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Fulltext Mechanical profiles of murder and murderers: An extensive review

Kamaluddin MR, Md Shariff NS, Mat Saat GA

Malays J Pathol, 2018 Apr;40(1):1-10.
PMID: 29704379 MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: Murder is an extreme form of violent crime which occurs across all social, cultural, and ethnic spheres. It is therefore, crucial to understand the nature and the extent of mechanical profiles of murder and murderers. The purpose of this article is to review such critical aspects of murder in a nutshell.
METHODS: An archival research methodology was employed in this study where relevant search for literatures on these mechanical aspects related to murder was made across search engines such as Google Scholar and Elsevier with relevant articles selected for this review.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This review discusses in an in-depth manner, pivotal mechanical profiles which include motives, methods of killing, choice of weapon, settings, targeted body parts, and murder victim concealment. In-depth understanding of each mechanical aspect offers an opportunity to the public at large to expand their knowledge on murder prevention manners which is vital for crime prevention efforts in the future.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide*
Fulltext Suicide: What the General Public and the Individual Should Know

Pridmore S, Money TT, Pridmore W

Malays J Med Sci, 2018 Mar;25(2):15-19.
PMID: 30918451 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2018.25.2.2

Background: The predominant, current western view is that all suicide is the result of mental disorder. This view is much too narrow and does not admit extensive information regarding the social, economic, and forensic factors (among many others) which may contribute to completed suicide. A consequence of this narrow view is that prevention strategies mainly focus on the detection and treatment of mental disorder. A preferred approach is to place greater emphasis on public health approaches to suicide prevention.
Objective: To develop and suggest a body of information which may be useful in a public health approach to suicide.
Conclusion: It is suggested that the following be available to the general public: i) suicide is a fact of life which should be minimised, ii) suicide has many different triggers, iii) most people who take their lives are able to make decisions, and iv) increased public discussion and understanding of suicide is desirable. Five pieces of information that may be useful to those contemplating suicide include: i) don't murder the part of you that wants to live, ii) suicide actions may leave you alive but disabled, iii) suicide hurts other people, iv) suicidal impulses do pass if you hold on, and v) suicide is a waste.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide
[From running amok to mass shootings: a psychopathological perspective]

Eytan A

Rev Med Suisse, 2019 Sep 18;15(663):1671-1674.
PMID: 31532119

The expression « To run amok » describes bouts of murderous madness. This clinical entity was originally described in the Malay Peninsula. Associated with a form of exoticism, literary and historical descriptions are available. For about twenty years, amok has been included in psychiatric classifications as a culture-bound syndrome. In the last quarter of the 20th century, some parallels were observed between amok and mass shootings. Although the weapon of choice has changed from dagger to gun, common traits are clearly identifiable. Anger, feelings of prejudice and paranoid thoughts -dominate the picture. The absence of an ideological claim distinguishes the mass shooter from the terrorist. The psychiatrist may have a role in prevention, but these acting outs -remain difficult to anticipate.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide/psychology
Fulltext The Psychology of Murder Concealment Acts

Kamaluddin MR, Mahat NA, Mat Saat GA, Othman A, Anthony IL, Kumar S, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 03 18;18(6).
PMID: 33803514 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18063113

The escalating trend of murder victim concealment worldwide appears worrying, and literature does not reveal any specific study focusing on victim concealment amongst convicted male Malaysian murderers. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the psychological traits that may underlie the act of murder concealment in Malaysia via mixed method approaches. Male murderers (n = 71) from 11 prisons were selected via purposive sampling technique. In the quantitative analysis, a cross-sectional study design using the validated questionnaire was used. The questionnaire contained murder concealment variables and four Malay validated psychometric instruments measuring: personality traits, self-control, aggression, and cognitive distortion. The independent sample t-tests revealed the significantly higher level of anger in murderers who did not commit concealment acts (8.55 ± 2.85, p < 0.05) when compared with those who did so (6.40 ± 2.64). Meanwhile, the Kruskal-Wallis H test revealed that anger and the personality trait of aggressiveness-hostility significantly varied across the different groups of murder concealment acts (p < 0.05). The qualitative data obtained via the in-depth interviews revealed two important themes for the murderers to commit murder concealment acts: (1) fear of discovery and punishment and (2) blaming others. These findings discussed from the perspectives of the murderers within the context of criminology and psychology may provide the first ever insight into the murder concealment acts in Malaysia that can benefit the relevant authorities for crime prevention and investigation efforts.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide*
Cadaver wrapping and arrival performance of adult flies in an oil palm plantation in northern Peninsular Malaysia

