Murder through insanity: a forensic perspective

ABSTRACT

Background: Persons with major mental illness (such as schizophrenia) may commit crime under the influence of psychopathology. Case description A 35 year old man (accused) killed his mother (victim). An autopsy of victim’s body revealed the cause of death as ‘due to fatal injuries to the brain and neck structures.” With the support of circumstantial evidence and post-mortem report of victim, the inquest officer presented the accused in the court. On receipt of judicial reception order he was subsequently referred to the psychiatrist. The accused was diagnosed as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and it was found that under the influence of psychosis he committed the crime. The psychotic symptoms were present before the manifestation of violent behaviour, in the form of delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized behaviour. With treatment his psychotic symptoms improved. Discussion: This case illustrates the profile of a person with major mental illness who was never treated, from a forensic perspective. Not all patients are violent; but, the risk is high. Conclusions: Early psychiatric intervention in the form of identification and management may go long way in prevention of violence committed by few patients with major mental illness. There is a need to understand the motivational factors for such violent acts which may help in effective prevention.