Rates of mental disorder in people convicted ofhomicide: National clinical survey

• Published in: British journal of psychiatry 2006-02, Vol.188 (2), p.143-147
• Main Authors: Shaw, Jenny, Hunt, Isabelle M, Flynn, Sandra, Meehan, Janet, Robinson, Jo, Bickley, Harriet, Parsons, Rebecca, McCann, Kerry, Burns, James, Amos, Tim, Kapur, Navneet, Appleby, Louis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Diminished responsibility; Health care; Homicide; Medical diagnosis; Mental disorders; Perpetrators; Psychiatric services; Schizophrenia
• ISSN: 0007-1250; 1472-1465
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.188.2.143

BackgroundPrevious studies of people convicted of homicide have used differentdefinitions of mental disorder.AimsTo estimate the rate of mental disorder in people convicted of homicide;to examine the relationship between definitions, verdict and outcome incourt.MethodA national clinical survey of people convicted of homicide(n=1594) in England and Wales (1996–1999). Rates ofmental disorder were estimated based on: lifetime diagnosis, mentalillness at the time of the offence, contact with psychiatric services,diminished responsibility verdict and hospital disposal.ResultsOf the 1594, 545 (34%) had a mental disorder: most had not attendedpsychiatric services; 85 (5%) had schizophrenia (lifetime); 164 (10%) hadsymptoms of mental illness at the time of the offence; 149 (9%) receiveda diminished responsibility verdict and 111 (7%) a hospital disposal –both were associated with severe mental illness and symptoms ofpsychosis.ConclusionsThe findings suggest an association between schizophrenia and convictionfor homicide. Most perpetrators with a history of mental disorder werenot acutely ill or under mental healthcare at the time of the offence.Some perpetrators receive prison sentences despite having severe mentalillness.