Alcoholism and homicide with respect to the classification systems of Lesch and Cloninger.
OBJECTIVE
Worldwide criminal statistics show a disproportionately high incidence of violent offences committed under the influence of alcohol. A psychopathological subtyping of alcohol dependence in offenders who committed homicide has mainly been related to impulsive and dissocial personalities up to now.


METHODS
In an investigation on 48 alcohol-dependent offenders who committed homicide, a subtyping according to the multidimensional classification systems of Lesch and Cloninger has now been conducted for the first time.


RESULTS
In Lesch's classification, there was a high incidence of homicides committed by type II and type III subjects with the comorbidity anxiety and cyclothymia. While type III offenders were more often repeat offenders, there was a remarkably high rate of first offenders among type II subjects (Chi-squared test; chi(2) = 30.0, df = 3, P < 0.001). With respect to Lesch's typology, the blood alcohol concentrations did differ significantly in the group of offenders (Kruskal-Wallis, chi(2) = 18.3, df = 3, P < 0.001), whereas the blood alcohol concentration of type II offenders at the time of offence was significantly lower than in type III offenders (Mann-Whitney-U, Z = -3.47; P = 0.001). Regarding to the Cloninger's typology, no significant differences in the aforementioned parameters could be found.


CONCLUSIONS
An excessive noradrenergic reaction of anxiety offenders with initial withdrawal is discussed as a possible explanatory model.
Reulbach
Udo
U
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg Germany Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Biermann
Teresa
T
Bleich
Stefan
S
Hillemacher
Thomas
T
Kornhuber
Johannes
J
Sperling
Wolfgang
W
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003527:Cyclothymic Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006708:Homicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007298:Insanity Defense; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000431:Ethanol; D009638:Norepinephrine