The psychiatric expertise in the case of the child killed in Berloz will have to establish whether or not the suspect had discernment of his actions. “In psychiatry, we distinguish different disorders which can abolish discernment such as delusional disorders and melancholic disorders, namely deep depressions during which we believe that there is no more hope, no more desire to live and this can lead to altruistic suicides”, explication Caroline Depuydt. “Delusional disorders, such as hearing voices, can lead a person to commit acts that they would not normally do.”
Besides that, there is toxic consumption, which does not fall under psychiatry. “It involves acting out under the influence of a toxic product by consuming alcohol, medication, hard drugs. From then on, the subject can no longer inhibit his dangerous impulses and behaviors and commit an act on himself or others.she adds.
Angry personality
Finally, the third possibility involves taking action by someone who is in possession of their means and their full discernment but who has an impulsive, angry personality. “The person cannot control himself when angry and will become violent with a psychopathic dimension. She can distinguish what is right and wrong but will have less difficulty doing illegal, bad things because she has less understanding of pain and a lack of empathy.”concludes Caroline Depuydt.
