NCJ Number
206724
Journal
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: 2004 Pages: 121-133
Date Published
2004
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study examined perpetrator characteristics in cases of spousal homicide in Sweden occurring between 1990 and 1999.
Abstract
Approximately 20,000 cases of assault against women are reported to Swedish police every year. In approximately 80 percent of all cases of violence against women in Sweden, the perpetrator is a known to the victim. Despite the prevalence of spousal assault, the number of women killed by their male partners in Sweden is quite small. The current study compared data on the perpetrators from all cases of spousal homicide in Sweden from the years 1990 through 1999 (N=164) with perpetrator data from all cases of non-spousal homicide in Sweden during the same years (N=690). Data were drawn from all verdicts and materials of the police investigation, as well as interviews with police investigators. Also examined were forensic reports, criminal histories, and any forensic psychiatric materials. The Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version was completed based on information obtained from psychiatric materials. Of the spousal homicide perpetrator sample, 79 percent participated in forensic psychiatric examinations, all except 5 percent were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric disorder, and 34 percent were sentenced to forensic psychiatric treatment. A full 80 percent of the spousal homicide perpetrator sample could be characterized as mentally disordered. Spousal homicide perpetrators were also four times more likely than other homicide perpetrators to commit suicide. Thus, suicide ideation should be considered an important risk factor for spousal homicide. The sample of spousal homicide perpetrators matches the dysphoric/borderline category of spouse assaulters presented in the typology by Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994) and may benefit from treatment if detected before a fatality occurs. The findings underscore the importance of risk assessment and risk management. The study is considered highly generalizable in Sweden because the sample involved all homicides during the 10-year study period; results may be less generalizable to the United States. Tables, references