The Development and Cross-Validation of an MMPI Typology of Murderers

Abstract

A sample of 80 male offenders charged with premeditated murder were divided into five personality types using MMPI scores. A hierarchical clustering procedure was used with a subsequent internal cross-validation analysis using a second sample of 80 premeditated murderers. A Discriminant Analysis resulted in a 96.25% correct classification of subjects from the second sample into the five types. Clinical data from a mental status interview schedule supported the external validity of these types. There were significant differences among the five types in hallucinations, disorientation, hostility, depression, and paranoid thinking. Both similarities and differences of the present typology with prior research was discussed. Additional research questions were suggested.

Classifying homicide offenders and predicting their characteristics from crime scene behavior

“…Several previous studies have attempted to classify homicide offenders, often based on their alleged motive or psychiatric examination (e.g. Fraboni, Cooper, Reed, & Saltstone, 1990;Holcomb, Adams & Ponder, 1985;Petursson & Gudjonsson, 1981;Sannemuller, Ullrich, Pillmann, Draba & Marneros, 1999;Stout, 1991;Wille, 1974). However, these studies have not been designed with investigative considerations in mind and it is, therefore, difficult to apply them in the context of police investigations.…”

Psychological screening of sexually violent offenders with the MCMI

“…Psychological evaluation and screening of violent offenders can be used to (1) assess competency to stand trial or as an aid in the insanity defense (Holcolm, Adams, Ponder, & Anderson, 1984); (2) ascertain the offenders' specific needs for mental health services both within and external to the correctional institution (Megargee & Bohn, 1977); (3) predict future violence, particularly as it relates to recommendations for parole; and (4) investigate the basic differences among subgroups of violent offenders (Anderson & Holcomb, 1983;Armentrout & Hauer, 1978; Erickson, Luxenberg, Walbek, & Seely, 1987;Hall, Graham, & Shepard, 1991;Hall, Maiuro, Vitaliano, & Proctor, 1986;Hall, Shepard, & Mudrak, 1992;Holcomb, Adams, & Ponder, 1985; James & Boake, 1988; Kalichman, 1988Kalichman, , 1990; Kalichman, Szymanowski, McKee, Taylor, & Craig, 1989;Panton, 1958).…”

MMPI‐2 profiles of filicidal, mariticidal, and homicidal women

“…Failure to differentiate mean group profiles, however, also could be due to the heterogeneity within samples of filicidal, mariticidal, and homicidal women. Clinically based typologies of filicidal (Bourget & Bradford, 1990;d'Orban, 1979;Scott, 1973), mariticidal (Barnard, Vera, Vera, & Newman, 1982), and homicidal females (Holcomb et al, 1985) suggest that women who commit such acts are not similar in history, method, or motive.…”

“…MMPI and MMPI-2 studies of men and women charged with murder of partners or non-family victims exist (Aderibigbe & Weston, 1996;Cornell, Miller, & Benedek, 1988;Holcomb, Adams, & Ponder, 1985;Kalichman, 1988;Shea, McKee, & Shea, 1994;Shea, McKee, Shea, & Cook-Culley, 1996;Shondrick, Ben-Porath, & Stafford, 1992;Sutker, Allain, & Geyer, 1978;). Sutker et al (1978), in a study of incarcerated women, compared a group of murderers with a group of "nonviolent" (drug and property) offenders.…”