Psychosis and Homicide: A Forensic Study of Individuals with Schizophrenia (Experience of the University Psychiatric Hospital Arrazi Sale)

Objective: This study aims to analyze the sociodemographic, clinical, and criminological characteristics of patients with schizophrenia who commit homicide, providing insights into critical risk factors and informing future interventions. Methods: We examined a sample of patients with schizophrenia who committed homicide, assessing variables such as age, gender, marital status, education level, psychiatric history, substance abuse, clinical characteristics, and details of the homicide act. Results: The majority of patients were male (85%), over 30 years old (70%), and single (65%), with a lower level of education (75%). A high prevalence of psychiatric history (85%) and substance abuse (70%) was observed. Delusions of persecution were present in 65% of the patients at the time of the act. Most homicides involved weapons (40%) or physical force (30%), with family members or acquaintances being the most frequent victims (90%). Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of integrated treatment approaches addressing both psychiatric symptoms and substance abuse. Targeted interventions for managing close personal relationships are crucial in preventing homicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia. Future research should focus on developing standardized risk assessment procedures and exploring long-term outcomes of comprehensive care strategies to enhance public safety.