NCJ Number
183936
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 45 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2000 Pages: 582-588
Date Published
May 2000
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article compares sudden mass assault by a single individual (SMASI) in Oriental and Occidental cultures.
Abstract
The article compares a nonrandom sample of North American cases of SMASI (n = 30) with a nonrandom sample of Laotian amok cases (n = 18) and other amok studies. Amok is a Malaysian word meaning to engage furiously in battle. The term refers to a syndrome characterized by sudden unprovoked outbursts of uncontrollable rage and aggressive behavior, often leading to indiscriminate injury or death to others. Amok has traditionally been placed among a mixed group of phenomena known as “culture-bound syndromes.” This phrase proposes that a particular society or culture has a powerful influence on the syndrome to the point of making it unique to that culture. Perpetrators in both studies showed evidence of social isolation, loss, depression, anger, pathological narcissism, and paranoia, often to a psychotic degree. The article introduces and expands upon the term “innovative perpetrator.” Similarities among samples far outweighed differences, leading to the conclusion that SMASI and its appearance in different cultures is not a culture-bound syndrome. References