ISSN: 0022-1198
Page Count: 3

Pseudonecrophilia Following Spousal Homicide
Reid Meloy, J
Associate Clinical Professor Psychiatry, University of California, CA

(Received 23 October 1995; accepted 11 December 1995)

Abstract

A case of pseudonecrophilia by a 26-year-old male following the multiple stabbing death of his wife is reported. Intoxicated with alcohol at the time, the man positioned the corpse of his spouse to facilitate vaginal intercourse with her in the lithotomy position while he viewed soft core pornography on television. Clinical interview, a review of history, and psychological testing revealed diagnoses of antisocial personality disorder and major depression (DSM-IV, American Psychiatric Association, 1994). There was no evidence of psychosis, but some indices of mild neuropsychological impairment. The motivations for this rare case of pseudonecrophilia are discussed in relation to extant research, and a cautionary note is offered in assuming sexual causality in the investigation of homicides when there is evidence of sexual arousal or activity by the perpetrator.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic psychiatry, necrophilia, homicide, paraphilia, sexual homicide, antisocial personality disorder, psychopath

Paper ID: JFS13985J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13985J
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