Murder is the most notorious crime that violates religious, social and cultural norms. Examining the types and number of different killing methods that used are pivotal in a murder case. However, the psychological traits underlying specific and multiple killing methods are still understudied. The present study attempts to fill this gap in knowledge by identifying the underlying psychological traits of different killing methods among Malaysian murderers. The study adapted an observational cross-sectional methodology using a guided self-administered questionnaire for data collection. The sampling frame consisted of 71 Malaysian male murderers from 11 Malaysian prisons who were selected using purposive sampling method. The participants were also asked to provide the types and number of different killing methods used to kill their respective victims. An independent sample t-test was performed to establish the mean score difference of psychological traits between the murderers who used single and multiple types of killing methods. Kruskal-Wallis tests were carried out to ascertain the psychological trait differences between specific types of killing methods. The results suggest that specific psychological traits underlie the type and number of different killing methods used during murder. The majority (88.7%) of murderers used a single method of killing. Multiple methods of killing was evident in ‘premeditated’ murder compared to ‘passion’ murder, and revenge was a common motive. Examples of multiple methods are combinations of stabbing and strangulation or slashing and physical force. An exception was premeditated murder committed with shooting, when it was usually a single method, attributed to the high lethality of firearms. Shooting was also notable when the motive was financial gain or related to drug dealing. Murderers who used multiple killing methods were more aggressive and sadistic than those who used a single killing method. Those who used multiple methods or slashing also displayed a higher level of minimisation traits. Despite its limitations, this study has provided some light on the underlying psychological traits of different killing methods which is useful in the field of criminology.
Homicide ; Psychology

Introduction: Murder is an extreme form of violent crime which occurs across all social, cultural, and ethnic spheres. It is therefore, crucial to understand the nature and the extent of mechanical profiles of murder and murderers. The purpose of this article is to review such critical aspects of murder in a nutshell. Methods: An archival research methodology was employed in this study where relevant search for literatures on these mechanical aspects related to murder was made across search engines such as Google Scholar and Elsevier with relevant articles selected for this review. Results and Discussion: This review discusses in an in-depth manner, pivotal mechanical profiles which include motives, methods of killing, choice of weapon, settings, targeted body parts, and murder victim concealment. In-depth understanding of each mechanical aspect offers an opportunity to the public at large to expand their knowledge on murder prevention manners which is vital for crime prevention efforts in the future.
Homicide ; murder

Humans ; Homicide ; Forensic Pathology

Forensic Psychiatry ; Homicide ; Humans

Forensic Medicine ; Homicide ; Technology

The bactericidal activity of 96 sera, to Staphylococci and E.coli, of leprosy patients classified as sever, mild, and negative grade by bacterial index was investigated. The results obtained were as follows; The killing activity to E. coli, in general, was stronger than that to Staphylococci. The bactericidal activity of serum was variable by serum itself, and these variations were more remarkablh in Ei coli than in Staphylococci. In case to E. coli, the higher bactericidal activity was observed in the serum of mild and negative grade patients rather than sever, while no relationship was found between activity and disease grade in Staphylococci. The per oral administration of DDS and Lampren did not give any influence to the bactericidal activity of serum.
Administration, Oral ; Homicide ; Humans ; Leprosy*

The authors selected 19 murder cases, which were reversed by the Supreme Court with citation of experts' opinions in its judgements. The original courts sentenced that 15 cases were guilty, and 4 cases innocent. There were 38 experts' opinions including 16 of both pathological and serological fields. Others are 2 for questioned documents, 1 for fingerprint, 1 for shoeprint, 1 for fire, 1 for material object. The Supreme Court kept the attitude paying regard to experts' opinions with rather strict interpretation of them. Also it had great concern about the procedures collecting evidences and rationalities of experts' opinions. In some cases, it pointed out that the original court should have investigated further to clarify the vague evidences and opinions. We commented briefly about some possible controversies on the experts' opinions and interpretations of the Supreme Court, strictly in the viewpoint of forensic pathology.
Dermatoglyphics ; Fires ; Forensic Pathology ; Homicide*

DNA ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Homicide ; Humans

Paraquat is a nonselective herbicide, but its lethal and toxic effects are well known. Although its chemical additives have an unpleasant taste, this can be shrouded in spicy foods or drinks with strong tastes, and some symptoms and signs of paraquat poisoning can be mistaken as natural disease. For this reason, it is not easy to consider the possibility of homicidal paraquat poisoning for a clinician or even for a forensic pathologist. We present a case of homicidal poisoning by paraquat with significant forensic findings from postmortem examination and with a review of relevant literature.
Autopsy ; Forensic Pathology ; Homicide ; Paraquat* ; Poisoning*

An unusual case of homicide of a 21-year-old man who was smothered with a hot steam towel by his mother and a pastoress in the name of exorcism. Homicidal smothering in adults is rare, but does occur when the victims are not capable of defending themselves in situations such as chronic illness, old age, drug intoxication or when restrained by other people. In this case, distinct facial scalding was a clue to smothering with a hot steam towel.
Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Homicide ; Humans ; Mothers ; Steam