MENTALLY DISORDERED ATTACKERS AND KILLERS - TOWARDS A TAXONOMY

Only a very small percentage of papers on homicide deal with multiple killers in spite of their intrinsic and theoretical interest for foren sic clinicians. It is argued that prediction of future violent behavio ur is one of the most important aspects of forensic psychiatry and psy chology, particularly for mental health review tribunals (MHRTs) and f or administrative officials. This article presents an analysis of inte rpersonal violence in terms of three broad interrelated concepts: 'int ernal' motivation, self-control and environment. Factors which predisp ose individuals to interact violently with their environment raise the probability of the occurrence of a particular piece of behaviour so t hat a range of precipitating factors will produce the behaviour. In ot her contrasting instances the precipitating or 'trigger' factors are p re-eminent in the understanding of the genesis of the behaviour. Attac ks are dichotomized as premeditated and unpremeditated, and these two contrasting styles are described in terms of attack characteristics, w eapons and psychiatric formulation. The utility of this taxonomy is di scussed for crime investigators, clinicians and those officials who ha ve to make decisions about detention in and release from secure accomm odation.