NCJ Number
157488
Journal
Journal of Forensic Psychiatry Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (September 1994) Pages: 421-425
Date Published
1994
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Thirteen persons who had committed serious violent crimes in Finnish psychiatric residential homes were analyzed and all found to suffer from schizophrenia; the majority had the the paranoid type of schizophrenia.
Abstract
The individuals were assessed using the criteria in the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-III-R. Results revealed that the individuals' previous aggressive behavior, lack of insight into their illness, and alcohol abuse were typical. The patients committed murder, manslaughter, attempted murder or manslaughter, and aggravated assault. In all cases the patient had an intention to kill their victims. The violence was directed mostly to other patients. In two cases the aggression was directed to staff. The violence was only occasionally directed to persons outside the residential setting. After an assessment, all but one were placed in the government mental hospital. The analysis indicated that placing individuals with these features in psychiatric residential homes should be avoided because these characteristics may lead to noncompliance with psychopharmacological medication and that the consequences may be fatal. 16 references (Author abstract modified)