This study examines whether crime scene behaviors in Finnish homicides are associated with differences in offenders' mental status. Homicide crime scene behaviors were analyzed among five groups of offenders: those with schizophrenia, those with personality disorder, drug addicts, alcoholics, and offenders without a diagnosis ( N= 182). The results showed that crime scene behaviors, victim gender, and victim-offender relationship differed between the mentioned groups. In particular, schizophrenic offenders and drug addicts had some unique features in their crime scene behaviors and choice of victims. Schizophrenic offenders were more likely to kill a blood relative, to use a sharp weapon, and to injure the victim's face. Drug addicts more frequently stole from the victim and tried to cover up the body. Results are discussed in terms of their utility to criminal investigation.

Stranger homicide in psychosis is extremely rare and is even rarer for a patient who has received treatment with antipsychotic medication. A lack of distinguishing characteristics of stranger homicide offenders and an extremely low base rate of stranger-homicide suggests that risk assessment of patients known to have a psychotic illness will be of little assistance in the prevention of stranger homicides.

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