NCJ Number
57032
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1979) Pages: 492-502
Date Published
1979
Length
11 pages
Annotation
IN-DEPTH PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF A MAN SUSPECTED OF COMMITTING AT LEAST SIX HOMICIDES AND ATTEMPTING TWO OTHERS FINDS THAT HIS RITUALISTIC BITING OF THE VICTIMS IS RELATED TO HIS PREOCCUPATION WITH THE ORAL PHASE.
Abstract
THE SUBJECT, A 31-YEAR-OLD MAN, IS IN A MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON IN WISCONSIN. HE WAS ARRESTED FOR AN ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE, SUBSEQUENTLY CONFESSED TO ANOTHER HOMICIDE, AND HAS SINCE CONFESSED TO SEVERAL MORE IN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN. THERE ARE SUSPICIONS THAT HE HAS COMMITTED OTHER HOMICIDES IN OTHER STATES. THE MURDERS WERE CHARACTERIZED BY SAVAGE BRUTALITY AND INCLUDED STABBING, DROWNING, STRANGULATION, MUTILATION, BITING, AND NECROPHILIA IN MULTIPLE COMBINATIONS. THE SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN HIS LIFE ARE TRACED AND HIS RELATIONSHIPS TO AN OVERLY AUTHORITARIAN FATHER AND A WEAK MOTHER ARE EXPLORED. THE PSYCHIATRIC PROFILE FINDS HIM PREOCCUPIED WITH THE EARLIEST PHASES OF LIFE, AND SHOWS SEVERE CONFLICT IN THE ORAL PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT (WHICH OCCURS BEFORE 18 MONTHS OF AGE). IT IS A TIME WHEN THE CHILD HAS NO WEAPON OTHER THAN TEETH AND A TIME WHEN A DEPENDENT RELATIONSHIP WITH MOTHER HERALDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS. THE SUBJECT IS UNABLE TO VIEW OTHER PERSONS AS HUMAN BEINGS. RATHER, HE SEES THEM AS OBJECTS TO BE MANIPULATED. CHARTS, LISTS OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE SUBJECT'S LIFE, SAMPLE LANGUAGE ERRORS, AND SAMPLE RORSCHACH TEST RESPONSES ILLUSTRATE THIS PSYCHOLOGICAL DISCUSSION. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED.