title: Homicide by a forensic female sample in Brazil: a preliminary study.
abstract: The objective of the study was to evaluate the mental status of all women (n = 14) who were acquitted by reason of insanity of charges of murder or attempted murder and committed to a forensic psychiatric hospital in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All cases were retrospectively examined, including medical files, technical records, and forensic experts' official reports. A conclusive psychiatric diagnosis was established using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I and II Disorders and clinical and forensic records. The most common diagnosis was schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorders (n = 8; 57.3%). Most victims (n = 12; 75%) were close relatives of the patients. We found that 43% (n = 6) of the patients had a previous history of violent behavior. According to the initial psychiatric forensic evaluation, 5 patients (35.7%) had psychotic symptoms. It is expected that a growing understanding of motivational factors underlying homicidal behavior in mentally disturbed female offenders may further the implementation of effective preventive and therapeutic interventions.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Universidade Federal Fluminense (MSM-UFF). Rua Marquês do Paraná 303 - 3° andar do Prédio Anexo, Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Institute of Psychiatry Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IPUB - UFRJ), Avenida Venceslau Brás, 71 fundos , Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: Alexandre M
authors: AM
authors: Valença
authors: Antonio E
authors: AE
authors: Nardi
authors: Isabella
authors: I
authors: Nascimento
authors: Flávio
authors: F
authors: Jozef
authors: Mauro V
authors: MV
authors: Mendlowicz
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006708:Homicide / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: female; forensic science; gender; homicide; involuntary commitment; violence