Personality And Homicide
This article reviews the role of psychopathology and personality in offenders who have committed acts of rage-type murder. The possible role of depression, PTSD, psychotic disorders, intellectual functioning and alcohol/drug abuse are critically considered. It is argued that although some forms of psychopathology may be indicated in some cases, these still remain in the minority. This seems to be consistent with findings that describe such offenders as 'apparently normal'. In an attempt to explain this further, the character profile and psychodynamics of personality are reviewed. A pattern of overcontrol is isolated as a key theme that best explains the 'apparent normality' of the rage-type offender. The relevance of the DSM-IV classification system of personality disorders for understanding this kind of criminal is considered. It is argued that a particular type of borderline personality organisation, not isolated by the DSM-IV system, best explains this character pattern.
There are many different forms of violent crime and many different reasons why some of these result in a homicidal act. Rage-type murder falls broadly into the category of expressive or hostile violent crime (Salfati, 2000, Weiner & Wolfgang, 1989). A lack of any apparent motive or plan and the offender's explosive affective state during the murder are key features that set this crime apart from others. Offenders belonging to this category need to be distinguished from individuals who have psychopathic, perverse or psychotic motives (Bollas, 1995; Gilligan, 1997; Hodgins, 1993; Kernberg, 1992). They further need to be distinguished from those individuals who have committed murder in order to fulfil a criminal motive (Blackburn, 1993; Hollin, 1989; Hyatt-Williams, 1996).
An act of murder driven primarily by an uncontrollable explosive rage reaction has been found by many to be a common form of homicidal behaviour (Abrahamsen, 1973; Bromberg, 1961; Gilligan, 1997; Hollin, 1989; Hyatt-Williams,...
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