EPA-1808 – Memory for Homicide A Severe Violence

Abstract

Introduction

Defendants commonly claim amnesia for their criminal actions especially in cases involving extreme violence. While some claims are malingered or result from physiological factors, other cases may represent genuine partial or complete amnesia resulting from the psychological distress and/or extreme emotion associated with the perpetration of the crime.

Objectives

To identify possible psychological differences among homicide or severe violence offenders presenting amnesia for the event and those who do not. Due to a small number of offenders commiting such a sever violent crimes. We are presenting results of ongoing research. The preliminary data were presented at the EPA meeting 2013.

Methods

We examined homicide or severe violence offenders presenting amnesia for the event (n=20) and those who do not (n=20) with a complex psychological a psychiatrical assessment. Further we evaluated social and criminal anamnesis. Offenders with psychotic or schizophrenic symptoms were excluded.

Results

The ongoing study still shows no differences in cognition or personality in the studeid group (p < 0.01). Elevated levels of dissociation and score in IES questionnaire was found in offenders presenting amnesia for the event.

Results and conclusion

This ongoing study supports hypothesis that there are no any neuropsychological impairments in nonpsychiatric offenders of murder or severe violence presenting amnesia. Higher level of dissociation and score of impact of events scale (p < 0.05) suggest, that this group of offenders may be more predisposed to dissociative and stressful reactions in overloading events. Thus the question whether the amnesia is malingered or not is still unclear.