Forensic psychiatrists routinely appear in courts for crimes that have been perpetrated by mentally ill patients or when the defendant is suffering from a major psychiatric disorder.However,committing crimes under the...Forensic psychiatrists routinely appear in courts for crimes that have been perpetrated by mentally ill patients or when the defendant is suffering from a major psychiatric disorder.However,committing crimes under the presumed effects of magic and witchcraft is uncommon.A variety of delusional thoughts and personality disorders have been imputed in aggressive behaviour that might culminate in homicide.The patterns of a premeditated homicide,as well as the aberrations of the interpersonal relations,as a rule require long-term and close contact.As such,the family is a setting where such occurrences have been reported.We describe a case of first-degree murder by a woman who killed her mother-in-law after accusing her repeatedly of sorcery and witchcraft.Such complicated cases cannot be resolved without the help of forensic experts,whose role remains multifaceted and of particular importance.展开更多
文摘Forensic psychiatrists routinely appear in courts for crimes that have been perpetrated by mentally ill patients or when the defendant is suffering from a major psychiatric disorder.However,committing crimes under the presumed effects of magic and witchcraft is uncommon.A variety of delusional thoughts and personality disorders have been imputed in aggressive behaviour that might culminate in homicide.The patterns of a premeditated homicide,as well as the aberrations of the interpersonal relations,as a rule require long-term and close contact.As such,the family is a setting where such occurrences have been reported.We describe a case of first-degree murder by a woman who killed her mother-in-law after accusing her repeatedly of sorcery and witchcraft.Such complicated cases cannot be resolved without the help of forensic experts,whose role remains multifaceted and of particular importance.
