Homicide in the Canadian Prairies: Spousal killers, amnesia and self-harm

This study identifies the incidence of claims of amnesia in homicide offenders and explores the associations with other psychopathology. It is a retrospective file review and analysis of 901 non-selective, adult men convicted of homicide. Claims of amnesia occurred in 31% (280) of the total homicide...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medicine, science, and the law science, and the law, 2005-10, Vol.45 (4), p.288-296
Main Author: Menzies, Robin P D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Amnesia - epidemiology
Amnesia - physiopathology
Canada - epidemiology
Homicide - psychology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Rural Population
Self-Injurious Behavior
Spouses
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Summary:This study identifies the incidence of claims of amnesia in homicide offenders and explores the associations with other psychopathology. It is a retrospective file review and analysis of 901 non-selective, adult men convicted of homicide. Claims of amnesia occurred in 31% (280) of the total homicide population and 46% of spousal killers compared to 28% of non-spousal killers. Claims in both groups were significantly associated with alcohol use and in the spousal group with actual or threats of self-harm at the time of the killing. Spousal killers were more likely to claim some degree of amnesia for the homicide and engage in or threaten self-harm after the killing. These and other features suggest that some spousal killers may have borderline personality traits/disorders. This study proposes a new classification for spousal homicides.
ISSN:0025-8024
2042-1818
DOI:10.1258/rsmmsl.45.4.288