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The autogenic (self-generated) massacre.

Paul E Mullen1

  • 1Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Thomas Embling Hospital, Office of Clinical Director, Academic Unit, Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield, Victoria, Australia 3078. paul.mullen@dhs.vic.gov.au

Behavioral Sciences & the Law
|June 24, 2004
PubMed
Summary
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Autogenic massacres, driven by personal psychopathology, follow a predictable pattern. Perpetrators are often socially isolated individuals with specific psychological disabilities, leading to murder-suicide events.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Criminology
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Mass killings encompass diverse types, including family, cult, and collateral criminal activity.
  • This study specifically examines autogenic (self-generated) massacres driven by personal agendas and psychopathology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the characteristics and patterns of autogenic massacres.
  • To identify common social and psychological disabilities among perpetrators of these events.

Main Methods:

  • Case study analysis of five surviving perpetrators of autogenic massacres.
  • Author's clinical assessment of perpetrators' social situations and psychopathology.

Main Results:

  • Autogenic massacres exhibit a stereotypical course.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Perpetrators share traits: social isolation, childhood bullying, poor adult work roles, suspiciousness, obsessionality, grandiosity, and persecutory beliefs.
  • These events are essentially murder-suicides with a spreading cultural script.

    • Conclusions:

    • Autogenic massacres are self-generated events rooted in perpetrator psychopathology and social deficits.
    • The perpetrators' psychological profile and the stereotypical nature of these events are key findings.
    • The phenomenon of autogenic massacre-suicide is a growing concern in Western society.