Psychopathology and Violent Crime goes to the heart of this controversial and complex subject. Dr. Skodol presents the results of extensive epidemiologic samples and studies of criminal populations on the correlation between crime and mental disorder.

This book takes an uncompromising look at how we define psychopathology and makes the argument that criminal behavior can and perhaps should be considered a disorder. Presenting sociological, genetic, neurochemical, brain-imaging, and psychophysiological evidence, it discusses the basis for criminal behavior and suggests, contrary to popular belief, that such behavior may be more biologically determined than previously thought. Presents a new conceptual approach to understanding crime as a disorder Is the most extensive review of biological predispositions to criminal behavior to date Analyzes the familial and extra-familial causes of crime Reviews the predispositions to crime including evolution and genetics, and the neuropsychological, psychophysiological, brain-imaging, neurochemical, and cognitive factors Presents the practical implications of viewing crime as a psychopathology in the contexts of free will, punishment, treatment, and future biosocial research

When Explorations in Criminal Psychopathology: Clinical Syndromes With Forensic Implications was first published in 1996, the purpose was, in part, to correct an imbalance in the field, specifically with regard to the coverage of the important topic of psychopathology and its relationship to crime. The second edition of this book continues to address the complex approach to this very specific and important aspect of human behavior. Emphasizing on psychopathology from a clinical phenomenological perspective, with legal issues and implications playing a secondary role, an impressive group of contributors explores various disorders that have significant forensic implications. Each deals with a specific disorder or pathological process in terms of its potential relevance to criminal forensic practice. Updated and expanded articles approach these complexities largely from a psychodynamic perspective that also addresses the biological, psychological and environmental aspects of behavior. The book is divided into three parts: Part I includes five different types of psychopathology that lead to distinct overt types of behavior. Part II provides discussions of various disorders of thought resulting in criminal conduct, but not disordered thinking indicative of a formal thought disorder per se. Part III concerns borderline and psychotic-like conditions as well as malingering and deception, which are important topics in forensic practice. This book meets a need in scientific literature as a significant resource for clinicians that are confronted with rare, unusual, or novel disorders whose potential implications have been less well studied and are therefore less apparent and familiar.

While the link between crime and schizophrenia has been noted for almost a century, it is only recently that research has provided convincing, broad-based evidence for this association. This advance in knowledge also brings with it the troublesome danger that schizophrenia patients could be doubly-stigmatised in society: they suffer from a serious mental illness and furthermore they are potentially dangerous. This understandable fear has both lead to significant resistance in accepting that the crime -- schizophrenia relationship truly exists. While well-meaning, this resistance has resulted in three unfortunate consequences. First, by not recognising that the relationship exists, the comorbid antisocial and violent behaviour of schizophrenia patients has gone unchecked, and consequently the stigma associated with this comorbidity goes on unabated. Second, research in this area has become almost fixated on the simple establishment of a link between the two conditions, and has not moved on to more important research that could help develop new perspectives on the nature of the crime -- schizophrenia relationship in a way which will significantly benefit our understanding and treatment of both conditions. Frustratingly, we actually know surprisingly little about the crime -- schizophrenia relationship. The third and more indirect consequence is that the issue of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder in antisocial criminal populations is almost entirely ignored. Such individuals literally fall between the cracks in both the mental health system and the criminal justice system. For these reasons, it is argued that ignoring or denying the crime -- schizophrenia relationship ultimately does more harm than good. The main goal of this book is to stimulate a new generation of research on the crime -- schizophrenia relationship which could benefit not just individuals with these two conditions, but also society in general. Going beyond the fundamental issue of whether there is a relationship between crime and schizophrenia, contributors to this book both outline risk factors for crime and schizophrenia and also develop hypotheses on which factors may give rise to both conditions, and hence in part explain the comorbidity issue. Furthermore, contributors go on to outlining intervention and prevention programs for not just crime and schizophrenia, but also for both conditions simultaneously. -- From the Preface

