[Homicidal activity directed against parents (forensic-psychiatric aspect)]

The authors present an account of four men where orders were given to examine their mental state because of murderous activity focused on a parent. In three instances murder was involved, in one case attempted murder. Three of the subjects were youths 13-19 year old, one was 61-year-old at time of murder. In three instances the activity occurred in a state of affect, incl. one case of simple affect of anger and mild drunkenness, in another case (except simple affect of fear) a short-out activity, and in the last case a pathic affect with impaired consciousness at the climax. In one case (the 13-year-old boy) the parent was killed during sleep obnubilation. The temporary mental disorder at the time of the crime led in three of the murders to severe impairment of differentiating and control abilities. In another of the men (61 years old) in the impaired control and differentiating abilities in addition to the affect of anger and simple drunkenness--slight impairment of cognitive functions participated. The authors emphasize the exceptional character of aggression in cases of murderous activities focused on parents. They compare their own experience with data in the literature and draw attention to the frequent occurrence of major forensic mental disorders. The diagnosis of mental disorders must respect general diagnostic principles. An important part is played by auxiliary examination methods.