Espectro de la esquizofrenia en personas que han cometido asesinatos declaradas inimputables que fueron internadas en el Instituto de Neurociencias de la Junta de Beneficencia de Guayaquil durante el período 2013-2022

Abstract

Schizophrenia has a relationship with crimes, especially with murders, these attacks of violence and murders are usually located in the prodromal phase before receiving pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment. In fact, murders are considered as crimes in the Organic Integral Penal Code of Ecuador. Based on these considerations, the general objective of this research was to describe the prevalence of schizophrenia spectrum disorder in persons who have committed murder with respect to persons hospitalized with some type of mental disorder at the Neurosciences Institute of the Junta de Beneficencia de Guayaquil during the period 2013-2022. The study had a quantitative approach, with a descriptive scope and retrospective cross-sectional non-experimental design type. The study population consisted of 14 patients of the Instituto de Neurociencias. Among the main results, it stands out that most of the people with schizophrenia spectrum who have committed murders are mestizo, urban men, belonging to the coastal region of Ecuador. They have a low level of education (primary school) and an income of less than $425 per month. Regarding the environment in which the crime took place, it is mainly the family, the victims are generally mothers, and the murder weapon is a sharp weapon. As for the prevailing symptoms, persecutory delusions and delusions of grandeur, and auditory hallucinations are identified.