Ahmad A, Ahmad AH, Dieng H, Satho T, Ahmad H, Aziz AT, et al.

J Med Entomol, 2011 Nov;48(6):1236-46.
PMID: 22238885

There is accumulating evidence that criminals wrap dead bodies in an attempt to conceal evidence. To anticipate the forensic implications of this phenomenon, we examined whether flies that are naturally associated with cadavers exhibit a delay in attendance or differ in species composition and abundance patterns because of the presence of wrapping material. Wrapped and exposed carcasses of dead monkeys placed in an oil plantation in Kedah, Malaysia, were visited over 50 d. On daily visits to each of the six carcasses, visiting adult flies were sampled using hand nets. Flies of 12 families were encountered. Calliphoridae (Chrysomya rufifacies Macquart and C. megacephala (F.) was the most prevalent family, followed by Sphaeroceridae. Some families tended to be more abundant in WRCs (i.e., Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Phoridae), whereas others (i.e., Piophilidae, Sepsidae, and Psychodidae) were more prevalent in exposed carcasses. Wrapping delayed the arrival of all fly species encountered, with delays varying from 1 to 13 d depending on species. Wrapping did not affect species composition of flies, but prolong the occurrence of some species. The results of the current study emphasize the need to take into consideration the presence of a wrap when estimating postmortem interval.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide*
Fulltext A review of farm tractor overturning accidents and safety

Mohammed Shu'aibu Abubakar, Desa Ahmad, Akande, Bukola Fatai

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2010;18(2):-.
MyJurnal

Tractor rollover occurs when a tractor tips sideways or backwards and overturns, potentially crushing the operator. Rollovers are typically considered to occur more frequently during a sharp turn at a high speed on sloping terrains, although data show that rollovers do occur on flat land after hitting obstacles or through inappropriate use and hitching of implements. It is important to highlight that tractor overturns are the major cause of death in farm operations. The overturns are as a result of interactions between the tractor operator, the tractor and the environment. A review of the relevant literature reveals that more than 800 people are killed each year in tractor accidents, and for every person killed, at least 40 others are injured. This paper focuses on tractor overturns because they account for more than half of all the tractor-related deaths. In addition, farm tractor operational safety principles are also highlighted.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide
Fulltext Impact of turmoil on the health care delivery system in Kashmir” Kashmir, heaven on earth?

Yousuf, R.M., Kausar, R.

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2006;5(2):1-7.
MyJurnal

Restrictive dietetic practices, rather than helping the patient, reduce his food intake and thereby impair recovery. This is a cruelty born-of erroneous notion passed on to us as a legacy from hakims and vaids (quakes), rather than having any scientific justification. Even if some doctors do not entertain such restrictions, the so called well-wishers of patients will definitely offer free advice and impose food restrictions upon their patients. Everybody has his own share of bitter experiences, horrific memories, and heart-rending stories of the past. The chain of death and destruction remains unbroken. The gloomy, dark sky is waiting for break of a new dawn gone into eclipse years before. The ongoing Indo- Pak peace process has already resulted in a number of confidence- building measures, but in spite of all that an average of five persons each day are being killed in terror-related incidents across the State. A tricky situation prevails in which militants and security forces are pitted against each other, converting the streets, the lanes and by-lanes, and human settlements in to a well-entrenched battle ground. Innocent Kashmir’s are dying, getting maimed, and suffering mental agony and the world is watching with a nonchalant indifference.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide
Psychological markers underlying murder weapon profile: a quantitative study

