Citation

Kernbach-Wighton G, Thomas RS, Saternus KS. Forensic Sci. Int. 1997; 89(3): 203-209.

Affiliation

Institute for Forensic Medicine, University of Göttingen, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9363629

Abstract

Injuries following autoaggressive behaviour are found in patients examined in forensic medicine as well as in psychiatric clinics. Self-mutilation often is combined with a borderline personality disorder in psychiatric patients. Our investigation compares injuries and wounds in psychiatric patients and those in persons examined in the Institute for Forensic Medicine after referral by the police. Our intention was to show evident differences and/or conformities in both of these groups. Additionally we describe a 'third group' of patients which has not yet been mentioned. These women showed, at the same time, characteristics of patients with overt self-injuries and of those with non-overt self-injuries. In this 'third group' we can often find a mixture of reality and fantasy/imagination.

Language: en