The prevalence of severe personality disorder in perpetrators of homicide.

Background: Current UK evidence on the prevalence of personality disorder in homicide is lacking. The aims were to estimate the prevalence of personality disorder in homicide perpetrators from court reports and carry out a dimensional assessment in keeping with the new ICD-11 classification of the prevalence of severe personality disorder. Associations between severe personality disorder and sociodemographic, historical and offence-related characteristics were then explored.

Comparison of British national newspaper coverage of homicide committed by perpetrators with and without mental illness.

Objective: Adverse newspaper reporting of mental illness and in particular, violence committed by a mentally ill person, is thought to contribute to stigma. However, violent events are also considered highly newsworthy by journalists. The aim of this study was to compare the likelihood of newspaper reporting for convicted perpetrators of homicide with and without a history of contact with mental health services.

Trends in rates of mental illness in homicide perpetrators.

Background: The rise in homicides by those with serious mental illness is of concern, although this increase may not be continuing.

Aims: To examine rates of mental illness among homicide perpetrators.

Method: A national consecutive case series of homicide perpetrators in England and Wales from 1997 to 2006.

The incidence and associated risk factors for sudden unexplained death in psychiatric in-patients in England and Wales.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with sudden unexplained death (SUD) in the psychiatric population are unclear. Psychiatric in-patients (England, Wales) who met criteria for SUD were identified (1 March 1999-31 December 2005). Cases were matched with controls (in-patients alive on the day a SUD occurred).

A population-based study of juvenile perpetrators of homicide in England and Wales.

This study aimed to describe the social, behavioural and offence characteristics of all convicted perpetrators of homicide aged 17 and under; to examine their previous contact with mental health services, and to discuss strategies for homicide prevention. An eight-year (1996-2004) sample of 363 juvenile homicide perpetrators in England and Wales was examined. The majority of perpetrators were male, used a sharp instrument, and most victims were acquaintances or strangers.

Homicide due to mental disorder in England and Wales over 50 years.

Background: It has been stated that rates of homicide due to mental disorder are constant over time.

Aims: To examine whether there were changes in the rates of homicide due to mental disorder over time, and whether changes in these rates were associated with changes in the rates of other homicides in England and Wales.

Method: Examination of four sets of official homicide statistics from England and Wales from 1946 to 2004.