Thomas Hamilton: Thomas Hamilton


MULTIPLE HOMICIDE: MULTIPLE HOMICIDE Five or more victims, at least three of whom fatally injured. Single incident occurring within 24 hour period (mass murder). Multiple incidents over periods varying from days to years (serial killing). Dietz (1986)


TYPOLOGY OF MASS MURDER (HOLMES & HOLMES, 1992): TYPOLOGY OF MASS MURDER (HOLMES & HOLMES, 1992)


A TYPOLOGY OF MASS MURDER: A TYPOLOGY OF MASS MURDER Instrumental Killings Victim Specific Killings Massacres


MASS MURDER: MASS MURDER


MASS MURDER: MASS MURDER


MASS MURDER: MASS MURDER


THE CIVIL MASSACRE: THE CIVIL MASSACRE


The Autogenic (Self Generated) Massacre: The Autogenic (Self Generated) Massacre


Slide11: Mass killings in which someone kills a number of people most of whom are strangers chosen apparently at random in a single extended episode is a relatively new phenomena in Western society (Dawson and Soottill 1996)


Slide12: There are some Javanese who go out into the streets and kill as many persons as they meet until they are also killed (Barbosa 1594) A PIECE OF EASTERN EXOTICA (AMOK)


Ernst Wagner: Ernst Wagner


Charles Whitman1941-1966: Charles Whitman 1941-1966 College photo of Charles Whitman (University of Texas)


AUTOGENIC MASSACRES: AUTOGENIC MASSACRES


AUTOGENIC MASSACRESsources of knowledge: AUTOGENIC MASSACRES sources of knowledge


A CASE HISTORY: A CASE HISTORY


BACKGROUND: BACKGROUND Rigid distant father Mother – paranoid illness Home language not English Never close to older sister Bullied at school Overweight introverted child Underachiever


Slide19: Economic Function Working in apprenticeship Applies to Police Applies to Army Casual employment Unemployed Social Function Loses contact with only school friend Unsuccessful attempts at dating Increasingly isolated at home Withdraws to room


Slide20: State of Mind Socially anxious but ambitious Rigid obsessive Sensitive self reference Increasingly resentful and angry Despondent, depressed and suicidal/homicidal Militarism Hunts with father Military ambitions Begins collecting guns Authoritarian right wing views subscribes to survivalist & gun magazines


MIMESIS: MIMESIS Rambo and Tall Tower Fantasies based on stories of revenge and massacres A widely reported massacre 3 months prior to his killings


Slide22: Fantasy Daydreamer Heroic fantasies Increasingly violent fantasies Fantasy of dying in a blaze of glory Predispositions to Behave Considers and rejects a variety of scenarios for murder/suicide Decides on plan Acquires equipment Runs through plan in fantasy Walks through scenario Dress rehearsal Sets off to massacre and die


A DECADE LATER: A DECADE LATER Physically fit Mood stable Restricted but effective socialising Education progressing No longer suicidal No longer resentful Guilt and regret Improved family relationships


U.S. Study of Adult Mass Murderers 1949-1998 (Hempel, Meloy & Richards 1999): U.S. Study of Adult Mass Murderers 1949-1998 (Hempel, Meloy & Richards 1999) Using a firearm excluding explosives, arson, poison, cars, planes 30 cases (21 since 1985) 100% male 18-60 years (median 37 years) 94% “loners” 63% “preoccupied with weapons” plus 47% military background


U.S. Study of Adult Mass Murderers 1949-1998 (Hempel, Meloy & Richards 1999): U.S. Study of Adult Mass Murderers 1949-1998 (Hempel, Meloy & Richards 1999) 43% violent conviction 50% clear psychiatric history, schizophrenia in 10% 40% psychotic at time of killing plus 27% possible psychotic 50% APD 40% narcissistic 17% schizoid


U.S. Study of Adult Mass Murderers 1949-1998 (Hempel, Meloy & Richards 1999): U.S. Study of Adult Mass Murderers 1949-1998 (Hempel, Meloy & Richards 1999) Threats – specific 33%, generalised or mixed 33% Precipitating Event Work Problems 50% Relationship Problems 23% Killing at work 37% weekday 90% daytime 93% intoxicated 10% planned predatory 100% number of weapons 1-11 mean 3.1 victims 3-22 (median 6.0) perpetrators 54% suicide / 10 killed


U.S. Study of Adult Mass Murderers 1949-1998 (Hempel, Meloy & Richards 1999): U.S. Study of Adult Mass Murderers 1949-1998 (Hempel, Meloy & Richards 1999) Killers “devoid of any affectional bonds” angry isolates “paranoid schizoid position” dysphoric “warrior mentality” preoccupation with weapons identification with aggression and authority grandiosity paranoid psychotics plus depressed non psychotics


Julian Knight : Julian Knight


Characteristics commonly found in those who commit/attempt to commit autogenic massacres(based on 10 cases personally assessed): Characteristics commonly found in those who commit/attempt to commit autogenic massacres (based on 10 cases personally assessed)


