Abstract: Objective To explore the criminal characteristics of forensic psychiatry expertise in depression patients and schizophrenics with homicide behavior. Methods A total of 40 depression （depressive episode） patients and 50 schizophrenics with homicide behavior were randomly assigned into the study group and control group, respectively. Data of demographic and criminal characteristic of the two groups were collected by a self-designed questionnaire, and then were compared. Results There were no statistical differences in age, education level and career between study and control groups （P>0.05）. Compared with the control group, the victims in the study group were mainly the patient’s children and parents, and most offenders had suicidal behavior after homicide （70%）. In study group, the motives of crime were mainly extended suicide and indirect suicide, and most offenders had attempted suicide （85%） and diminished capacity of criminal responsibility （70%）, which in control group had no capacity of criminal responsibility （56%）. Except for criminal site, there were statistical differences in other criminal characteristics between two groups （P<0.05）. Conclusion There are different criminal characteristics between depression patients and schizophrenics with homicide behavior in forensic psychiatry, and these characteristics should be considered when these two diagnoses are distinguished in forensic psychiatry expertise.

Key words: forensic psychiatry;schizophrenia, depressive disorder, homicide, criminal characteristic, criminal responsibility