Female serial killing: review and case report

A middle-aged female serial killer

The case of a 48-year-old woman accused of killing at least 12 elderly women and attempting to kill another one during the last 3 years is presented. Extensive neuropsychological, electrophysiological, and neuropsychiatric testing showed no evidence of a DSM-IV-TR Axis I diagnosis, but a decrease in executive functions and abnormalities in the processing of affective stimuli were found. Behavioral and psychophysiological studies revealed dissociation between knowing how to behave and actually behaving in socially acceptable ways. According to the woman, killing was just her response to "humiliating situations." Two potentially significant conditions in her past history are found: (i) childhood abuse; and (ii) multiple head injuries. It is conjectured that the nature of her crimes, paranoid and personality traits, a probable frontal brain dysfunction, as well as a specific demographic and social context represent unusual factors accounting for her violent behavior.

International work in forensic psychiatry

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review literature published worldwide during the past year on forensic psychiatry.

RECENT FINDINGS

In Singapore, more homicides are committed by foreigners than nationals. In Israel, immigrants are less often involuntarily committed. In Australia, a community treatment order results in more rehospitalizations after the first admission and fewer rehospitalizations after subsequent admissions. In New Zealand, assertive community treatment with cultural engagement results in good outcome even for those offenders with a diagnosis of antisocial behavior.

SUMMARY

New findings are leading to public policy decisions and improved treatment methods.

The mind of the sexual predator

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review reports recent articles in the criminological literature that may be of help in understanding the psychodynamics of sexual predators in the hope of better defining them and preventing recidivistic behavior.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent literature presents the motivations behind sexual offending, attempting to explain in a psychodynamic way the complex problem of the aberrant sexual drives of the sexual predator. Recent civil commitment laws and their implications are touched upon.

SUMMARY

The literature presented will enable the criminology practitioner to reach a more holistic understanding of the sexual predator and better detection of them.