Rates of mental disorder in people convicted of homicide. National clinical survey.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies of people convicted of homicide have used different definitions of mental disorder.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the rate of mental disorder in people convicted of homicide; to examine the relationship between definitions, verdict and outcome in court.


METHODS
A national clinical survey of people convicted of homicide (n=1594) in England and Wales (1996-1999). Rates of mental disorder were estimated based on: lifetime diagnosis, mental illness at the time of the offence, contact with psychiatric services, diminished responsibility verdict and hospital disposal.


RESULTS
Of the 1594,545 (34%) had a mental disorder: most had not attended psychiatric services; 85 (5%) had schizophrenia (lifetime); 164 (10%) had symptoms of mental illness at the time of the offence; 149 (9%) received a diminished responsibility verdict and 111 (7%) a hospital disposal - both were associated with severe mental illness and symptoms of psychosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest an association between schizophrenia and conviction for homicide. Most perpetrators with a history of mental disorder were not acutely ill or under mental healthcare at the time of the offence. Some perpetrators receive prison sentences despite having severe mental illness.
Shaw
Jenny
J
Centre for Suicide Prevention, University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford ford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
Hunt
Isabelle M
IM
Flynn
Sandra
S
Meehan
Janet
J
Robinson
Jo
J
Bickley
Harriet
H
Parsons
Rebecca
R
McCann
Kerry
K
Burns
James
J
Amos
Tim
T
Kapur
Navneet
N
Appleby
Louis
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology