Papers by Frans Koenraadt
Tijdschrift Over Cultuur Criminaliteit, 2014
Tussen behandeling en straf. Rechtsbescherming en veiligheid in de twintigste eeuw
Cultural Property Crime, 2014
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Two Centuries of Psychiatry and Criminal Law
Law and Mental Health, 1987
International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 1992
Contemporary Crises, 1983
Subtypes of firesetters
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 2015
Prior research has classified firesetters by motive. The multi-trajectory theory of adult fireset... more Prior research has classified firesetters by motive. The multi-trajectory theory of adult firesetting (M-TTAF) takes a more aetiological perspective, differentiating between five hypothesised trajectories towards firesetting: antisocial cognition, grievance, fire interest, emotionally expressive/need for recognition and multifaceted trajectories. The objective of this study was to validate the five routes to firesetting as proposed in the M-TTAF. All 389 adult firesetters referred for forensic mental health assessment to one central clinic in the Netherlands between 1950 and 2012 were rated on variables linked to the M-TTAF. Cluster analysis was then applied. A reliable cluster solution emerged revealing five subtypes of firesetters - labelled instrumental, reward, multi-problem, disturbed relationship and disordered. Significant differences were observed regarding both offender and offence characteristics. Our five-cluster solution with five subtypes of firesetters partially validates the proposed M-TTAF trajectories and suggests that for offenders with and without mental disorder, this classification may be useful. If further validated with larger and more diverse samples, the M-TTAF could provide guidance on staging evidence-based treatment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychology, Crime & Law, 2015
ABSTRACT In the Netherlands pre-trial forensic mental health assessments are conducted to examine... more ABSTRACT In the Netherlands pre-trial forensic mental health assessments are conducted to examine whether a mental disorder was present at the time of the offence that affected the free will of a person, in which case criminal accountability is considered diminished or absent. This study aims to investigate societal changes over time in forensic mental health recommendations in arson cases. 72 reports of male arsonists assessed in 1950-2010 were included in this study, 36 arsonists were assessed in the first time period (1950-1979) and 36 in the second period (1980-2010). Results show an association between DSM classification and the conclusion on criminal accountability only in the first period and an association between recidivism risk and the forensic mental health recommendation only in the later period. It is concluded that mental disorder was of greater influence on the conclusion on accountability in the first time period, whilst dangerousness played a more important role on the forensic mental health recommendation in the later time period. Our findings reflect a shift from paternalistic principles to principles of risk control and show that societal changes influence the field of forensic mental health.
The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 2015
Firesetters with psychotic disorders constitute a distinct and important offender group. However,... more Firesetters with psychotic disorders constitute a distinct and important offender group. However, little is known about how psychotic firesetters differ from non-psychotic firesetters. More knowledge is required in order to treat this particular population effectively. Psychotic (n = 30) and nonpsychotic (n = 94) firesetters of both sexes referred for pre-trial forensic mental health assessment in the Netherlands were compared on sociodemographic, pathological, judicial and event-related characteristics using binary and multivariate statistical tests. Results showed that psychotic firesetters were older, single and unemployed. They had a more extensive history of mental health problems, associated drug use and impaired selfreliance. Opposed to non-psychotic offenders, physical abuse in childhood and alcohol abuse were less prevalent. They had a more extensive history of prior convictions, committed the arsons more often alone and were less often intoxicated. Treatment implications are discussed as focusing treatment on these differences may contribute to treatment efficacy and prevention of recidivism.
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 2009
Homicide-suicides are a rare yet very serious form of interpersonal violence that occur mainly in... more Homicide-suicides are a rare yet very serious form of interpersonal violence that occur mainly in partnerships and families. As both perpetrator and victim die in a homicidesuicide, data sources in previous studies typically lack detailed information. This study overcomes this limitation by making use of homicides followed by a suicide attempt of the perpetrator (homicide-parasuicides). The authors examine to what extent these homicide-parasuicides can be understood as being primarily an expression of homicidal or of suicidal behavior. In total, 77 homicide-parasuicides are compared to 430 homicides and 161 parasuicides. The results show that homicide-parasuicides constitute a different category of lethal violence with regard to demographic, individual, and event-related characteristics. Subanalyses of homicide-parasuicides involving women and children reveal similar differences. The finding that a large majority of the perpetrators were mentally ill, dependent on the victim, and killed when faced with separation from the victim may suggest that increased monitoring of this group might have preventive value.
