BACKGROUND: The annual number of homicide convictions in England and Wales is increasing. Previous studies have highlighted the aetiological role of alcohol and drugs in homicide. AIMS: To examine rates of alcohol and drug misuse and dependence in people convicted of homicide; the role of alcohol and drugs in the offence; the social and clinical characteristics of alcohol- and drug-related homicides; and the social and clinical characteristics of patients with dual diagnosis who commit homicide. METHODS: A national clinical survey based on a 3-year (1996-9) consecutive sample of people convicted of homicide in England and Wales. Information on rates of alcohol and drug misuse/dependence, the role of alcohol and drugs in the offence and social and clinical characteristics of perpetrators were collected from psychiatric reports prepared for the court in homicide convictions. Detailed clinical information was gathered from questionnaires completed by mental health teams for those in contact with mental health services. RESULTS: Of the 1594 homicide perpetrators, more than one-third (42%) occurred in people with a history of alcohol misuse or dependence and 40% in people with a history of drug misuse or dependence. Alcohol or drug misuse played a contributory role in two-fifths of homicides. Alcohol played a major role in 52 (6%) and a minor role in 364 (39%) homicides. Drugs played a major role in six (1%) and a minor role in 138 (14%) homicides. Forty-two homicides (17%) were committed by patients with severe mental illness and substance misuse. Alcohol- and drug-related homicides were generally associated with male perpetrators who had a history of violence, personality disorders, mental health service contact and with stranger victims. CONCLUSIONS: Substance misuse contributes to the majority of homicides in England and Wales. A public health approach to homicide would highlight alcohol and drugs before severe mental illness.
BACKGROUND: The annual number of homicide convictions in England and Wales is increasing. Previous studies have highlighted the aetiological role of alcohol and drugs in homicide. AIMS: To examine rates of alcohol and drug misuse and dependence in people convicted of homicide; the role of alcohol and drugs in the offence; the social and clinical characteristics of alcohol- and drug-related homicides; and the social and clinical characteristics of patients with dual diagnosis who commit homicide. METHODS: A national clinical survey based on a 3-year (1996-9) consecutive sample of people convicted of homicide in England and Wales. Information on rates of alcohol and drug misuse/dependence, the role of alcohol and drugs in the offence and social and clinical characteristics of perpetrators were collected from psychiatric reports prepared for the court in homicide convictions. Detailed clinical information was gathered from questionnaires completed by mental health teams for those in contact with mental health services. RESULTS: Of the 1594 homicide perpetrators, more than one-third (42%) occurred in people with a history of alcohol misuse or dependence and 40% in people with a history of drug misuse or dependence. Alcohol or drug misuse played a contributory role in two-fifths of homicides. Alcohol played a major role in 52 (6%) and a minor role in 364 (39%) homicides. Drugs played a major role in six (1%) and a minor role in 138 (14%) homicides. Forty-two homicides (17%) were committed by patients with severe mental illness and substance misuse. Alcohol- and drug-related homicides were generally associated with male perpetrators who had a history of violence, personality disorders, mental health service contact and with stranger victims. CONCLUSIONS: Substance misuse contributes to the majority of homicides in England and Wales. A public health approach to homicide would highlight alcohol and drugs before severe mental illness.
Authors: Andrew Stickley; Mall Leinsalu; Anton E Kunst; Matthias Bopp; Bjørn Heine Strand; Pekka Martikainen; Olle Lundberg; Katalin Kovács; Barbara Artnik; Ramune Kalediene; Jitka Rychtaříková; Bogdan Wojtyniak; Johan P Mackenbach Journal: Eur J Epidemiol Date: 2012-07-25 Impact factor: 8.082
Authors: Johanna Koskinen; Johanna Löhönen; Hannu Koponen; Matti Isohanni; Jouko Miettunen Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2009-04-22 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: David A Brent; Matthew J Miller; Rolf Loeber; Edward P Mulvey; Boris Birmaher Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2013-02-14 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: James Lachaud; Peter D Donnelly; David Henry; Kathy Kornas; Andrew Calzavara; Catherine Bornbaum; Laura Rosella Journal: Int J Equity Health Date: 2017-07-24
Authors: Dorothy Newbury-Birch; Martin Bland; Paul Cassidy; Simon Coulton; Paolo Deluca; Colin Drummond; Eilish Gilvarry; Christine Godfrey; Nick Heather; Eileen Kaner; Judy Myles; Adenekan Oyefeso; Steve Parrott; Katherine Perryman; Tom Phillips; Don Shenker; Jonathan Shepherd Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2009-11-18 Impact factor: 3.295