The relationship between mental disorders and crime represents a thoroughly studied area of academic research. Existing studies indicate that multiple risk factors contribute to the development of antisocial and deviant behavior, including mental disorders. Furthermore, the diagnosis of a mental disorder was associated with a higher risk of homicide, which is defined as a crime against life and body of an individual. The aim of my research was to analyze the characteristics of homicidal acts, commited by perpetrators with mental disorders in Slovenia. In addition, I examined whether perpetrators differ in personal, situational and clinical factors, depending on the presence of mental disorder. The study included 461 subjects, who commited homicide between 1991 and 2015. Mentally disordered homicide offenders attained a higher level of education and came from a better social and economic background, but they were also more often single and childless. They were less frequently convicted of a previous crime and rarely intoxicated during the crime. Most often, a knife or other sharp object was used to kill a friend or acquaintance and previous conflicts were the most common motive. Offenders diagnosed with personality disorders represented the largest group. They were also the youngest, they came from socially and economically most disadvantaged background and were most often convicted of a previous crime. Findings of my master's thesis can contribute to the development of prevention programs for identifying high-risk individuals and to assist law enforcement professionals, as well as providing a basis for further research in this area.
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