Multiple homicide: a descriptive study of serial homicide and mass murder in England and Wales
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Authors
Flynn, S., Ibrahim, S., Tham, S.-G., Turnbull, P., Kapur, N., Appleby, L. and Shaw, J.
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Issue Date
05/07/2024
Type
Journal Article
Language
Keywords
Mental Health
Alternative Title
Abstract
Homicide involving multiple victims is relatively rare in England and Wales. When it does occur, mental illness is assumed to have played a significant role. However, reliable evidence to support this is often lacking. We aimed to describe the prevalence of multiple homicide and its subgroups: serial murder, mass murder and familicide and the presence of mental disorder. Data were obtained from the Home Office, HM Court Service, the Police National Computer and NHS Trusts. In England and Wales 470 killed multiple victims between 1997 and 2018. Most did not have evidence of mental health symptoms at the time of offence (85%) or a recorded history of mental disorder (69%). Mental disorder was also not found in most serial homicides (90%), mass murders (94%), or familicides (70%). A tenth of all multiple homicide perpetrators had been under the care of mental health services a year before the incident. This finding challenges commonly held views about mental disorders and the stigma that is perpetuated when multiple-victim homicides occur. Low prevalence and low levels of contact with mental health services make preventing multiple homicide difficult. Reducing violence across society by adopting a multi-agency public health approach is recommended.
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Citation
Flynn, S., Ibrahim, S., Tham, S. G., Turnbull, P., Kapur, N., Appleby, L., & Shaw, J. (2024). Multiple homicide: a descriptive study of serial homicide and mass murder in England and Wales. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 35(5), 727–743. https://doi.org/10.1080/14789949.2024.2374763
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Journal
The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology
Volume
35
Issue
5