The past quarter-century has witnessed a dramatic upsurge of violent crime in the United States and abroad. In this country, the rise in violent criminal activity has been consistently documented in such published accounts as the Uniform Crime Reports and the Statistical Handbook on Violence in America, published by the FBI and the Vio lence Research Group, respectively. Further, social scientists-particularly those working in the fields of sociology and psychology-have provided a convergence of findings attesting to the magnitude of one of today's most significant social problems: domestic violence (e. g. , spouse, child, and elder abuse). Such efforts have served as the impetus for heightened clinical and investigative activity in the area of violent be havior. Indeed, a wide range of mental health experts (such as psychologists, psychi atrists, social workers, counselors, and rehabilitation specialists) have endeavored to focus on strategies and issues in research and treatment for violent individuals and their victims. The purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive and timely examination of current psychological approaches with violent criminal offenders. Despite the fact that we continue to have much to learn about perpetrators of violent acts, in recent an increasingly large body of empirical data have been adduced about this years issue. However, these data generally have appeared in disparate journals and books. That being the case, it is our belief that such a handbook now is warranted.

A detailed and systematic 1973 account of the extent to which mentally abnormal offenders are likely to commit violent crimes, based upon a study of all the 533 men and women in the Federal German Republic from 1955 to 1964 who were detained in hospitals after committing homicide or near-homicide.

Psychopathy remains one of the least understood personality disorders and one of the most intransigent to therapeutic amelioration. Encompassing all the significant viewpoints regarding the nature of psychopathic personalities, this volume surveys current typologies and treatment approaches.

Trauma, Psychopathology, and Violence: Causes, Correlates, or Consequences critically examines correlates, consequences, and potential causal relationships involving trauma, psychopathology, and violence. The authors address methodological and theoretical challenges to understanding the interrelationships among trauma, psychopathology, and violence from the perspective of their own research fields. Chapters focus on different types of traumas, traumas occurring at different developmental stages and in different contexts, and the contributions of biological and genetic factors in understanding psychopathology and violence. Each of the chapters offers recommendations for needed research. The book is divided into six topical areas: (1) Setting the context; (2) Biological and genetic factors in understanding trauma, psychopathology and violence; (3) Trauma in childhood and risk of psychopathology and violence; (4) Culture and community context in understanding trauma, psychopathology, and violence; (5) Responses to disasters and terrorism; and (6) Trauma, psychopathology, and violence in the military. The third volume in the American Psychopathological Association series, Trauma, Psychopathology, and Violence is a much needed addition to the scholarship of the mental health consequences of violence and trauma.

Trauma, Psychopathology, and Violence: Causes, Causes, Consequences, or Correlates? critically examines correlates, consequences, and potential causal relationships involving trauma, psychopathology, and violence. The authors address methodological and theoretical challenges to understanding the interrelationships among trauma, psychopathology, and violence from the perspective of their own research fields. Chapters focus on different types of traumas, traumas occurring at different developmental stages and in different contexts, and the contributions of biological and genetic factors in understanding psychopathology and violence. Each of the chapters offers recommendations for needed research. The book is divided into six topical areas: (1) Setting the context; (2) Biological and genetic factors in understanding trauma, psychopathology and violence; (3) Trauma in childhood and risk of psychopathology and violence; (4) Culture and community context in understanding trauma, psychopathology, and violence; (5) Responses to disasters and terrorism; and (6) Trauma, psychopathology, and violence in the military. The third volume in the American Psychopathological Association series, Trauma, Psychopathology, and Violence is a much needed addition to the scholarship of the mental health consequences of violence and trauma.

Adrian Raine Department of Psychology. University of Southern California. USA Jose Sanmartin Queen Sojia Center for the Study of Violence. Valencia. Spain The problems that psychopathic and violent offenders create for society are not restricted to North America. Instead, these offenders create havoc throughout the world, including Europe. In recognition of this fact, Queen Sophia of Spain has promoted a Center for the Study of Violence which recognizes both biological and social contributions to the cause of violence. In November 1999, the Queen Sofia Center for the Study of Violence held its IV International Meeting on the Biology and Sociology of Violence. This fourth Meeting, which was under the Honorary Presidency of H. M. The Queen of Spain, examined the biological, psychological and social aspects of the psychopath, the violent offender, and the serial killer. This book presents some of the key contributions made at that conference and which were first published in Spanish in 2000 by Ariel Press. A key thrust of this book, and a stance shared by all of its contributors, is the notion that violence and psychopathy simply cannot be understood solely, or even fundamentally, in terms of social and environmental forces and influences. Nor do biological factors offer an exclusive explanation.