Citation

Bourgeois ML, Bénézech M. Ann. Med. Psychol. (Paris) 2001; 159(7): 475-486.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Societe Medico-Psychologique, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0003-4487(01)00088-9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Criminal dangerousness is frequently associated to psychiatric diagnoses. Recent studies using standardised psychiatric instruments confirmed more ancient data. Arrest rate of patients discharged from psychiatric facilities is significantly higher. Jailed detainees have prevalence rate of psychiatric diagnosis three times that of the general population. Schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorder, alcoolism increase the odds-ratio to commit homicide. In community samples (ECA and NCS Studies) most axes I & II disorders increase the prevalent rate of violent behavior by at least several times. Furthermore, the higher the psychiatric comorbidity the higher the risk of aggressive behavior. Finally, there is a correlation between suicidal ideas and attempts and homicidal behavior.