A multidisciplinary approach in overkill: Analysis of 13 cases and review of the literature. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Solarino, Biagio; Punzi, Giovanna; Di Vella, Giancarlo; Carabellese, Felice; Catanesi, Roberto
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 298(2019)
• Page Start: 402
• Page End: 407
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Overkill -- Homicide -- Stab wounds -- Forensic psychiatry -- Mental disorder; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.03.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Knife was the weapon mostly used in overkill cases. The chest was the anatomical site mostly wounded in overkill cases. All of the killers were men and have a strong relationship with the victim. All of the perpetrators had a low Intelligence Quotient (I.Q.). Only one of the killers was judged not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI). Abstract: The term overkill usually indicates the infliction of massive injuries by far exceeding the extent necessary to kill the victim. Only few articles or textbooks report this term that is mostly associated with sex-motivated homicides where injuries, generally stabbing, are directed to significant sexual parts of the body. The aim of this study is to shed light on the phenomenon of overkill by reviewing some cases personally analyzed by the authors from both a forensic pathology rather than forensic psychiatry views. The reported results coupled with the literature revision confirmed the importance of a complete analysis of all criminological elements for better defining overkill cases.