Role of Alcohol, Drugs, Suicide Attempts and Situational Strains in Homicide Committed by Offenders Seen for Psychiatric Assessment - A Controlled Study

• NCJ Number: 89887
• Journal: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Volume: 66 Issue: 3 Dated: (1982) Pages: 229-242
• Author(s): R Langevin; D Paitich; B Orchard; L Handy; A Russon
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Denmark

Annotation

This paper compares the use of alcohol and drugs at the time of offense, suicide attempts, and situational strains in 109 killers and 38 nonviolent offenders seen for psychiatric assessment.

Abstract

More killers than nonviolent offenders used alcohol and drugs at the time of their offense, but there was no difference in previous attempts at suicide nor in situational strains. However, killers had more recent frustrations than the other group. Results suggest that the use of intoxicants in violence-prone individuals is the most important factor in homicide. Study data and about 40 references are included. (Author abstract modified)