7 psychological states of serial killers

Most do not have severe mental illness or a history of contact with mental health services. Only 15 subjects (18% 10% to 26%) were receiving intensive community care, and 60 (63% 53% to 73%) were out of contact at the time of the homicide.Ĭonclusions: There are substantial rates of mental disorder in people convicted of homicide. Alcohol and drug misuse were also common. The commonest diagnosis was personality disorder (20 cases, 22% 13% to 30%). Of the total sample, 102 (14% 12% to 17%) were confirmed to have been in contact with mental health services at some time, 58 (8% 6% to 10%) in the year before the homicide. Of the 500 cases for whom psychiatric reports were retrieved, 220 (44% 95% confidence interval 40% to 48%) had a lifetime history of mental disorder, while 71 (14% 11% to 17%) had symptoms of mental illness at the time of the homicide. Results: 718 homicides were reported to the inquiry between April 1996 and November 1997. Detailed clinical data collected on those with a history of contact with psychiatric services.

Main outcome measures: Offence related and clinical information collected from psychiatric court reports on people convicted of homicide. Subjects: Eighteen month sample of people convicted of homicide.

Objectives: To estimate the rate of mental disorder in those convicted of homicide and to examine the social and clinical characteristics of those with a history of contact with psychiatric services.

7 psychological states of serial killers