Mass violence and mental health – A view from forensic psychiatry

Abstract

The objectives of this paper are to develop insights into the mind of the terrorist, to conduct a review of health impacts on the health of populations, especially from the point of view of mental health impacts caused by terrorist attacks and to discern the role to be played by forensic psychiatry in emergencies caused by terrorist actions. These objectives are developed at the population level and at the individual level from the point of view of a description of the terrorist and of victim's need for forensic intervention and representation. On entrance, the paper starts with a general frame of definitions and a historical overview of terrorism as an ancient, purposeful, political tool used to change a situation objectionable to the terrorist group via intimidation of a captive population. People are used as expendable pawns and become psychologically captive to the aims of the terrorist group. As well, the paper reviews the new reality of bioterrorism and the use of improved technologies to inflict expensive damage to national infrastructures and massive loss of life.