. However, research examining the childhood and adolescent backgrounds of serial murderers is scant. Based on three case studies of serial murderers, this study contributes to the existing literature by exploring the possible link between childhood and/or adolescent fire setting and adult serial murder by applying social learning theory.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Child serial murder-psychodynamics: closely watched shadows.

There is a malignant transformation in object relations resulting in an identification with an omnipotent and cruel object resulting in an identity transformation. If the tension, desperation, and dissociation increase, serial murder becomes spree murder. The presence of pathological narcissism and psychopathic tendencies are of diagnostic significance in understanding the murderer's personality functioning and motivation to kill. Meloy (1988) considered the degree of sadism and aggression combined with narcissistic qualities to reflect the "malignancy" of the psychopathic disturbance where gratification (of aggression) occurs in the service of narcissistic functioning--that is, cruelty toward others in the form of a triumphant victory over a rejecting object. Meloy also believes that dissociation is ubiquitious in the psychopath. The initial murder of the serial murderer may reflect a "new identity." The pathological object-relations of narcissism and the malignant narcissism are important diagnostic indicators in the personality functioning of serial killers and the occurrence of these phenomena is a significant factor in the formation of the personalities of serial killers, their inner motivations, and their pattern of commission.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

The relationship between substance use, drug selling, and lethal violence in 25 juvenile murderers.

The goal of the present study was to determine the relationship between substance use, drug selling, and lethal violence in adolescent male homicide offenders and their victims. The study employed a retrospective review of criminal justice databases and medical examiner records for murders committed by 25 adolescent males incarcerated in the Commonwealth of Virginia juvenile correctional centers from February 1992 to July 1996. The perpetrator sample was 84% African American and 16% white. The average age at the time of the offense was 15.0 years (range = 13.0 to 17.7 years). The victims were 84% male, 60% African American and 32% white. The median victim age was 28.0 years (mean = 34.8, range = 17 months to 75 years). The results indicated that 52% of the murders were committed by juveniles with identified involvement in drug selling, and 28% of the murders were drug-related. Toxicology results indicated recent drug or alcohol use in 27% of the victims; while 74% of the perpetrators reported substance use, 35% indicating daily use. Using discriminant analysis, it was possible to accurately classify 86% of the drug-related murders with the variables of recent victim drug use and perpetrator substance use history. The results indicated that adolescent males involved in the sale and distribution of illegal drugs comprised a significant percentage of those incarcerated for murder. Recent victim drug use and perpetrator substance use may be important variables in identifying drug-related juvenile homicides. These results underscore the link between substance use, drug selling, and lethal violence.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Who killed whom?: victimization and culpability in the social construction of murder.

Based on in-depth interviews with relatives of people convicted of murder, this article examines the ways in which everyday understandings of 'murder' are socially constructed, as revealed by the narratives of murderers' relatives. To this end, interviewees' explanations of the killings are analysed and a distinction is drawn between interviewees who understood the killings committed by their relatives as manslaughter and those who accepted the murder verdict. In defining the offences in this way, interviewee s identified the significance of victimization and culpability to understandings of interpersonal violence. Through the analysis of interview data, it is possible to examine the ways in which 'murder' is seen to have occurred only when particular criteria of victimization and culpability are met.

Attitude↗

PubMed1995

Signature murders: a report of several related cases.

Three female patrons of singles bars were murdered in separate events in Bellevue, Washington in 1990 within sixty-seven days of each other. An evaluation of those murders revealed that all the murders were linked by a distinct personal "signature" or "calling card" left by the killer. As reported in the literature, the modus operandi of a killer frequently changes from one murder to the next and is different from the killer's signature, which is a permanent psychological imprint at each scene. The murder cases reported here demonstrate an elaborate signature of one killer who engaged in a rare personalization of his necrophilic fantasies by posing, openly displaying, and sexually inserting foreign objects into each one of three victims' bodies.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Adolescents murderers: abuse and adversity in childhood.

