The authors document the childhood neuropsychiatric and family
characteristics of nine male subjects who were clinically evaluated as
adolescents and were later arrested for murder. Those subjects are compared
with 24 incarcerated delinquents who did not go on to commit violent
offenses. The future murderers displayed a constellation of biopsychosocial
characteristics that included psychotic symptoms, major neurological
impairment, a psychotic first-degree relative, violent acts during
childhood, and severe physical abuse. The authors relate this combination
of factors to prediction of violence and discuss ethical issues that are
involved in intervention to prevent violence.Abstract Teaser