CHARACTERISTICS FREQUENTLY FOUND IN THE PERPETRATORS OF MASSACRES: CHARACTERISTICS FREQUENTLY FOUND IN THE PERPETRATORS OF MASSACRES


CHARACTERISTICS FREQUENTLY FOUND IN THE PERPETRATORS OF MASSACRES: CHARACTERISTICS FREQUENTLY FOUND IN THE PERPETRATORS OF MASSACRES


Slide33: There was, in most, an absence of: A history of antisocial and specifically violent behaviour A history of contact with the mental health services A history of direct threats A history of substance abuse


Slide34: The autogenic massacre is A planned project for murder suicide The adoption of an existing cultural script


Why Obsessive ?: Obsession carries with it the atrophy and gradual death of all faculties not involved in whatever may be the obsessing (pre) occupation. to let an obsession take one over is therefore always to consent, in some degree, both to one’s own death and to that of others. Mary Midgley (1984) Why Obsessive ?


Why Suicidal ?: Why Suicidal ?


Suicidal motivation is compounded of three elements:: Suicidal motivation is compounded of three elements:


Slide38: Why Resentment?


RESSENTIMENT: RESSENTIMENT


Slide41: RESSENTIMENT THE FACT AND QUALITY OF ONE’S EXISTENCE CALLS OUT FOR REVENGE ¯ ¯ REPRESSION FAILURE OF REPRESSION ¯ ¯ FALSIFICATION OF WORLD VIEW ¯ TRANSVALUATION ¯ THE ENVIED IS VALUELESS THE FEARED BECOME POWERLESS THE INJURIES DID NOT EXIST CHRONIC RUMINATION ON HUMILIATION, VICTIMIZATION AND MANIFEST DESTINY RHETORIC OF MURDER AND SUICIDE


AUTOGENIC MASSACRE : AUTOGENIC MASSACRE Planned Act of non specific revenge directed at the uncaring world Often seeking infamy Intend their own death Victims are a means to their ends


Slide43: What distinguishes them from a multiplicity of angry, disappointed, isolated young men who think of suicide and mass murder?: Has pre-existing preoccupation with, and access to, guns Well organised – rigid adherence to commitments Violent fantasies Mimesis


Slide44: What distinguishes them from a multiplicity of angry, disappointed, isolated young men who think of suicide and mass murder?: A poisonous self absorption that cannot tolerate ‘loss of face’ Self referential Unresolved ressentiment Chance


Slide45: The best chance of reducing the frequency is to shift the script by shifting the identity it confers: From: Horrifying, evil, infamous To: Sad, sick, cowardly, silly


CONCLUSIONS: CONCLUSIONS The autogenic massacre represents a new script for suicide/murder in Western Societies maintained by mimesis The massacre represents a concatenation of events: social; interpersonal; psychopathological; and practical Resentment and a poisonous self absorption feed an acidulated despair


Slide47: The ultimate expression of an empty individualism in a fragmenting society of strangers where fame is significance Guns mediate, authoritarian right wing views about survival of the fittest often justify Psychopathology involves sensitive self reference or frank paranoia


Conclusions I: Conclusions I


Conclusions II: Conclusions II


Slide51: Conclusions III


Slide52: What in a secular society does it mean to say someone is evil?


Evil: Evil


Evil: Evil


Slide55: As a particular type of intention: Evil as the choice to seriously harm others in the knowledge of the damage and distress which will result. Evil


EVIL: EVIL


Something given as evil can ‘tempt’ us and work its charm on us even though there is no desire for it, even though willing resists its experienced efficacy.: Something given as evil can ‘tempt’ us and work its charm on us even though there is no desire for it, even though willing resists its experienced efficacy. Max Scheler 1996


THE BANALITY OF EVIL (JASPERS AND ARENDT): THE BANALITY OF EVIL (JASPERS AND ARENDT)


Slide59: Are Mass Killers Evil and if so in what sense?


Slide60: Are Mass Killers Evil?


Slide61: As an expression of disapprobation: The Mass Killer is someone for whom we wish to express disgust. EVIL AND MASS HOMICIDE


EVIL AND MASS HOMICIDE: EVIL AND MASS HOMICIDE


EVIL AND MASS HOMICIDE: EVIL AND MASS HOMICIDE


Slide64: As an evil intention: Autogenic massacres are committed usually by people who plan to kill in the knowledge of the damage and distress that will cause. EVIL AND MASS HOMICIDE


Adolescent Mass MurderersMeloy et al 2001: Adolescent Mass Murderers Meloy et al 2001 63% depressed at time 48% preoccupied with weapons 58% direct or indirect threats 59% recent loss or disruption 85% used guns 126 killed (3-13) 84 wounded


Adolescent Mass MurderersMeloy et al 2001: Adolescent Mass Murderers Meloy et al 2001 34 committed 27 mass murders 1958-1999 (14 post 1995) 100% male 11-19 median 17 years 43% bullied 60% loners 44% fantasizers 42% prior violence 62% substance abuse 23% documented psychiatric history


ABJECT HERO: ABJECT HERO Bernstein 1990