Search

Over a decade ago the present author presented some comments on homicide inquiries in this journal. Since then there have been a number of important developments, including the increase in the number of such inquiries and changes in their constitution and functions. A somewhat neglected area has been soliciting the views of those who chair such inquiries. The present contribution endeavours to remedy this deficiency.

The development of the concept, causes and management of severe (psychopathic) personality disorder is reviewed against the current background of government concern about the activities of a small group of individuals alleged to be showing the disorder to a dangerous degree. The authors acknowledge the problems involved in 'labelling' the disorder. The term psychopathic has a somewhat chequered history. It did not enter U.K. legislation until the Mental Health Act 1959. To this extent, it is a legal term and does not equate to any exact degree with the clinical descriptions currently in use. However, the term 'psychopathic disorder' will be used as a kind of shorthand for variants in everyday use. It is important to note that in this contribution we are only considering those 'psychopaths' who have come to the attention of the criminal justice and mental health systems. There are also 'psychopaths' who, for a variety of reasons, have not come to official attention and a recent contribution by Board and Fritzon (2005) highlights some interesting common characteristics in business managers and a sample of forensic patients detained in high security establishments.

Two earlier contributions to this journal on the topic of 'dangerous behaviour' are updated in the light of recent theoretical and practical developments in the assessment and management of risk in criminal justice and psychiatry. Such assessment and management need to be viewed against the background of current over-preoccupation with avoiding the hazards of daily living.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of working for over 50 years in the fields of criminal justice and forensic psychiatry.

The December 2006 edition of Probation Journal contained an article by David Smith entitled 'Making sense of psychoanalysis in criminological theory and probation practice'. This paper attempts to extend the parameters of Smith's discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are three themes in this short paper. First, a brief historical context; second, the semantics of 'dangerousness' and 'risk'; third, some issues that emerge from recent inquiries into homicides committed by persons known to the psychiatric service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is an abundance of literature dealing with the techniques of work with offenders and offender-patients, less attention has been paid to alternative and additional means of invoking empathy and insight into behaviours that often produce anxiety, confusion and, on occasion, abhorrence. This article attempts to redress the balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]