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Method of homicide is associated with psychiatric diagnosis

BMJ 2009; 338 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b1752 (Published 29 April 2009) Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b1752
  1. Roger Dobson
  1. 1Abergavenny

Whether someone uses a knife, suffocation, kicking and hitting, or poisoning in committing a homicide is associated partly with their history of mental illness and diagnosis, a study has found.

The authors, from Manchester University, conclude: “Strategies to reduce homicide in the mentally disordered population will therefore need to reflect these differences.”

Part of the national confidential inquiry into suicide and homicide by people with mental illness, the study looked at methods of homicide and psychiatric diagnoses in all people convicted of murder, manslaughter, and infanticide in …

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