ROAD MAPS TO AGGRESSION

RISK TO VICTIMS CAN BE MINIMIZED

“Despite receiving some mental health counseling it is apparent, in retrospect that the degree of violence and anger possessed by the abuser was not realized.” 

Narrative – 2011 Maine Autopsy Report

NEW BRAINTREE, MA  January 1, 2012  There is no single road map to understanding the complexity of human behavior in general and homicide in particular. If there were the rate of domestic violence homicide might be reduced to zero. Unfortunately behavioral analysis as a science has not evolved into a reliable enough predictor of murder and cannot adequately envisage when terminal rage might be unleashed. The psychological autopsy is the study of individual cases that uncovers details about the pre-incident behaviors known as red flags that may be useful in determining risk. The application of this information can identify commonalities among cases of domestic violence so that police and social service agencies might have justification for early stopping and when necessary containment of high risk abusers. 

Domestic violence affects all corners of the world and results from an abuse of power between persons involved in intimate relationships such as marriage. Domestic violence tends to become both more frequent and egregious as time goes on. It is well known that in worst cases the insidious mistreatment involves physical abuse, sexual aggression, pathological jealousy, and DV homicide. Across the United States and the European Union a high percentage of homicides occur at the hands of domestic partners. Arguably some believe a person is more likely to be killed by an intimate partner than a stranger. 

Research into domestic violence homicide suggests that there are frequent pre-incident indicators that may be predictive of violence (Allanach et al., 2011). These may be subtle and cloaked in innuendo such as hiding favored personal items belonging to a spouse.  Or they may be obvious threats and intimidation such as burning wedding photos or destroying ornaments placed on the family Christmas tree.  

The psychological autopsy of domestic abusers is rarely done because it is costly and time consuming. I have written about the psychological autopsy in a blog post published November 7, 2010. They are useful exercises in establishing attribution of behavior and greater understanding of the emotional expression of the decedent.  The inherent problem is that the abuser is already deceased.  Data from the psychological autopsy may be used as a road map to understanding the continuum of behavior frequently observed in domestic violence.