RESUMO
The horrific nature of murder using different types of weapons has been an important focal point ofmany criminological studies. Weapons that are used in murders seem to play dominant roles in murderinvestigations as they may provide information leading to arrest. The established factors for weaponusage include environmental context, demography and availability of weapons. However, there isinsufficient research attention on the psychological functioning of murderers for particular weaponusage. In light of this, the current study seeks to narrow this gap of information by identifying theinfluences of psychological traits on weapon usage among a sample of male murderers. The presentcross-sectional study was conducted among 71 male murderers incarcerated in 11 prisons withinPeninsular Malaysia. The selection of the sample was based on predetermined selection criteriausing a purposive sampling method. A guided self-administered questionnaire comprising sociodemographyvariables and four Malay validated psychometric instruments: Zuckerman-KuhlmanPersonality Questionnaire-40-Cross-Culture, Self-control Scale, “How I Think” Questionnaire andAggression Questionnaire; was used. Independent sample t-test was performed to establish themean score differences of psychological traits between the murderers who used single and multipleweapons while Kruskal-Wallis tests were carried out to ascertain the differences between the specifictypes of weapons used among the murderers. Following this, one-way ANOVA was carried out toascertain the psychological trait differences among the murderers according to the different sourcesof weapon. Results indicated specific psychological traits influenced the number(s), source(s) andtype(s) of weapon used in committing murder. The findings have implications for the psychologicalprofiling of unknown murderers within the Malaysian context.
RESUMO
Murder is the most notorious crime that violates religious, social and cultural norms. Examining the types and number of different killing methods that used are pivotal in a murder case. However, the psychological traits underlying specific and multiple killing methods are still understudied. The present study attempts to fill this gap in knowledge by identifying the underlying psychological traits of different killing methods among Malaysian murderers. The study adapted an observational cross-sectional methodology using a guided self-administered questionnaire for data collection. The sampling frame consisted of 71 Malaysian male murderers from 11 Malaysian prisons who were selected using purposive sampling method. The participants were also asked to provide the types and number of different killing methods used to kill their respective victims. An independent sample t-test was performed to establish the mean score difference of psychological traits between the murderers who used single and multiple types of killing methods. Kruskal-Wallis tests were carried out to ascertain the psychological trait differences between specific types of killing methods. The results suggest that specific psychological traits underlie the type and number of different killing methods used during murder. The majority (88.7%) of murderers used a single method of killing. Multiple methods of killing was evident in ‘premeditated’ murder compared to ‘passion’ murder, and revenge was a common motive. Examples of multiple methods are combinations of stabbing and strangulation or slashing and physical force. An exception was premeditated murder committed with shooting, when it was usually a single method, attributed to the high lethality of firearms. Shooting was also notable when the motive was financial gain or related to drug dealing. Murderers who used multiple killing methods were more aggressive and sadistic than those who used a single killing method. Those who used multiple methods or slashing also displayed a higher level of minimisation traits. Despite its limitations, this study has provided some light on the underlying psychological traits of different killing methods which is useful in the field of criminology.
Assuntos
Homicídio , PsicologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To establish the aetiology and historical prevalance of personality disorder in violent homicidal men in Jamaica. METHODS: Examination and analysis of primary data from the psychosocial case study interviews of 36 convicted murderers from the Jamaican Government Barnett Commission of Enquiry in 1976. The disaggregated social and clinical data were analysed using a Chi-square statistical analysis RESULTS: The mean age at time of arrest for the male convicted murderers was 24.26 ± 8.48 years. Twenty-three (66%) of the subjects had loving relationships with mothers, particularly in those men reared in the rural areas. Twenty-one (59%) cases showed marked paternal rejection and absence of integrated family life. Twenty-four (69%) of the cases experienced severe parental disciplinary methods, and two-thirds were illiterate or barely literate. Twenty-nine (83%) were from very poor socio-economic conditions. Thirty (86%) of all the murder victims were adult males. There were significant differences between the urban reared murderers (URM) and rural reared murderers (RRM). Sixteen (94%) of the victims of the URM ensued from robbery and police confrontation, while 13 (72%) of the victims of the RRM resulted from domestic disputes (p < 0.00). Seventeen (49%) of the men had normal personalities; 18 (51%) were diagnosed as having antisocial and inadequate personalities. Diagnosis of primary data using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria revealed 23 (66%) men with Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD). There were significantly more APD in the URM than the RRM (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Antisocial personality disorder as an aetiological precursor of homicidal violence represents a major public health problem in contemporary Jamaica.
OBJETIVO: Establecer la etiología y la prevalencia histórica de los trastornos de personalidad en hombres violentos homicidas en Jamaica. MÉTODOS: Examen y análisis de los datos principales de las entrevistas de casos de estudio psicosociales de 36 asesinos convictos, tomadas de la Comisión de Investigación Barnett del Gobierno de Jamaica en 1976. Los datos clínicos y sociales desagregados se analizaron mediante un análisis estadístico chicuadrado. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio al momento del arresto de los asesinos convictos fue 24.26 ± 8.48 años. Veintitrés (66%) de los sujetos tenían relaciones afectuosas con las madres, especialmente aquellos hombres criados en las zonas rurales. Veintiún casos (59%) mostraron un marcado rechazo paternal y ausencia de vida familiar integrada. Veinticuatro (69%) de los casos experimentaron severos métodos disciplinarios por parte de los padres, y dos tercios eran analfabetos o apenas sabían leer y escribir. Veintinueve (83%) tenían muy malas condiciones socio-económicas. Treinta (86%) de todas las víctimas de los asesinatos eran varones adultos. Hubo diferencias significativas entre los asesinos criados en áreas urbanas (abreviado en inglés, URM) y los asesinos criados en áreas rurales (en inglés, RRM). Dieciséis (94%) de las víctimas de los asesinos provenientes de zonas urbanas (URM) fueron consecuencia de robos y confrontación con la policía, mientras que 13 (72%) de las víctimas de los asesinos de zonas rurales (RRM) fueron resultado de disputas domésticas (p < 0.00). Diecisiete (49%) de los hombres tenían personalidades normales; 18 (51%) fueron diagnosticados con personalidad antisocial e inadecuada. El diagnóstico a partir de datos primarios mediante criterios de DSM-IV-TR reveló 23 hombres (66%) con Trastorno de Personalidad Antisocial (TPA). Hubo significativamente más TPA entre los URM que entre los RRM (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONES: El trastorno de personalidad antisocial como precursor etiológico de la violencia homicida representa un problema importante de salud pública en la Jamaica actual.