Serotoninergic dysfunction in the 47, XYY syndrome.

In six XYY patients suffering from aggressiveness and admitted by order of law into a security setting for acts of violence, the estimation of cerebrospinal fluid amine metabolites before and after a probenecid test revealed a clear decrease in the turnover of central serotonin (5-HT) while that of dopamine (DA) was unchanged. The treatment with the 5-HT precursor, L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP), in five of the XYYs resulted in a clinical status equivalent to that observed when the patients were previously treated by conventional neuroleptics.

Homicide by psychotics in France: a five-year study.

Records were reviewed for all psychotics who had been found not responsible for a homicide and admitted to a French state hospital for the criminally insane over a 5-year period (N = 109). Subjects were diagnosed primarily as schizophrenic (N = 64) or paranoid (N = 37). Paranoids were more likely than schizophrenics to have killed a relative or friend rather than a stranger or another mental patient (p less than .05), whereas schizophrenics were more likely than paranoids to have killed a parent than another relative or a friend (p less than .01). Homicide by schizophrenics commonly involved enmeshed parental relationships of delusional proportions; themes of jealously and megalomania predominated in homicides by paranoids.

Arson in mentally ill and criminal populations.

Two groups of adult arsonists, 27 with mental illness and 23 not considered to be mentally ill, were examined for demographic features, premorbid factors, motives, and family background. Almost half (46%) of the mentally ill arsonists were mentally retarded. A large proportion of the not-mentally-ill group committed arson as a "crime of passion," 33% of which occurred under the influence of alcohol. Both groups reported a high proportion of absent fathers and seriously disturbed family relations. The relationship of these acts to sexual impulses was found to be minimal, a finding that contrasts with case report studies.

Recidivism of the criminally insane in France: a 22-year follow-up.

Characteristics of 1096 recidivistic mentally ill criminal offenders admitted to a specialized hospital in France are described. All subjects were mentally ill and had been judged nonresponsible for an act of crime. Crimes against persons (murder or assault) accounted for 42% of the crimes for which these patients were admitted. The remaining causes of admission were crimes against property (theft) and "victimless" crimes. Subject files indicated a wide difference in cause of admission for violent acts among the different diagnostic categories. Although the frequency of readmission and violent acts at readmission did not change for the group as a whole, they did change between admissions for the different diagnostic groups. Results indicate that differences exist between diagnostic categories of mentally ill offenders in terms of not only the type of crime committed but also the likelihood of recidivism.

[Biological and medical genesis of crime (author's transl)]. / La bio-médico-criminogenèse.

The author underlines the variability of crime in time and cultures. This makes it difficult to correlate simply organic factors and criminal behavior. Historical and classical theories in bio-medical genesis of crime are reminded, specially anthropological and typomorphological studies. Then are reviewed modern studies on hereditary factors and chromosomal abnormalities and also ethology and neurophysiology in aggressivity. The main neuropsychiatric factors are listed: mental illnesses, epilepsy, automatical behavior during sleep, alcoholism, drug addiction. Finally, the author emphasizes the multiple determinism in criminal behavior and the continuous relationship between environment and the central nervous system.

[Cytogenic survey of 600 mentally retarded hospitalized patients]. / Enquête cytogénétique chez 600 déficients mentaux d'hôpital psychiatrique.

A collaborative study (including the patients of 4 mental hospitals) was done in an attempt to evaluate the incidence of chromosomic anomalies in a large group of mentally retarded patients. A cytogenetic study was performed in 600 mentally retarded patients selected among 3.311 psychiatric patients. Chromosomic anomalies were found in 54 (9 per cent) mentally retarded patients. There were 43 autosomic anomalies (32 had trisomy 21) and 11 sexual chromosomes anomalies. This large series is consistent with the results found in the litterature. However of interest is the fact that this anomalies were frequently associated with affective deprivation, relational distorsion, disturbed family milieu and low social economic status during childhood.

[Medicopsychosocial syndrome of polygonosomies (XXX, XXY, XYY, syndromes etc...)]. / Le syndrome médicopsychosocial des polygonosomies (syndromes XXX, XXY, XYY, etc...)

This is an attempt to describe a common syndrom of polygonosomy. Medical, psychological and social incidences of XXX, XXY, XYY, genotypes indicate that these chromosomal aberrations share identical features: phenotypic abnormalities (high stature, dermatoglyphes abnormalities), neuropsychic troubles (neurological symptoms and mental fragility) and antisocial tendancy. One can suppose that at least some polygonosomic persons have a minimal brain dysfunction (or damage), which causes more vulnerability to environnement, deprivation and stress. Relational, educational and socio-economical factors appear now to have a marked role in the etiopathogenesis of these psychiatric troubles. Some forensic and ethical problems of human genetic research are reviewed, such as the so-called "criminal chromosome", supplementary Y chromosome, a myth based upon false and premature scientific assertions.