Kamaluddin MR, Othman A, Ismail KH, Mat Saat GA

Malays J Pathol, 2017 Dec;39(3):217-226.
PMID: 29279583 MyJurnal

The horrific nature of murder using different types of weapons has been an important focal point of many criminological studies. Weapons that are used in murders seem to play dominant roles in murder investigations as they may provide information leading to arrest. The established factors for weapon usage include environmental context, demography and availability of weapons. However, there is insufficient research attention on the psychological functioning of murderers for particular weapon usage. In light of this, the current study seeks to narrow this gap of information by identifying the influences of psychological traits on weapon usage among a sample of male murderers. The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 71 male murderers incarcerated in 11 prisons within Peninsular Malaysia. The selection of the sample was based on predetermined selection criteria using a purposive sampling method. A guided self-administered questionnaire comprising sociodemography variables and four Malay validated psychometric instruments: Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire-40-Cross-Culture, Self-control Scale, "How I Think" Questionnaire and Aggression Questionnaire; was used. Independent sample t-test was performed to establish the mean score differences of psychological traits between the murderers who used single and multiple weapons while Kruskal-Wallis tests were carried out to ascertain the differences between the specific types of weapons used among the murderers. Following this, one-way ANOVA was carried out to ascertain the psychological trait differences among the murderers according to the different sources of weapon. Results indicated specific psychological traits influenced the number(s), source(s) and type(s) of weapon used in committing murder. The findings have implications for the psychological profiling of unknown murderers within the Malaysian context.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide/psychology*
Fulltext Morbid jealousy reactivated by mood episodes

Masiran R, Hussin NS

BMJ Case Rep, 2018 Jan 17;2018.
PMID: 29348292 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2017-223430

A middle-aged man who has been enduring financial constraint experienced a period of irritability, increased goal-directed activities and insomnia occurring along with extreme jealousy with his current wife. The episode was followed by depressed mood and non-prominent auditory hallucination. His previous history revealed a forensic psychiatry case of a murder he committed 20 years ago.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide/psychology*
The amok syndrome in Papua and New Guinea

Burton-Bradley BG

Med J Aust, 1968 Feb 17;1(7):252-6.
PMID: 5642836
Matched MeSH terms: Homicide*
On the epidemicity of Amok violence

Westermeyer J

Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 1973 Jun;28(6):873-6.
PMID: 4707993
Matched MeSH terms: Homicide*
Fulltext Psychological traits underlying different killing methods among Malaysian male murderers

Kamaluddin M, Shariff NS, Nurfarliza S, Othman A, Ismail KH, Mat Saat GA

Malays J Pathol, 2014 Apr;36(1):41-50.
PMID: 24763234 MyJurnal

Murder is the most notorious crime that violates religious, social and cultural norms. Examining the types and number of different killing methods that used are pivotal in a murder case. However, the psychological traits underlying specific and multiple killing methods are still understudied. The present study attempts to fill this gap in knowledge by identifying the underlying psychological traits of different killing methods among Malaysian murderers. The study adapted an observational cross-sectional methodology using a guided self-administered questionnaire for data collection. The sampling frame consisted of 71 Malaysian male murderers from 11 Malaysian prisons who were selected using purposive sampling method. The participants were also asked to provide the types and number of different killing methods used to kill their respective victims. An independent sample t-test was performed to establish the mean score difference of psychological traits between the murderers who used single and multiple types of killing methods. Kruskal-Wallis tests were carried out to ascertain the psychological trait differences between specific types of killing methods. The results suggest that specific psychological traits underlie the type and number of different killing methods used during murder. The majority (88.7%) of murderers used a single method of killing. Multiple methods of killing was evident in 'premeditated' murder compared to 'passion' murder, and revenge was a common motive. Examples of multiple methods are combinations of stabbing and strangulation or slashing and physical force. An exception was premeditated murder committed with shooting, when it was usually a single method, attributed to the high lethality of firearms. Shooting was also notable when the motive was financial gain or related to drug dealing. Murderers who used multiple killing methods were more aggressive and sadistic than those who used a single killing method. Those who used multiple methods or slashing also displayed a higher level of minimisation traits. Despite its limitations, this study has provided some light on the underlying psychological traits of different killing methods which is useful in the field of criminology.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide/psychology*
Condom-murder

