An Examination of Mental Health, Hostility, and Typology in Homicide Offenders

Abstract

We examined the psychological characteristics of homicide offenders ( n = 95) compared with incarcerated samples of rapists ( n = 232) and generally violent men ( n = 97) using the original Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), its Overcontrolled Hostility (O-H) scale, and the Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI). Prominent MMPI elevations were found on scales 4 and 8 for each group. While general violent offenders had the highest BDHI scores, there were no differences among groups in O-H. Cluster analyses revealed a disordered and nondisordered homicide offender type. Results are discussed in light of extant findings with directions for applied homicide offender research.