TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - From overkill to beheading: a case report of a schizophrenic matricide
JO  - Journal of forensic sciences
A1  - Petroni, Giulia
A1  - Mandarelli, Gabriele
A1  - Marasco, Maurizio
A1  - Catanesi, Roberto
A1  - Tavone, Alessandro Mauro
A1  - Potenza, Saverio
A1  - Marsella, Luigi Tonino
A1  - Marella, Gian Luca
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - Initial evidence exists on a subtype of matricide committed by subjects suffering from severe mental disorders. Matricide perpetrators often undergo a forensic psychiatric evaluation during the subsequent criminal trial because of supposed legal insanity. The few studies on matricide by mentally disordered perpetrators suggested a possible association between such extreme form of violence and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, especially in case of active delusions or hallucinations. <br><br>METHODS: we analyze a case of a young male with a recent diagnosis of psychotic disorder who committed matricide by inflicting multiple injuries and beheading. Data emerging from the forensic pathological analysis of the victim, as well as the forensic psychiatric analysis of the matricide perpetrator are discussed within an interdisciplinary perspective. <br><br>RESULTS: the autopsy revealed multiple stab wounds in the regions of the upper limbs, abdomen, chest, and neck, the latter determining beheading. The forensic psychiatric evaluation yielded a diagnosis of schizophrenia and clarified the causal role in the homicidal behavioral of active psychotic symptoms. <br><br>CONCLUSION: the specific type of delusional content, and perpetrator-victim relationship might contribute explaining a subtype of extremely violent homicide in recent onset schizophrenia.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0022-1198
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14829
ID  - ref1
ER  -