Mentally abnormal homicide in Western Australia

✍ Scribed by Niazi Af Kraya; Krishna C Pillai

• Book ID: 104469733
• Publisher: Informa plc
• Year: 2001
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 101 KB
• Volume: 9
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1039-8562
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1665.2001.00324.x

✦ Synopsis

Objective: To review persons charged or convicted with homicide referred to the Western Australian Forensic Psychiatric Service.

Method: Review of case note of referrals over a five-year period.

Results: Data from 42 cases were collected. Offenders and victims belonged to a variety of ethnic backgrounds. There were four cases of multiple homicide. The majority of perpetrators and victims were males. A significant number had a pre-existing major psychiatric disorder, about half of who were under psychiatric care at the time of the offence. Half of the patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia or delusional disorder. A gun was used in one fifth of the cases.

Conclusions: The survey highlights the importance of risk management and assertive community follow-up in those with psychosis.