NCJ Number
109845
Journal
International Journal of Law and Psychiatry Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (1986) Pages: 19-37
Date Published
1986
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study of criminal homicides in northern Sweden between 1970-1981 (71 cases and 64 offenders) examined the frequency of alcohol intoxication among homicide offenders and victims; the frequency of alcohol abusers, alcoholics, and the mentally ill among homicide offenders; and the characteristics of homicides committed by intoxicated offenders compared to those committed by sober offenders.
Abstract
Offenders were predominantly males, aged 20-40, and half of the victims were females. Mutual intoxication was involved in 44 percent of the cases, and in 34 percent of the cases, both participants were sober. The majority of victims were related to the offender. Sharp instruments, blunt instruments, and firearms, in this order, were the most common killing instruments. Sixty-three percent of the offenders had received psychiatric care, and 31 percent were considered mentally ill at trial. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism were prevalent among 30 percent of the offenders, and another 27 percent were mentally ill or had a personality disorder. Nineteen offenders were sober during the homicide, and 15 of these were mentally ill. The sober offenders rarely attacked persons outside their families, and their motives were often premeditated. Of the factors identified, restrictions on the sale of alcohol would be the most likely to impact the homicide rate to a significant degree. 4 tables and 47 references.