Exploratory study of the criminal behavior and mental functioning of subjects accused of femicide in Mexico City

Objective To identify the criminal characteristics and mental functioning of the alleged femicides evaluated in a forensic psychiatry service. Methods An observational, descriptive, and retrospective study was carried out, in which 18 psychiatric-legal files of people accused of femicide, evaluated between 2021 and 2023, were analyzed. Mental functioning was classified into 3 symptomatic dimensions (internalization, externalization, and psychosis). Descriptive statistics were used. Results A total of 18 forensic psychiatric records were located. Externalization was the most frequent symptomatic dimension (77.8%), most of those evaluated had a pattern of behavior of envy, resentment, aggression, antisocial behavior, and poor self-regulation. A history of substance use and high schooling were more frequent. Conclusions The subjects evaluated adjust to a pattern of externalizing behavior, it is a phenomenon that must be analyzed from a multifactorial perspective, which includes cultural, gender and individual aspects.