Axis I and Axis II diagnostic parameters of homicide

A series of 100 murderers was examined to discern overall patterns of psychopathology. In addition, demographic and other discriminating factors were used to test the hypothesis that murderers do not constitute a homogenous population and that subgroups will differ diagnostically. DSM-III diagnostic criteria were used to make each diagnosis. The sample was found to be representative of the universe from which it was drawn at least as could be determined by available comparative criteria. Four Axis I (psychoses, substance abuse, dysthymia, no Axis I) and three Axis II (antisocial, borderline, no Axis II) diagnostic categories accounted for more than 80 percent of the study population. The murderers were found to be a heterogenous population, and subgroups based on a combination of assailant's crime pattern, sex, prior criminal history, and relationship to victim manifested different prevailing diagnostic patterns.