Characteristics of persons accused of intimate partner homicide amongst forensic psychiatric observations

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner homicide (IPH) is a global public health problem. One study conducted over 66 countries found that 13.5% of all homicides and 38.6% of female homicides were committed by an intimate partner. In South Africa, there were no published studies that examine alleged perpetrators of IPH that were referred for forensic psychiatric observation.Aim: To describe the profile of accused persons referred for forensic psychiatric observation for a charge of murder or attempted murder of their intimate partners. Certain characteristics were further examined according to the psychiatric observation outcomes.Setting: The study was conducted at Sterkfontein Hospital, a forensic psychiatric hospital in Gauteng, South Africa.Methods: A retrospective record review of accused persons referred for forensic psychiatric observation for a charge of murder or attempted murder of their intimate partners was conducted. The period of the review was 19 years. The definition of intimate partners included current or former spouses and partners, same-sex partners and rejected suitors.Results: One hundred and sixty-three files, which included forensic psychiatric reports, were reviewed. The findings related to the profile of accused persons and offence characteristics indicated that: (1) history of violent behaviour is prevalent; (2) homicides mostly occur in private homes; (3) knives and firearms are most often used; (4) infidelity, separation and jealousy are common motives; (5) psychotic disorders, personality disorders and substance use disorders feature prominently. A total of 88% of the sample were found fit to stand trial and 82% were found criminally responsible. Factors significantly associated with being found fit to stand trial and criminally responsible following the forensic psychiatric observation were: male gender, having received a tertiary education, employment prior to the offence, earning a salary of more than R10 000, having no previous psychiatric or medical illness, a positive forensic history, previous intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, indicating a motive for the homicide, having no psychiatric illness at the time of the offence which would impact fitness to stand trial and criminal responsibility.Factors significantly associated with being found not fit to stand trial and not criminally responsible following the forensic psychiatric observation were: female gender, having received a primary education, unemployment prior to the offence, having a previous psychiatric or medical illness, no forensic history, no previous IPV perpetration, not indicating a motive for the homicide, having a psychiatric illness at the time of the offence which would impact fitness to stand trial and criminal responsibility.Conclusion: The characteristics highlighted in this study can contribute to the development of risk assessment tools which can be used to identify likely perpetrators of IPH. Other interventions, for example controlling access to knives and firearms, reducing substance abuse and improving mental health services, are also important in the prevention of IPH.

The Nexus Between Females Who Kill and HIV/AIDS: Exploring the Contributing Factors to This Complex Phenomenon

“…Only Ms. D was aware of AIDS, and she presumed her husband was too (as he was also tested on a regular basis). Research (HIV i-Base, 2016; Valabdass et al, 2021) suggests that it is important to always know your partner’s HIV status, and that it is better to assume they are positive in order not to put yourself at risk as prevention and regular testing are key to effective treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS (Valabdass et al, 2021; Wilson et al, 2008).…”

“…Ms. C was raped by her uncle at the age of 6 years and also emotionally neglected by her mother. Females, and specifically HIV-positive women, display a history of childhood and adulthood sexual abuse (Luyt and Du Preez, 2015; Peltzer, 2013; Valabdass et al, 2021; Walker et al, 2016). Research (Luyt and Du Preez, 2015) on incarcerated women demonstrates that females who were abused as children display psychological problems such as cognitive effects (i.e.…”

“…distrust) and PTSD into adulthood. Other research (Anumba et al, 2012; Callaghan et al, 2018; Hammerton et al, 2019; Hedderman et al, 2011; Lynch et al, 2012; Valabdass et al, 2021) indicates high rates of child abuse and mental health problems with female offenders.…”

“…A displayed a history of promiscuous behaviour that commenced at the age of 14 years, and she had multiple sexual partners. Research (Bui, 2018; CARE, 2004; Hopkins, 2016; Morash et al, 2017; Valabdass et al, 2021; Wise, 2017) argues that due to women’s disadvantaged social and economic backgrounds, women frequently engage in risky sexual behaviours for survival purposes. Carney et al (2019) and Nuytiens (2015) warn about promiscuous behaviour and possible engagement in criminality.…”

“…A South African research, conducted by Valabdass et al (2021) on perpetrators of intimate partner homicides (IPHs), cites a history of violent behaviour, murders occurring in private homes, knives and firearms used as weapons, infidelity, jealousy, separation, personality and psychotic disorders and substance abuse as prominent factors in IPH. Valabdass et al (2021) found that being a female perpetrator of IPH, displaying limited education, unemployment prior to the offence, a history of medical and psychiatric illness and no history of violence, rendered the incarcerated females not fit to stand trial and to be not criminally responsible. In addition, Peltzer (2013) examined the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) in new HIV-positive mothers.…”