[Homicide is strongly correlated to depression and not to mania]. / L'homicide est fortement corrélé à la dépression et pas à la manie.

Typical manic episodes could be the cause of penal infractions, usually benign. In contrast, forensic studies show a close relationship between depression, suicide and homicide. Killers (16-28%) are often depressed when they commit a crime. In the UK and USA, 4-35% of killers commit suicide immediately after their crime. Assessment of a depressed patient must include an evaluation of the risk of homicide as well as the risk of suicide. The past history of depression and suicidal attempts, the presence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideas, are good predictors of impending danger of aggression and sometimes of homicide.

[TRH test on 6 patients 47, XYZ (author's transl)]. / Epreuve au TRH chez 6 sujets 47, XYY.

A T.R.H. test has been made on 6 patients 47,XYY, living in a psychiatric hospital. The results show a thyroid disease with latent hypothyroidism whose origin seems to be hypothalamic, or pituitary or both.

[Heterogeneity of expert psychiatric conclusions. Study of 101 authors of voluntary homicides]. / Hétérogénéité des conclusions des expertises psychiatriques. Etude chez 101 auteurs d'homicides volontaires.

OBJECTIVES: Specify the prevalence of various mental pathologies observed in authors of voluntary homicides and assess the interest of the psychiatric expertise of these persons. METHODS: The conclusions of the psychiatric expertises of 101 authors of voluntary homicide; condemned (94.20%) or declared irresponsible because of mental or personality disorders (5.80%), in the Court of Appeal of Bordeaux, over a period of 10 years (1989-1999) were analyzed. RESULTS: Several elements were underlined, among which the multiplicity of the diagnoses made by the expert psychiatrists and the large proportion of these criminals suffering from mental pathologies (81.60%), which contrasted with the low percentage of such criminals declared irresponsible (5.80%) or suggesting they might be dangerous (7.80%). DISCUSSION: The use of a standardized classification of mental diseases would provide the members of the jury and the magistrates with a clearer picture of the mental status of criminals. This is essential to avoid that more than 80% of the latter are quoted as exhibiting a mental pathology when the experts present their conclusions.

[Depression and crime. Review of the literature and original cases]. / Dépression et crime. Revue de la littérature et observations originales.

After mentioning the classical studies of Freud, Fenichel, De Greeff and Lagache, the author reviews contemporary works on the following relationships: depression-homicide; murder-suicide. Two cases of familial murder committed during a state of depression are then studied in depth. Two remarks from previous analyses are then made: the underestimation of the factor of depression in the homicidal act; and the need for reforming the practice of penal psychiatric survey. The author concludes that depressive and suicidal tendencies should be included among the best predictors of psychiatric dangerousness.

[Some medico-psychological perspectives on sexual homicides. Three cases]. / De quelques perspectives médico-psychologiques sur les homicides sexuels. Présentation de trois observations.

While sexual murders are widely reported in the media, there are almost no reports on these major crimes in the French medico-psychological literature. After a brief historical and legal overview, the author discusses the forensic definition of sexual homicides, parent-to-child transmission of sexual violence, the distinction between paraphilic and non-paraphilic sexual offenders, criminal affects, and the classification of aggressors in violent homicides. He confirms that particularly violent murderers may be divided into two psychiatric and behavioral categories. Next, the six main causes of sexual homicide are presented together with three clinical observations of such cases: 1) one with homosexual connotations; 2) another through hate for women; 3) and a third where rage was not specifically directed. Finally, the author concludes that there should be systematic criminologic research in France into sexual murders.

[The Kreutzer Sonata or homicidal jealousy according to Tolstoy]. / La Sonate à Kreutzer ou la jalousie homicide selon Tolstoï.

In the first movement (the presto) of Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata there are two strongly opposing themes (positive masculine and negative feminine). Inspired by this confrontation, in his novel "The Kreutzer Sonata", Tolstoï describes the marital conflict that drives the jealous husband, Pozdnychev, to kill his wife whom he believes to be unfaithful. The murderer thinks that his wife, a pianist, is betraying him with a violinist when he discovers them in his home at night. The present paper is a criminological study of this murder brought about by passion. In this novel Tolstoï paints a very realistic picture of the criminal workings of Pozdnychev's mind, the tragic tale of this jealousy is perfectly consistent with the judicial understanding of crimes of passion.

[Classification of voluntary homicides and psychiatry]. / Classification des homicides volontaires et psychiatrie.

The author first reviews the various psychiatric and criminologic classifications of homicides. Then, he examines the FBI classification and points to the fact that the existence or absence of mental disturbances is only rarely mentioned in the description of each category of homicide. Finally, he proposes his own classification of pathologic homicides comprising eight categories: impulsive, crime of passion, sexual, depressive, non delusional psychotic, delusional psychotic, of organic cause, otherwise non-classifiable.

