Determining the Frequency of Mental Disorders Among the Perpetrators of Murder Introduced to Forensic Medicine in Isfahan, Iran From 2012 to 2022

 Recent research indicates that the prevalence of mental disorders among murder perpetrators is significantly higher than in the general population. This study aims to determine the frequency of major mental disorders among individuals who murdered with discernment compared to those who did so without discernment.

 This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study examined murder prisoners referred to the Forensic Medicine Department of Isfahan Province from 2012 to 2022. criminal and clinical records and psychological and psychiatric evaluations were reviewed and completed a necessary checklist for data collection. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, employing chi-square tests at a significance level of 0.05.

 A total of 83 cases were analyzed, revealing that 61.45% of the perpetrators exhibited discernment at the time of the murder, while 38.55% were assessed as having severe mental disorders. The overall frequency of major mental disorders among the studied group was 73.49%. The most prevalent disorders identified included bipolar disorder, delirium disorder, schizophrenia, and psychosis. There was a significant relationship between the absence of discernment during the commission of murder and the determination of criminal responsibility (P<0.05).

 The findings suggest that serious mental disorders are present among perpetrators with discernment abilities. While some mental disorders share similarities with the legal concept of insanity, none fully align with this definition. To mitigate the occurrence of murders, it is crucial to make informed decisions regarding the criminal responsibility of murderers based on insights from psychologists and psychiatrists.