With rising rates of juvenile violence, an improved understanding of its causes is much needed. The relative absence of controlled studies based on British populations of murderers further increases the need for information in this area. This case control study examines a group of 21 imprisoned males, convicted of murder whilst aged 18 years or less, and compares them on a range of psychosocial variables to 21 convicted non-violent burglars. The groups were matched for age at interview and race. Results showed that lower socio-economic status, harsh parenting from both mother and father, and exclusion from school were significantly more common for murderers. Harsh parenting from the mother than from the father appeared to contribute more strongly. When factors were combined in a general adversity index, a significant difference was found between the two groups. The study confirms that multiple environmental factors are associated with murderous behaviour in young men.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Murdering babies. A cross-national study.

Males are murdered at a higher rate than females in the world. Among babies this discrepancy is reduced, though still present. The murder of babies occurred at a higher rate in nations where the suicide rate was higher (but was unrelated to the overall murder rate). The sex ratio for the victimization by murder of babies was more egalitarian in those nations with a higher gross national product per capita and more female equality.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗

PubMed1997

Brain abnormalities in murderers indicated by positron emission tomography.

Murderers pleading not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) are thought to have brain dysfunction, but there have been no previous studies reporting direct measures of both cortical and subcortical brain functioning in this specific group. Positron emission tomography brain imaging using a continuous performance challenge task was conducted on 41 murderers pleading not guilty by reason of insanity and 41 age- and sex-matched controls. Murderers were characterized by reduced glucose metabolism in the prefrontal cortex, superior parietal gyrus, left angular gyrus, and the corpus callosum, while abnormal asymmetries of activity (left hemisphere lower than right) were also found in the amygdala, thalamus, and medial temporal lobe. These preliminary findings provide initial indications of a network of abnormal cortical and subcortical brain processes that may predispose to violence in murderers pleading NGRI.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The presence of low IQ and mental retardation among murder defendants referred for pretrial evaluation.

After an overview of definitions of mental retardation and recent case law regarding mental retardation and the death penalty, this paper presents a study of factors associated with a mental retardation (MR) diagnosis among murder defendants. Subjects with a full-scale IQ< or =70 (n=42) were compared with other pretrial murder defendants (n=228) referred for forensic evaluation over a 5-year period. Subjects with an IQ< or =70 who were diagnosed with MR were compared with subjects with an IQ< or =70 who did not receive this diagnosis. Female murder defendants were more likely to receive a diagnosis of MR (p=0.03). MR was also more commonly diagnosed in subjects with an Axis I cognitive disorder (p=0.018). Having an IQ< or =70 was more common in subjects with a psychotic and substance use disorder (p=0.03) and did not necessarily lead to a diagnosis of MR in this subgroup. Implications for diagnosing MR among murder defendants are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

"And afterwards your body to be given for public dissection": a history of the murderers dissected in Glasgow and the west of Scotland.

Between 1752 and 1832, the bodies of hanged murderers were dissected or gibbeted. During this period, 38 murderers were executed in the West of Scotland. The bodies of at least 23 were dissected in Glasgow. The stories of these murders are recounted. Insight is also given into the attitudes of the public and the anatomists to dissection of executed murderers.

Anatomy↗

PubMed2004

Euthanasia: another face of murder.

Debate over euthanasia is not a recent phenomenon. Over the years, public opinion, decisions of courts, and legal and medical approaches to the issue of euthanasia has been conflicting. The connection between murder and euthanasia has been attempted in a few debates. Although it is widely accepted that murder is a crime, a clearly defined stand has not been taken on euthanasia. This article considers euthanasia from the medical, legal, and global perspectives and discusses the crime of murder in relation to euthanasia, taking into consideration the issue of consent in the law of crime. This article concludes that in the midst of this debate on euthanasia and murder, the important thing is that different countries need to find their own solution to the issue of euthanasia rather than trying to import solutions from other countries.

Australia↗