patient 65% Delusional mood 64% Delusions of persecution 54% Though alienation 52% Thoughts spoken aloud 50%(Source: World Health Organization, 1973b, 1981). Source: Sue, 1991 p.430 Risk of Schizophrenia AmongBlood Relatives of SchizophrenicsRelationship to the Schizophrenic PersonMorbidity Risk (%)MZ twin36 - 38Child of two affected parents36 - 46Child of one affected parent12 - 13Sibling8 - 9Parents4 - 6Half sibling3 - 6Grandchild2 - 5Cousin2 - 3Niece and nephew2 - 4Uncle and aunt2 - 3Grandparent1 - 2Spouse2No relationship1(Gottesman, 1978,1991) Source: Mednick, 1970.Mental illness and crimeIn truth, the term `mental illness' causes more problems than it solves: Ashworth and Gostin note that mental illness is not defined in the Mental Health Act and therefore `much will depend upon medical opinion' (1985: 212). In practice the term is used for a wide range of diagnostic categories including psychoses, affective disorders, anxiety states, hysteria, and so on (see Prins 1980). Inspection of admissions to Special Hospitals shows that by far the greatest number of mentally ill serious offenders are diagnosed as schizophrenic, with depression the next most frequent diagnosis (Craft 1984; J.R. Hamilton 1985). Does any special relationship exist between these two particular disorders and crime? Schizophrenia The most important indicators of schizophrenia, which would not all be found in one person, include disturbances of thought, pe...
