Ritual homicide during dissociative trance disorder

Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2004 Feb;48(1):59-64. doi: 10.1177/0306624X03257516.

Abstract

A case report is described of a man who developed a single period of recurrent episodes of dissociative trance disorder (DTD) during a family stress. The cultural environment was permeated by thoughts and beliefs in magic. During one trance state, the man performed an exorcism on the 6-month-old baby of his brother-in-law, and the baby died from cerebral hemorrhage. In the 5-year follow-up, no other episodes of DTD developed, and the man is serving an 18-year sentence.

Publication types

  • Legal Case

MeSH terms

  • Ceremonial Behavior*
  • Child
  • Child Abuse
  • Consciousness Disorders / psychology*
  • Dissociative Disorders / psychology
  • Family Relations
  • Homicide*
  • Humans
  • Insanity Defense
  • Male
  • Middle Aged