Homicides in residential homes: The price of savings in mental health services?

We analysed 13 patients who had committed serious violent crimes and were in Finnish psychiatric residential homes. All patients suffered from schizophrenia (according to the DSM-III-R [American Psychiatric Association, 1987]) and the majority from the paranoid type. Previous aggressive behaviour, l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of forensic psychiatry 1994-09, Vol.5 (2), p.421-425
Main Authors: Vartiainen, Heikki, Hakola, Panu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Finland
Health services
Mental health
Psychiatry
Schizophrenia
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Summary:We analysed 13 patients who had committed serious violent crimes and were in Finnish psychiatric residential homes. All patients suffered from schizophrenia (according to the DSM-III-R [American Psychiatric Association, 1987]) and the majority from the paranoid type. Previous aggressive behaviour, lack of insight into their illness, and alcohol abuse were typical. Placing patients with these features in residential homes should be avoided because these characteristics may lead to non-compliance with psychopharmacological medication, which may have fatal consequences.
ISSN:0958-5184
1469-9478
DOI:10.1080/09585189408412306