Mental Illness and Homicide
A homicide study undertaken at the Ontario Hospital, Penetanguishene, yielded 100 cases in which mental illness was present, or considered to be present, at the time of the act. This paper deals with some selected structural data on the total group, leaving dynamic material for intensive investigation of various subgroups. The 100 patients had killed 110 victims and wounded a further 26. About half of the cases involved homicide within the family. Background information on the patients and some personal and social factors are considered. In terms of diagnosis, more than half were schizophrenics. The peak in the ages of patients at the time of the offence is in the 30 to 35 year age group, but this differs in the various forms of homicides. Seasonal variations indicate peaks in early spring and fall, with another increase in December in the Christmas period. No specific weekday pattern emerged and the daily pattern suggests an increase in frequency from early morning to late evening. Most of the homicides took place in or close to the residence of offender or victim. Shooting was the most common method of attack. After the act, the majority of offenders made no attempt to escape. The analysis will be continued in greater detail and with comparative material from the literature. These future papers will be concerned with specific groups, such as matricide, patricide, and wife murder.