Homicide during psychotic illness in New South Wales between 1993 and 2002

Olav B. Nielssen*, Bruce D. Westmore, Matthew M B Large, Robert A. Hayes

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

120 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: Too review homicides committed during psychotic illness in New South Wales over 10 years from 1993 to 2002. Design and setting: Case series of all known homicides committed during psychotic illness in NSW, taken from reports of psychiatrists submitted in proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW. Main outcome measures: Demographic and clinical features of perpetrators; estimated frequency of homicide during psychotic illness. Results: In the 10 years from 1993 to 2002, there were at least 88 people charged with 93 homicide offences committed during the acute phase of mental illness. High rates of drug misuse, especially of drugs known to induce psychotic illness and brain injury, were reported. Evolving auditory hallucinations and delusional beliefs that led the person to believe they were in danger were the symptoms strongly associated with lethal assault. The victims were mostly family members or close associates. Only nine of the victims were strangers, including three fellow patients. Most lethal assaults (69%) occurred during the first year of illness, and the first episode of psychotic illness was found to carry the greatest risk of committing homicide. Conclusions: People in their first episodes of mental illness should be considered to be at greater risk of committing serious violence than those in subsequent episodes. Illicit drug use, a history of brain injury, auditory hallucinations and delusional beliefs of immediate danger were particularly associated with lethal assault.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)301-304
Number of pages4
JournalMedical Journal of Australia
Volume186
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 19 Mar 2007
Externally publishedYes

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