Finnish female homicide offenders 1982-92

Female homicide has been associated with several psychiatric disorders. Thi s distinct field seems to be in need of more research, and therefore we wan ted to explore the homicidal women of Finland. We studied written reports o f forensic psychiatric evaluations of female offenders committing homicide or attempted homicide during the years 1982-92. Of the investigated women, 28.0% were diagnosed with a psychotic illness, 43.9% with alcoholism and 72 .0% with a personality disorder. Comorbidity was common. Only 38.6% of the studied women had a single diagnosis. Those diagnosed as psychotic were not considered legally responsible for their acts. Most offenders had had prev ious psychiatric care. All the women committing neonaticide were diagnosed with a personality disorder and none was deemed fully responsible for her a ct. Further analyses with a new study design might elucidate the characteri stic homicidal woman.