#FBI
share.google/aimode/xkNJNwrD…
Killings and mental dissociation
it can be a risk factor for committing violence, and it is a common psychological response after a violent or traumatic act. This relationship is a significant topic in forensic psychiatry and can affect legal proceedings.Mental dissociation is linked to killings in two key ways:
Dissociation as a risk factor for homicide
Research shows that higher levels of dissociation are associated with increased violence across different populations. Long-term dissociative processes may make individuals more prone to violent behavior, including homicide.
Forensic experts have identified several “dissociative pathways” that may lead to homicide, including:
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): In some cases, the violence may be expressed through a specific, dissociated personality state (formerly known as “multiple personality disorder”).
Fantasy-driven violence: This involves violence connected to a fantasy world, often with some form of identity alteration.
Paroxysms of “dissociative rage”: This refers to sudden, violent outbursts in individuals who typically present as meek or polite. This is also called “overcontrolled hostility”.
Trauma-based emotional numbing: Dissociation can cause emotional numbing similar to that seen in some individuals with psychopathy, potentially lowering inhibitions against committing violence.
Dissociation as a response to killing
Dissociation can occur during or after a violent event as a psychological defense mechanism against severe trauma. This is especially true for violent crimes that are unplanned and committed in a heightened emotional state.
Common dissociative responses include:
Peritraumatic dissociation: The perpetrator may experience symptoms like depersonalization (feeling detached from one’s body) or derealization (feeling that the world is unreal) during the violent act.
Amnesia for the event: Offenders sometimes report partial or total amnesia for the crime. This is claimed in up to one-third of homicides. This “dissociative amnesia” can help a person mentally escape the horror of the event.
Guilt and moral injury: Among soldiers, killing in war is associated with mental health consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), peritraumatic dissociation, guilt, and shame.
Legal and forensic implications
The presence of dissociation in an offender has significant legal and forensic implications:
Determining criminal responsibility: The legal system must grapple with how a dissociative state or a diagnosed disorder like DID affects an individual’s criminal responsibility.
Assessments are complex: The complexity lies in connecting the offender’s reported symptoms to specific clinical diagnoses and legal constructs, such as fitness to stand trial or diminished capacity.
System accountability: In cases of DID, while an “alter personality” may have committed the crime, the legal system generally holds the person accountable for the actions of their entire system.— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Sep 15, 2025
Categories