1
|
Giacco S, Tarter I, Lucchini G, Cicolini A. Filicide by mentally ill maternal perpetrators: a longitudinal, retrospective study over 30 years in a single Northern Italy psychiatric-forensic facility. Arch Womens Ment Health 2023; 26:153-165. [PMID: 36882553 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-023-01303-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Characterization of mentally ill maternal perpetrators of filicide assigned to a single psychiatric-forensic facility, including previous access to mental health services. A cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of medical records and legal documentation of maternal filicide patients at a single psychiatric-forensic facility (1990-2021) was performed. Socio-demographic, relationship, psychopathological, and criminological characteristics were collected. Data were compared according to previous perpetrators' access to mental health services or not and access within 1 year prior to filicide or not. All 55 detainees (mean age 34.8 ± 6.2 years) were included. There were 64 victims; 15 (23%) were ≤ 1 year old and most (77%) were single victims. Some mothers had history of violence/abuse (29%), an aggressive parent (45%), and violent relationships with their intimate partner (46%) and were socially isolated (49%). Most crimes were motivated by altruism (53%). Women had attempted suicide in 39% of filicide cases. Previous psychiatric diagnoses were available for 56%; 71% had accessed services for ≤ 1 year. Patients unknown to mental health services were less likely Italian, with children below preschool age and with no history of physical abuse/violence, aggressive parent, or suicide attempts. Patients lost to mental health services (> 1 year) were less likely Italian or assuming psychopharmacological therapy, were in shorter relationships, and were mostly diagnosed with personality disorders. Female perpetrators of filicide are often unknown/lost to mental health services prior to the crime. Multifactorial historical and current characteristics aid in identifying mothers at risk. Communication of the availability of mental health services must be multi-lingual.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Giacco
- Polimodular System of Provisional REMS, Castiglione delle Stiviere, ASST Mantova, Mantova, Italy.
| | | | - Giuseppe Lucchini
- Polimodular System of Provisional REMS, Castiglione delle Stiviere, ASST Mantova, Mantova, Italy
- Biostatistics service, ASST Mantova, Mantova, Italy
| | - Alessia Cicolini
- Polimodular System of Provisional REMS, Castiglione delle Stiviere, ASST Mantova, Mantova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kazemian K, Raymond S, Azoulay M, Gasman I. Homicides committed by women with mental disorders: A descriptive study conducted in a French secure unit. J Forensic Sci 2023; 68:568-577. [PMID: 36808600 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
Women remain a small minority of homicide offenders and appear to be understudied in the scientific literature. Gender-specific characteristics are however identified by existing studies. The aim of the study was to explore homicides committed by women with mental disorders, by analyzing their sociodemographic, clinical features, and criminological circumstances of the homicide. We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study among all female homicide offenders with mental disorders hospitalized in a French high-secure unit over a 20-year period (n = 30). We found that the female patients we studied were a diverse group in terms of their clinical profiles, backgrounds, and criminological characteristics. Confirming previous studies, we observed an over-representation of young women, unemployed, with a destabilized family situation and history of adverse childhood experiences. Prior self- and hetero-aggressive behavior were frequent. We found a history of suicidal behavior in 40% of cases. Their homicidal acts often occurred impulsively at home, in the evening or at night and were mainly directed toward family members (60%), especially their child(ren) (46.7%), then acquaintances (36.7%), and rarely a stranger. We found symptomatic and diagnostic heterogeneity: schizophrenia (40%), schizoaffective disorder (10%), delusional disorder (6.7%), mood disorders (26.7%), and borderline personality disorder (16.7%). Mood disorders were exclusively unipolar or bipolar depressions, often with psychotic features. The majority of patients had received psychiatric care prior to the act. We identified four subgroups, according to psychopathology and criminal motives: delusional (46.7%), melancholic (20%), homicide-suicide dynamic (16.7%), and impulsive outbursts (16.7%). We consider that further studies are necessary.
