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Rates of mental disorder in people convicted of homicide

National clinical survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Jenny Shaw ,
Isabelle M. Hunt ,
Sandra Flynn ,
Janet Meehan ,
Jo Robinson ,
Harriet Bickley ,
Rebecca Parsons ,
Kerry McCann ,
James Burns  and
Tim Amos
...Show all authors
Jenny Shaw
Affiliation:
Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Isabelle M. Hunt
Affiliation:
Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Sandra Flynn
Affiliation:
Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Janet Meehan
Affiliation:
Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Jo Robinson
Affiliation:
Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Harriet Bickley
Affiliation:
Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Rebecca Parsons
Affiliation:
Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Kerry McCann
Affiliation:
Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
James Burns
Affiliation:
Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Tim Amos
Affiliation:
Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Navneet Kapur
Affiliation:
Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Louis Appleby*
Affiliation:
Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
*
Professor Louis Appleby, Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. E-mail: Louis.appleby@manchester.ac.uk
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Abstract

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Background

Previous studies of people convicted of homicide have used different definitions of mental disorder.

Aims

To estimate the rate of mental disorder in people convicted of homicide; to examine the relationship between definitions, verdict and outcome in court.

Method

A national clinical survey of people convicted of homicide (n=1594) in England and Wales (1996–1999). Rates of mental disorder were estimated based on: lifetime diagnosis, mental illness at the time of the offence, contact with psychiatric services, diminished responsibility verdict and hospital disposal.

Results

Of the 1594, 545 (34%) had a mental disorder: most had not attended psychiatric services; 85 (5%) had schizophrenia (lifetime); 164 (10%) had symptoms of mental illness at the time of the offence; 149 (9%) received a diminished responsibility verdict and 111 (7%) a hospital disposal – both were associated with severe mental illness and symptoms of psychosis.

Conclusions

The findings suggest an association between schizophrenia and conviction for homicide. Most perpetrators with a history of mental disorder were not acutely ill or under mental healthcare at the time of the offence. Some perpetrators receive prison sentences despite having severe mental illness.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 188 , Issue 2 , February 2006 , pp. 143 - 147
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Footnotes

†

See pp. 129–134 and 135–142, this issue.

Declaration of Interest

L.A. is the National Director of Mental Health for England. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements.

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