Psychokillers: The Mind on Trial

Exploring psychopathy, the definition of insanity, and why it's important to understand the details when it comes to mental health and the judicial system.

Epidemiology

• Dean, K., Laursen, T. M., Marr, C., Pedersen, C. B., Webb, R. T., & Agerbo, E. (2024). "Absolute and relative risk of violent victimisation and perpetration following onset of mental illness: a Danish register-based study." The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, 36, 100781. DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100781 — Free full text via PMC
• Teplin, L. A., McClelland, G. M., Abram, K. M., & Weiner, D. A. (2005). "Crime victimization in adults with severe mental illness: comparison with the National Crime Victimization Survey." Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(8), 911–921. DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.62.8.911 — PubMed

Legal Standards

• Cornell Law LII — "Insanity defense" (Dusky competency standard; M'Naghten rule): https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/insanity_defense
• Bundy v. Dugger, 850 F.2d 1402 (11th Cir. 1988) — Federal appellate record on competency rulings: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/850/1402/3674/

Psychopathy & ASPD

• Hare, R. D. (2016). "Psychopathy, the PCL-R, and Criminal Justice." Official resource page
• Blais, J., Solodukhin, E., & Forth, A. E. (2014). "A meta-analysis exploring the relationship between psychopathy and instrumental versus reactive violence." Criminal Justice and Behavior, 41(7), 797–821. DOI: 10.1177/0093854813519629
• StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf — "Antisocial Personality Disorder": https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546673

Bundy's Diagnosis Timeline

• Carlisle, A. (2017). Violent Mind: The 1976 Psychological Assessment of Ted Bundy. Author publication page: https://alcarlisle.net/books-bio.html
• Ramsland, K. (2020). "New Documentary 'Crazy, Not Insane' Premieres Tonight" — Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shadow-boxing/202011/new-documentary-crazy-not-insane-premieres-tonight
• Orr, C. (2020). "Is This Why Ted Bundy Became a Murderer?" — Vanity Fair. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/11/ted-bundy-dorothy-lewis-documentary

Transparency Notes

1. The "welded locker" anecdote — This is based on personal recollection and should be treated as rumor rather than verified fact.