Homicide of Strangers by People with a Psychotic Illness
Schizophrenia Bulletin, 2011
The homicide of strangers by people with psychosis, referred to here as &... more The homicide of strangers by people with psychosis, referred to here as "stranger homicides," are rare and tragic events that generate adverse publicity for mental health services and have resulted in significant changes in mental health policy and law. To estimate the incidence of stranger homicides, using data from previously published studies, and to compare the characteristics of psychotic offenders who killed strangers with the characteristics of those who killed a close relative. Meta-analysis of the population-based studies of homicide by persons suffering from a psychosis in which the number of subjects who killed strangers was also reported. Characteristics of stranger homicide and family homicide offenders were examined in a multicenter case-control study of homicide during psychotic illness in four high-income countries. A pooled estimate of 1 stranger homicide per 14.3 million people per year (95% confidence interval, 1 in 18.9 million to 1 in 11.5 million people per year) was calculated by meta-analysis of 7 studies. The characteristics of the 42 stranger homicide offenders from New South Wales [NSW], Quebec and Eastern Ontario, Finland, and the Netherlands were identified. Twenty seven (64%) of these had never previously received treatment with antipsychotic medication. The stranger homicide offenders were more likely to be homeless, have exhibited antisocial conduct, and had fewer negative symptoms than those who killed family members. The victims of stranger homicide were mostly adult males and the homicides rarely occurred in the victim's home or workplace. Stranger homicide in psychosis is extremely rare and is even rarer for a patient who has received treatment with antipsychotic medication. A lack of distinguishing characteristics of stranger homicide offenders and an extremely low base rate of stranger-homicide suggests that risk assessment of patients known to have a psychotic illness will be of little assistance in the prevention of stranger homicides.
Psychology, Crime & Law, 1995
The process of conducting forensic mental health assessments of defendants accused of serious cri... more The process of conducting forensic mental health assessments of defendants accused of serious crimes is described and compared as it takes place in two criminal justice systems, i.e., The Netherlands and Massachusetts (U.S.A.). The forensic psychologist's role, contributions, professional status and training are discussed and analyzed.
Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 2007
Background: Homicides followed by the suicide of the perpetrator are a rare yet very serious form... more Background: Homicides followed by the suicide of the perpetrator are a rare yet very serious form of interpersonal violence which occurs mainly in partnerships and families. It typically leads to widespread public interest and unease. No systematic research on homicide suicide has ever been conducted in the Netherlands. Aim: The aim of this study is to describe the nature and incidence of homicide suicide in the Netherlands in the period 1992 2005, using cases reported in both national and regional newspapers. Results: On the basis of newspaper accounts, homicide suicide occurred on average seven times per year during this time period. Spousal/consortial homicide suicide was predominant, followed by homicide suicide involving the perpetrator's own children and familicide suicide. The perpetrators across all categories of homicide suicide were predominantly male; the victims were predominantly women and children. Firearms were used in the majority of the homicides and subsequent suicides. Conclusion: The domestic nature of homicide suicide events is discussed. Future research should aim to incorporate multiple methods in order to assess accurately the epidemiology of homicide suicide in the Netherlands.
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 2008
Background Filicide is the murder of a child by a parent. Historically, fi licide was regarded as... more Background Filicide is the murder of a child by a parent. Historically, fi licide was regarded as a female crime, but nowadays, in the West, men have become increasingly likely to be convicted of killing their child. Previous research on fi licide has primarily focussed on either maternal or paternal fi licide rather than comparing the two. Aim The aim of our study is to examine and compare the socio-demographic, environmental and psychopathological factors underlying maternal and paternal fi licide. Methods Data were extracted from records in a forensic psychiatric observation hospital in Utrecht, in the Netherlands for the period 1953-2004. Results Seventy-nine men and 82 women were detained in the hospital under criminal charges in that period, having killed (132) or attempted to kill (29) their own child(ren). Differences between men and women were found with regard to age, methods of killing and motivation underlying the fi licide. Conclusions The categories of fi licide identifi ed corresponded to those in studies from other countries, indicating that fi licide follows similar patterns throughout the Western world. The fact that 25% of fathers had killed in reaction to threatened separation or divorce, and that over a third of men and more than half of the women were mentally ill at the time may suggest that increased monitoring by primary care physicians under such circumstances might have preventive value.
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 2008
Background Familicides, the killings of multiple family members, are believed to constitute an ov... more Background Familicides, the killings of multiple family members, are believed to constitute an overlap between child homicide (fi licide) and intimate partner homicide (uxoricide). Aim The aim of this paper was to examine and compare the socio-demographic, contextual and psychopathological factors of familicide perpetrators with factors of fi licide and uxoricide perpetrators. Methods Data were extracted from fi les in a forensic psychiatric observation hospital in Utrecht, The Netherlands, for the years 1953-2006. The sample of 536 persons was identifi ed in one of the three categories of interest; 23 were accused of familicide, 133 of fi licide and 380 of uxoricide.
Child Abuse & Neglect, 2010
Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 2010
Background: Homicides followed by the suicide of the perpetrator are a rare yet very serious form... more Background: Homicides followed by the suicide of the perpetrator are a rare yet very serious form of interpersonal violence which occurs mainly in partnerships and families. It typically leads to widespread public interest and unease. No systematic research on homicide suicide has ever been conducted in the Netherlands. Aim: The aim of this study is to describe the nature and incidence of homicide suicide in the Netherlands in the period 1992 2005, using cases reported in both national and regional newspapers. Results: On the basis of newspaper accounts, homicide suicide occurred on average seven times per year during this time period. Spousal/consortial homicide suicide was predominant, followed by homicide suicide involving the perpetrator's own children and familicide suicide. The perpetrators across all categories of homicide suicide were predominantly male; the victims were predominantly women and children. Firearms were used in the majority of the homicides and subsequent suicides. Conclusion: The domestic nature of homicide suicide events is discussed. Future research should aim to incorporate multiple methods in order to assess accurately the epidemiology of homicide suicide in the Netherlands.
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