Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access originally published online on December 15, 2006
Alcohol and Alcoholism 2007 42(2):103-107; doi:10.1093/alcalc/agl098
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ALCOHOLISM AND HOMICIDE WITH RESPECT TO THE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS OF LESCH AND CLONINGER
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg Germany Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed at: Tel.: +49 9131 8533001; Fax: +49 9131 8534105; E-mail: Wolfgang.Sperling{at}uk-erlangen.de
Received 3 November 2006; first review notified 29 September 2006; in revised form 3 November 2006; accepted 7 November 2006
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Abstract |
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Aims: Worldwide criminal statistics show a disproportionately high incidence of violent offences committed under the influence of alcohol. A psychopathological subtyping of alcohol dependence in offenders who committed homicide has mainly been related to impulsive and dissocial personalities up to now. Methods: In an investigation on 48 alcohol-dependent offenders who committed homicide, a subtyping according to the multidimensional classification systems of Lesch and Cloninger has now been conducted for the first time. Results: In Lesch's classification, there was a high incidence of homicides committed by type II and type III subjects with the comorbidity anxiety and cyclothymia. While type III offenders were more often repeat offenders, there was a remarkably high rate of first offenders among type II subjects (Chi-squared test; 
2 = 30.0, df = 3, P < 0.001). With respect to Lesch's typology, the blood alcohol concentrations did differ significantly in the group of offenders (Kruskal–Wallis, 2 = 18.3, df = 3, P < 0.001), whereas the blood alcohol concentration of type II offenders at the time of offence was significantly lower than in type III offenders (Mann–Whitney-U, Z = –3.47; P = 0.001). Regarding to the Cloninger's typology, no significant differences in the aforementioned parameters could be found. Discussion: An excessive noradrenergic reaction of anxiety offenders with initial withdrawal is discussed as a possible explanatory model.
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