Murty OP

J Forensic Leg Med, 2009 Jan;16(1):35-9.
PMID: 19061848 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2008.05.017

Condom-murder is term used to describe a homicide where a person has been killed due to his recreational sexual behaviour and the killing has strong links with the recovered condom/contraceptive material on the scene or was in personal possession of victim. It can provide immediate clue about perpetrator. We present six cases of a similar nature. Four males and two females had condoms in their vicinity at crime scene. All incidents occurred at different timings and different places but there was striking similarity in method of killing. In four cases hands were tied on the back in three cases; similarly legs were also tied in three cases. In three cases strong electric cords were used. The presence of condoms give clue for investigation, possibility of DNA identification, about type of sexual behaviour as recreational and commercial method in these cases.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide*
Fulltext A case report of a patient involved in an alleged homicide-attempted suicide case - a theoretical discussion on the theory of homicide-suicide

Ahmad Nabil, M.R., Suarn, S.

Medicine & Health, 2015;10(2):141-145.
MyJurnal

This case report stresses the role of depression in the manifestation of a homicide-attempted suicide. We report the case of a man who allegedly murdered his partner and then attempted suicide. Previously, he had several failures and rejections in relationships in addition to work-related stress. He was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and treated with antidepressant. The scarcity of homicide-attempted suicide as exemplified in this case could give an insight to the Psychiatrist for better understading and possible prevention.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide
"Nobody came to help": interviews with women convicted of filicide in Malaysia

Razali S, Fisher J, Kirkman M

Arch Womens Ment Health, 2019 02;22(1):151-158.
PMID: 29569042 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-018-0832-3

Although filicide is of serious concern, it is poorly understood in Malaysia. Our interviews with health and policy professionals revealed that they attribute responsibility for filicide to women's failure to comply with social norms and religious teachings. This research sought to understand the meaning of and background to filicide from the perspectives of women who have been convicted of filicide in Malaysia. In-depth interviews were conducted in person with all eligible and consenting women convicted of filicide and incarcerated in prisons or forensic psychiatric institutions. Women's accounts were translated into English and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and interpreted using narrative theory. Interviews with nine women convicted of filicide yielded evidence that others were implicated in the crime but punished less severely, if at all, and that the women had experienced lifelong gender-based violence and marginalisation with minimal access to health and social care. These findings illuminate an inadequately understood phenomenon in Malaysia and reveal why existing strategies to reduce filicide, which reflect key stakeholders' views, have had little impact. They reveal the pervasive harm of violence against women and children and its link to filicide.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide/psychology*; Homicide/statistics & numerical data
Amok

Kon Y

Br J Psychiatry, 1994 Nov;165(5):685-9.
PMID: 7866687

BACKGROUND: Amok is reviewed from a historical standpoint, tracing how it has changed from the Hindu states of India where it was a war tactic to the sudden incomprehensible violence and mass murder by a single individual associated with the syndrome today.
METHOD: A typical amok attack is described and the criteria for amok discussed. Amok in Malaysia, New Guinea, Laos, North America and other countries are presented. The possible motives for such violent killings and a possible psychiatric diagnosis in relation to contemporary diagnostic criteria is discussed.
CONCLUSION: Classification of amok remains unresolved. The reason for its frequency in and around Malaysia remains unknown.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide/history*; Homicide/psychology
[Stability of the "amok runner syndrome"]

Adler L, Marx D, Apel H, Wolfersdorf M, Hajak G

Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr, 2006 Oct;74(10):582-90.
PMID: 16586259

