Older people guilty of murder or manslaughter
are mainly men who kill their wives, using either a blunt or a
sharp instrument, according to new research.
The study was carried out as part of the
National Confidential Enquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People
with Mental Illness. The only previous studies examining homicide
by older people were conducted in the USA.
47 homicides were committed in England and
Wales by people over the age of 60 between 1996 and 2001. 56% of
offenders had a mental illness at the time of the offence, with
depression being the most common diagnosis (31%). Rates of
schizophrenia, alcohol abuse and drug use among perpetrators were
low.
Compared with people who commit homicide and
are aged from 60-64, those over 65 are significantly more likely to
have killed their spouse and to be given a sentence of manslaughter
by diminished responsibility.
There was evidence that only half of
perpetrators aged over 65 were assessed by an old age
psychiatrist.
The researchers comment that there is evidence
to suggest that the reasons for, and circumstances of, homicides
perpetrated by older people are different from those committed by
younger people.
The findings of this study may be important
for future mental health services development.
For further information, please contact Liz Fox or Deborah
Hart in the Communications Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127
References:
Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Annual Meeting, Imperial College London 1 - 4 July 2008