Macdonald triad

FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY

A set of 3 behaviours* proposed by psychiatrist JM Macdonald which he felt were predictive of future violent tendencies, especially serial offences, including homicide and sexual predation.

*Cruelty to animals, obsession with fire setting, and persistent bedwetting after age 5.

While the triad has been used as a touchstone, some workers believe the triad is not predictive of future violence. 

Synonyms Homicidal triad, triad of sociopathy 

Reference Am J Psychiatry 1963; 120: 125–130