NCJ Number
243764
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2013 Pages: 251-254
Date Published
January 2013
Length
4 pages
Annotation
There are few studies of female stalkers in literature addressing different study populations.
Abstract
There appears to be a high incidence of mental disease among female stalkers, having an important role in inducing the harassment. This study presents a woman affected by a bipolar disorder who had a long affair with her victim, broken off in 2007. Stalking began in January 2009 and continued for 6 months, during which time she was not taking drugs and was in a decompensated clinical phase. In July 2009, she was denounced for harassment; the authorities demanded a psychiatric examination. The woman then resumed taking the medication regularly. In December 2009, although she was in complete remission, she began stalking once more. This case shows that even when there seems to be an evident relation between psychopathology and crime, it is always necessary to evaluate to what extent the mental disorder is responsible for the criminal behavior. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.