Table 1 Characteristics of forensic patients whose index offence was violent and their victims

Patients’ characteristics

Age (years)

Age during the reporting year

Mean 42.13 (Standard Deviation (SD) = 13.29)

Gender (as reported by patient)

Male

724 (85.68)

Female

121 (14.32)

Previous hospitalization for a psychiatric condition

No

127 (15.03)

Yes

708 (83.79)

Unknown

10 (1.18)

Primary psychiatric diagnosis, n (%)

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders

699 (82.72)

Mood disorders

68 (8.05)

Others

78 (9.23)

Years since index offence

In years (n = 841)

Median = 6 and Interquartile range 3–10

Previous history of engaging in self-harming behaviors

No

693 (82.70)

Yes

125 (14.92)

Unknown

20 (2.39)

Victim characteristics

Victim gender, n (%)

Male

398 (47.10)

Female

367 (43.43)

Unknown

80 (9.47)

Victims’ age (years)

Age at the time of the offence (n = 105)

Median = 36 and Interquartile range = 1–63

Victims’ relationship with patients, n (%)

Stanger

258 (30.53)

Acquaintance

111 (13.14)

Friend

16 (1.89)

First degree relatives (Son/daughter/Sibling)

168 (19.88)

Lover/partner/spouse

45 (5.33)

Other/extended family members

24 (2.84)

Legal authority figure

86 (10.18)

Healthcare/support staff

68 (8.05)

Co-habitant/co-patient

23 (2.72)

Others

10 (1.18)

Unknow

28 (3.31)

Victim’s injury, severity and outcomes, n (%)

None or minor

525 (62.13)

Injury requiring hospitalization

190 (22.49)

Injury resulting in death

85 (10.06)

Unknown

45 (5.33)

Circumstances during the index offence

Patient was intoxicated during the index offence, n (%)

No

719 (85.09)

Yes

100 (11.83)

Unknown

26 (3.08)

Weapon use, n (%)

No

425 (50.30)

Yes

394 (46.63)

Unknown

26 (3.08)

Total number of offences

Median = 2, interquartile range 1–11