[Introduction to the medico-psychological study of Marie Besnard]. / Introduction a l'étude médico-psychologique de Marie Besnard.

The author carried out a study on the somatic and mental health of Marie Besnard who, having at first been accused of poisoning eleven members of her family, was finally acquitted in 1961. He bases his study on medical reports contained in the case file, which is kept in the Palais de Justice in Bordeaux. In the light of the medical literature, the author criticizes classical psychiatric data concerning poisoners, who, in the main, are hysterical, perverse and unbalanced women. He does not believe that there is a characteristic psychological profile of such criminals. Having described the physical condition of Marie Besnard, the author analyses her psychiatric file. He criticizes the way in which the document was compiled, since in his opinion the three psychiatric experts who consigned it interpreted in an accusatory manner the subjective data of their examination. The author concludes that the penal responsability of a defendant should not be founded on psychological data, but only on objective material proof. The study finishes with the integral text of the Marie Besnard psychiatric report; the reader may therefore form his own opinion on the case.

[The problem of the current rights of mental patients facing commitment and regionalization]. / Le problème des droits actuels des malades mentaux face à l'internement et à la sectorisation.

Remarkably conceived, the law of 30 June 1838 requires only one actualization. It would be necessary to include some provisions there simply reinforcing the legal protection of the insane interned: procedure of habeas corpus, respect of the rights of defence (free communication with counsel). On the other hand, the rights of the mental patients hospitalized in open department in hospitals devoted to the insanes are singularly forgotten. These patients should profit by the same legal protections as the mental patients of psychiatric private clinics and public hospitals others that the particular hospitals for insanes (art. L. 353-2,3,4, code of public health). Lastly, the legislation on the sector should contain a clause pointing out the respect of the ethical principles and fundamental freedoms of the human person.

[Object loss in criminologic psychiatry or passion according to Werther]. / La perte d'objet en clinique criminologique ou la passion selon Werther.

The author's aim is to objectivate the importance of the psychoanalytical concept of "object-loss" in the "criminogenous" passional process, as described by De Greeff. To illustrate his claim, he proceeds to the criminological analysis of Werther, a novel of great psychological realism, by Goethe. He them studies the personality of criminal driven by passion, where borderline and narcissistic features prevail. The object relation with the victim is usually of a narcissistic pregenital type. Any serious threat to this object relation creates a dangerous situation which can resolve in murder, frequently followed by the murderer's suicide. The author finally states that the so-called "passional" crime is not the only form of suicide/homicide, the psychopathology of which involves object-loss. This kind of acting is in fact also observed in melancholia, psychoses and prepsychotic states, depressions with jealousy, borderlines and the actors of "accompanied suicides".

[Memory gaps and hypercomplex automatisms after a single oral dose of benzodiazepines: clinical and medico-legal aspects]. / Lacunes mnésiques et automatismes hypercomplexes après prise orale de benzodiazépines: aspects cliniques et médico-légaux.

From 8 original observations and from an overview of published cases, the authors make out two kinds of mental disorders connected with benzodiazepines use: 1) transient global anterograde amnesia; 2) amnesic complex automatism. Consequences for forensic medicine are finally investigated.

[Neuroticism, existential purpose and self-reinforcement of the ego. Comparative study of delinquents and non-delinquents]. / Névrosisme, signification existentielle et auto-renforcement du moi. Enquête comparative entre délinquants et non-délinquants.

This research attempts to examine a possible connection between neuroticism (level of anxiety) and the meaning of life. A research population composed of 446 people of whom 140 were imprisoned criminals and 306 were non-criminals, was examined. A significant negative correlation was found between the meaning of life and neuroticism, which means that the higher the neuroticism is the lower the meaning of life is. This negative connection was stronger for the criminal group which on the average had a lower score for the meaning of life. According to these results, the processes allowing a positive meaning of life can diminish the effects of psychogenic anxiety. No connection was found between extraversion and the meaning of life. Likewise, socionomic factors did not influence the negative correlation between neuroticism and the meaning of life. In specific cases we found that criminal solutions could be a substitute for the meaning of life.

[Moral judgment and prediction of criminality. Comparative study of delinquents and non-delinquents]. / Jugement moral et prédiction de la criminalité. Etude comparative entre délinquants et non-délinquants.

A group of imprisoned criminals was compared to two groups of not-criminals with regard to five modes of judgment (profile of judgment) measured by Baruk's Tsedek test. The delinquents use more self-interest judgment, social judgment and absence of judgment that the whole of the not-delinquents (significantly different). They more often use the mode of moral judgment than the not-delinquents of the control group (general population) but less often than the not-delinquents of the comparative group (subjects of high educational level and religious for more than half of them). From the profile of judgment obtained for each group, a formula of prediction of tendency to crime was elaborated. It makes it possible to classify with rather good reliability the persons tested in the category of criminals or not-criminals.