Collapse
|
3
|
Rossetto I, Clerici M, Franconi F, Felthous AR, Carabellese F, Di Vella G, Gandellini MG, Parente L, Carabellese F. Differences Between Readmitted and Non-readmitted Women in an Italian Forensic Unit: A Retrospective Study. Front Psychol 2021; 12:708873. [PMID: 34744870 PMCID: PMC8563585 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.708873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to compare readmitted (RW) and non-readmitted (NRW) female psychiatric patients after being conditionally or unconditionally released from Italian inpatient forensic psychiatry services, in order to identify variables that were significantly linked with readmission. This study included all patients who were discharged from the female Residences for the Execution of the Security Measure (REMS) of Castiglione delle Stiviere from January 2008 to June 2015 who were not readmitted until December 31, 2018 (48). In addition, data were collected on female patients who were discharged from the same REMS before 2008 and readmitted from January 2008 to December 2018 (42). A key finding of our study was that the readmission into a female REMS was positively associated with the presence of substance use disorders (SUD) and a primary diagnosis on Axis II. To a lesser extent, younger age, being unconditionally discharged when first released, having had a shorter length of inpatient stay and having committed a crime against property for the first REMS admission was also variables that were apparently linked with readmission. The present research continues the previous research on gender-specific mentally ill offenders. Hence, the decision to proceed separately with a sample of men only and one of women only. For all these reasons, young female patients with personality disorder and SUD perhaps should remain longer in REMS and be released with conditions. In most European countries, the length of stay depends on the clinical condition and risk assessment, with some exceptions where the courts set a maximum length of stay at the outset, as in Italy. All the factors listed above influence the risk assessment. Finally, from integrating these findings into the increasing international literature on conditional release and considering the recent changes in the Italian forensic treatment model, we recommend continuing research on individual risk and protective factors as well as risk assessment instruments on conditionally and unconditionally released inpatients with genders studied separately.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Rossetto
- Poli-REMS Castiglione delle Stiviere, ASST Mantova, Mantova, Italy
| | | | - Filippo Franconi
- Poli-REMS Castiglione delle Stiviere, ASST Mantova, Mantova, Italy
| | - Alan R Felthous
- Forensic Psychiatry Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Fulvio Carabellese
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Lia Parente
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Felice Carabellese
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tharshini NK, Ibrahim F, Kamaluddin MR, Rathakrishnan B, Che Mohd Nasir N. The Link between Individual Personality Traits and Criminality: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:8663. [PMID: 34444412 PMCID: PMC8391956 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In addition to social and environmental factors, individual personality traits have intricately linked with maladaptive behaviour. Thus, the purpose of this article was to review the link between individual personality traits and criminality. A systematic review was conducted to obtain information regarding the link between individual personality traits with criminal behaviour in the Sage, Web of Science, APA PsycNet, Wiley Online Library, and PubMed databases. The results indicate that individual personality traits that contribute towards criminality are (i) psychopathy; (ii) low self-control; and (iii) difficult temperament. As an overall impact, the review is expected to provide in-depth understanding of the link between individual personality traits and criminality; hence, greater consideration will be given to the dimension of personality as a notable risk factor of criminal behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N. K. Tharshini
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan 94300, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Fauziah Ibrahim
- Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia; (F.I.); (M.R.K.)
| | - Mohammad Rahim Kamaluddin
- Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia; (F.I.); (M.R.K.)
