Homicides with Mutilation of the Victim's Body

• NCJ Number: 227721
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 54 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2009 Pages: 933-937
• Author(s): Helina Hakkanen-Nyholm Ph.D.; Ghitta Weizmann-Henelius Ph.D.; Stephan Salenius Ph.D.; Nina Lindberg Ph.D.; Eila Repo-Tiihonen PH.D.
• Date Published: July 2009
• Length: 5 pages
• Grant Number(s): 75697; 211176
• Sponsoring Agency: Academy of Finland
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study estimated the rate of mutilation of the victim's body in homicides in Finland in relation to the sociodemographic characteristics, criminal history, life-course development, psychopathy, and psychopathology of these offenders compared with other homicide offenders.

Abstract

In the 10-year sample, there were 13 cases of homicide with mutilation of the victim's body (2.2 percent); all involved 1 victim. Eight of the 13 cases (61.5 percent) were classified as "defensive" mutilation, i.e., the offender was attempting to eliminate evidence of the offender's identity. Two of the mutilations were offensive, i.e., the offender inflicted the mutilation in the course of the attack. Three cases (23 percent) were classified as psychotic mutilation due to the offenders being diagnosed with schizophrenia and delusions at the time of the killing and mutilation. None of the victims were strangers to the offenders, and nearly half were partners or family members. Compared to homicides without victim mutilation, homicides with mutilation were more likely to involve multiple offenders, movement of the victim from the homicide scene, sexual behavior toward the victim, and the use of a sharp instrument. At the time of the killing, the majority of the mutilating offenders were unemployed, and none had been in an occupation that required anatomical knowledge or the handling of corpses. As was true for other homicide offenders, those who mutilated their victims had a criminal history, with 37.5 percent having committed crimes before age 18. The average IQ among mutilating offenders was higher than other homicide offenders, and there was a higher prevalence of lifetime contacts with mental health services. Offenders' average age was not significantly associated with victim mutilation. Mutilating offenders were significantly less often found responsible for the offense compared with other homicide offenders, partly due to the higher number of offenders diagnosed with schizophrenia. 3 tables and 41 references