Evaluation of Animal abuse in a forensic sample diagnosed with ASPD

Scheduled Time: Thu, Nov 18 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm   Room: Salon 7, Lower B2 Level
In Session Submission: Poster Session

Nuria Querol (Commission of Gender Violence - University Hospital Mútua Terrassa & Observatory of Violence to Animals) Authors: Núria Querol Viñas, MD1,2,; Àngel Cuquerella Fuentes3 MD, Frank R. Ascione PhD2,4 , Mercè Subirana, MD3 1 Commission against Gender and Family Violence, University Hospital Mútua of Terrassa 2 National Link Coalition 3 Institute of Legal Medicine of Catalonia 4 Executive Director, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Denver University

Abstract:

There is virtually no data in Spain regarding animal abuse and violent crime. We took a sample of 24 male inmates of the Prison of Barcelona to evaluate psychopathy and other possible indicators for risk assessment such as cruelty to animals. We administered the PCL:SV and RACA (Reports of Animal Care and Abuse). 23,5% of the inmates had a history of complete Mc Donald triad (cruelty to animals, enuresis and pyromania), 65% presented incomplete triad (one/two items). The descriptive analysis of the items of the triad gives the following percentages:Animal abuse 41,7 %; pyromania: 71% and enuresis: 58,8 % of the subsample. Given the pronostic value of this triad (Pincus, 2001): cranial trauma+ paranoia+ history of psychological/physical/sexual abuse (as victims) it is remarkable that 41% of the inmates presented the complete triad and 29,4% one or two items. It is also interestig to point out the fact that some sexual aggressors reported for the first time, having been sexually molested during childhood or adolescence.In the case studies we have observed conduct disorder and important lack of empathy, specially in the individuals with a high rate of violence in their felonies including animal abuse. Both triads may be useful to evaluate the dangerousness or can be an important indicator for risk assessment.