NCJ Number
89887
Journal
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Volume: 66 Issue: 3 Dated: (1982) Pages: 229-242
Date Published
1982
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper compares the use of alcohol and drugs at the time of offense, suicide attempts, and situational strains in 109 killers and 38 nonviolent offenders seen for psychiatric assessment.
Abstract
More killers than nonviolent offenders used alcohol and drugs at the time of their offense, but there was no difference in previous attempts at suicide nor in situational strains. However, killers had more recent frustrations than the other group. Results suggest that the use of intoxicants in violence-prone individuals is the most important factor in homicide. Study data and about 40 references are included. (Author abstract modified)