Traumatic brain injury graphing: A case study of Charles Whitman

J Forensic Sci. 2025 May 14. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.70071. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Research has identified violent behavior (i.e., assault, murder, and suicide) as a possible sequela of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and repeated mild TBI (rmTBI). However, misconceptions about consciousness and its ability to control an injured brain, the diverse spectrum of potential outcomes, and the role genetics/environmental factors can play make proving TBI’s influence on inciting violent behavior by a perpetrator extremely difficult. Though the cause and execution may be complex, multifaceted, and vary in each individual, violent behavior is often preceded and accompanied by other emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and/or physical consequences. This research examines the benefits of graphing, using data interpreted from in-depth, color-coded reverse chronology, as a visualization tool for analyzing/displaying the potential impacts of TBI injuries and aggravators on violent outcomes, especially in complex situations. The case of Charles J. Whitman (herein referred to as CW) was used to demonstrate this method. Results revealed that sequelae clusters appeared shortly after suspected TBI injuries, sequelae changed and progressed over time, and numerous TBI aggravators were present at the time of the tragedy, including: an extended period of excessively high ambient temperatures, sleep deprivation (SD), drug use, blood loss, and emotional stressors. TBI graphing (utilizing reverse chronology) served as a valuable tool for observing the potential TBI sequelae progression prior to the violent event.

PMID:40369769 | DOI:10.1111/1556-4029.70071