Motivation and Violence Characteristics of Homicide Perpetration as a Function of Psychopathy

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the characteristics of a large sample of Canadian homicides as a function of psychopathy. Although previous studies have investigated the relationship between psychopathy and criminal behaviour, little is known about the relationship between psychopathy and homicide. One hundred and twenty-five (N = 125) Canadian offenders who had perpetrated a criminal homicide were investigated for several characteristics regarding the nature of, and possible motivations behind, their offence. Results indicated that homicides committed by psychopathic offenders (as measured by the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised; Hare, 1 991) were significantly more instrumental (planned, goal-oriented) relative to non-psychopathic offenders who committed more spontaneous "crimes of passion." In addition, psychopathic offenders were found to exhibit more gratuitous, sadistic, and sexual violence in the commitment of their homicides than non-psychopathic offenders. This research strongly contributes to the scientific understanding of homicidal violence as a function of psychopathy, and could have important implications for homicide investigations.