Citation

Menzies RP. Med. Sci. Law 2005; 45(4): 288-296.

Affiliation

University of Saskatchewan, Knox Manse, 505, 4th Avenue North, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7K 2M5, Canada. bogey@sasktel.net

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, British Academy of Forensic Sciences, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16302373

Abstract

This study identifies the incidence of claims of amnesia in homicide offenders and explores the associations with other psychopathology. It is a retrospective file review and analysis of 901 nonselective, adult men convicted of homicide. Claims of amnesia occurred in 31% (280) of the total homicide population and 46% of spousal killers compared to 28% of non-spousal killers. Claims in both groups were significantly associated with alcohol use and in the spousal group with actual or threats of self-harm at the time of the killing. Spousal killers were more likely to claim some degree of amnesia for the homicide and engage in or threaten self-harm after the killing. These and other features suggest that some spousal killers may have borderline personality traits/disorders. This study proposes a new classification for spousal homicides.