Impulsive murderers much more mentally impaired than those who kill strategically - See more at: http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2013/06/inside-the-minds-of-murderers-.html#sthash.MkE6WMLL.dpuf

http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2013/06/inside-the-minds-of-murderers-.html

June 27, 2013 | by Erin White

The minds of murderers who kill impulsively, often out of rage, and those who carefully carry out premeditated crimes differ markedly both psychologically and intellectually, according to a new study by Northwestern Medicine® researcher Robert Hanlon.

“Impulsive murderers were much more mentally impaired, particularly cognitively impaired, in terms of both their intelligence and other cognitive functions,” said Hanlon, senior author of the study and associate professor of clinical psychiatry and clinical neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

“The predatory and premeditated murderers did not typically show any major intellectual or cognitive impairments, but many more of them have psychiatric disorders,” he said.
- See more at: http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2013/06/inside-the-minds-of-murderers-.html#sthash.MkE6WMLL.dpuf

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“It’s important to try to learn as much as we can about the thought patterns and the psychopathology, neuropathology and mental disorders that tend to characterize the types of people committing these crimes,” he said. “Ultimately, we may be able to increase our rates of prevention and also assist the courts, particularly helping judges and juries be more informed about the minds and the mental abnormalities of the people who commit these violent crimes.” - See more at: http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2013/06/inside-the-minds-of-murderers-.html#sthash.MkE6WMLL.dpuf