| | - Balan Rathakrishnan
- Faculty of Psychology and Education, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia;
| | - Norruzeyati Che Mohd Nasir
- School of Applied Psychology, Social Work and Policy, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok 06010, Kedah, Malaysia;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Carabellese F, Mandarelli G, Felthous AR, Catanesi R. Forensic psychiatric evaluation of 187 homicidal assailants with and without a schizophrenia spectrum disorder: Clinical, criminological and behavioral characteristics. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW 2021; 39:190-204. [PMID: 34037268 DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Intentional homicide, a declining phenomenon in Italy, represents one of the most extreme forms of violence. A specific subgroup of homicidal assailants is represented by those affected by mental disorders, where the relationship between psychopathology and characteristics of the homicidal attack is not yet fully understood. We analyzed the case files of 187 homicides or attempted homicides, in which the defendant had undergone a forensic psychiatric evaluation within the previous 10 years from a single forensic psychiatric center. We described and analyzed the perpetrator, victim and criminological characteristics of the study cases. A diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, a victim who was the perpetrator's biological child and absence of a personality disorder diagnosis were associated with an increased probability of having been adjudicated as lacking or having substantially diminished criminal responsibility due to a mental disorder. Homicidal assailants with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder showed some differences in criminological characteristics compared with murderers without a schizophrenic spectrum disorder, including a higher incidence of parricide, interruption of pharmacotherapy before the crime and disorganized post-crime behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felice Carabellese
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Policlinico Universitario, Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriele Mandarelli
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Policlinico Universitario, Bari, Italy
| | - Alan R Felthous
- Forensic Psychiatry Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Roberto Catanesi
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Policlinico Universitario, Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Trotta S, Mandarelli G, Ferorelli D, Solarino B. Patricide and overkill: a review of the literature and case report of a murder with Capgras delusion. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2020; 17:271-278. [PMID: 32946065 PMCID: PMC8119279 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-020-00314-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Despite being an infrequent crime, parental homicide has been associated with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in adult perpetrators and a history of child abuse and family violence in adolescent perpetrators. Among severe psychiatric disorders there is initial evidence that delusional misidentification might also play a role in parricide. Parricides are often committed with undue violence and may result in overkill. The authors present the case of an adult male affected by schizoaffective disorder and Capgras syndrome who committed patricide. Forensic pathologists classify such cases as overkill by multiple fatal means comprising stabbing, blunt trauma and choking. Accurate crime scene investigations coupled with psychiatric examinations of perpetrator allow reconstruction of the murder stages. This overkill case is discussed in the context of a broad review of the literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Trotta
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Mandarelli
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Davide Ferorelli
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Biagio Solarino
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), Policlinico di Bari Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Carabellese F, Felthous AR, Mandarelli G, Montalbò D, La Tegola D, Parmigiani G, Rossetto I, Franconi F, Ferretti F, Carabellese F, Catanesi R. Women and Men who Committed Murder: Male/Female Psychopathic Homicides. J Forensic Sci 2020; 65:1619-1626. [PMID: 32453452 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The present study was designed to compare gender differences in psychiatric diagnosis with the dimension of psychopathy in women and men who had attempted or committed homicide. The study samples consisted of 39 homicidal females and 48 homicidal males who were confined in one of Italy's REMS or prison facilities in two southern provinces of Italy (Puglia and Basilicata). Assessment instruments included the SCID-5, the PID-5 IRF, and the PCL-R. Each gender group was stratified according to the level of criminal responsibility for the homicidal offense (full, partial, absent), and after assessments, according to the degree of the psychopathic dimension. There were clear gender differences in homicidal individuals. Female offenders were less likely to have had a record of criminal charges/convictions or imprisonment, and their homicides were more often intrafamilial, victimizing especially of their children, whereas males targeted intimate partners and extrafamilial victims. In the entire group, there was an inverse relationship between the level of psychopathy and the personality disorder on one side, and the psychotic disturbance on the other. Factor 2 (lifestyle/antisocial dimension) of the PCL-R was higher among the homicidal males, whereas females tended to score higher on Factor 1 (the interpersonal/affective dimension). Finally, if the psychopathic dimension is a qualifier for antisocial personality disorder, as indicated in DSM-5, this appears to be less true for females who tend to have other personality disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felice Carabellese
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Alan R Felthous
- Forensic Psychiatry Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO
| | - Gabriele Mandarelli
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Montalbò
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Donatella La Tegola
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Fabio Ferretti
- Department of Medical Science, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fulvio Carabellese
- Department of Medical Science, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Roberto Catanesi
- Section of Criminology and Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|