Running amok is considered a rare but dangerous act of violence which has been investigated predominantly on a case by case basis. German-wide data on amok cases covering the decades 1980 - 1989 and 1991 - 2000 were used to perform the first epidemiological study world-wide on the stability of socio-demographic, criminological and psychiatric variables of amok behaviour.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide/psychology; Homicide/statistics & numerical data
Fulltext Pattern of homicidal deaths autopsied at Penang Hospital, Malaysia, 2007-2009: a preliminary study

Bhupinder S, Kumara TK, Syed AM

Malays J Pathol, 2010 Dec;32(2):81-6.
PMID: 21329178 MyJurnal

This article describes the homicide pattern in Penang Island, Malaysia over a three-year period (2007-2009). 65 homicide autopsies were performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Penang Hospital over the study period. The homicide rates ranged from 0.01 to 0.09/1000 population, the highest being in the Indian ethnic group. The majority (37%) of victims were in the 20-39 years age group. The male: female ratio was 3:1. The majority of deaths were caused by blunt instruments (46%), followed by stab/slash wounds (25%) and asphyxiation (12%). 63% of homicides occurred in areas served by the police stations at Jalan Patani (23.1%), Sg. Nibong (16.9%), Central (12.3%) and Bayan Lepas (10.9%). 56 (86%) victims were brought in dead to the hospital, while 9 (14%) died after admission. Most (39%) incidences occurred in the morning. The methods of homicide were different from Kuala Lumpur, another highly urbanised area of Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide/ethnology; Homicide/statistics & numerical data*
Association of the drug of abuse in road traffic collision death in Hospital Kuala Lumpur

Subramaniam K, Mohd Shah M, Fatin Farisha F, Poh SL, Nor Fadhilah M, Hilmi S

Med J Malaysia, 2018 10;73(5):272-275.
PMID: 30350803 MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: The role of pathologist not only confined in performing post mortem but also can assist in prevention. The aim of this study to determine the prevalence and association of drug of abuse (DoA) in road traffic collision (RTC) at Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
METHODS: This is a retrospective study of post mortem cases at Hospital Kuala Lumpur from 2014 to 2016. Deaths from RTC were included while decomposed and homicide cases were excluded. We performed Spearman Correlation statistical test to relate RTC and positive DoA results.
RESULTS: A total of 523 RTC cases were identified in which either blood or urine or both samples were taken for toxicology. 93 cases were positive for both DoA and therapeutic drugs. A total of 37 cases were positive for DoA. Alcohol was present in 5 out of 37 DoA positive cases. Most of the cases seen among 16 to 45 years old (69%) and predominantly in males (93.1%). 29 out of 37 were motorcyclist and the rest were pillion rider and pedestrian. Spearman Correlation statistical test showed a negative relationship between RTC and positive DoA results.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Majority of the DoA cases in RTC were identified in the younger age group and among the motorcyclist. Spearman Correlation statistical test showed that more cases of DoA died in natural or suicidal manner compared to RTC. However, this doesn't reflect the true association of DoA in RTC. This is because of mainly two factors which the delayed effect of DoA that gives negative toxicology test and also the influence of other road users on DoA.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide
Violent crime datasets: Incidence and patterns in Malaysia from 2006 to 2017

Hakim HM, Khan HO, Hamzah HH, Othman MF, Nelson BR, Chambers GK, et al.

Data Brief, 2019 Oct;26:104449.
PMID: 31667222 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104449

This article provides violent crime data in Malaysia from 2006 to 2017. The violent crimes include murder, rape, gang robbery, robbery and voluntarily causing hurt cases. A total of 330,395 violent crime cases were reported in this 12 year period and the data were tabulated state by state for all thirteen states of Malaysia, including two states in Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) and one federal territory (Kuala Lumpur). In general, violent crimes show a decreasing trend from 2006 to 2017 in Malaysia. However, armed gang robbery and armed robbery show a fluctuating pattern from 2008 to 2011. A similar pattern was also recorded for unarmed gang robbery from 2008 to 2010. The violent crime data deposited here are available for further analysis, e.g., for identifying risk factors such as demography, lifestyle, socio-economic status, government policies etc. which may be associated with violent crime incidence and pattern across the country.

Matched MeSH terms: Homicide

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