Aarau attack lacks several common warning signs, expert says

Many questions remain after the attack in Aarau, but the suspected perpetrator had no criminal record and there are so far no indications of a severe mental disorder or extremist motive, SRF reported. Forensic psychologist Jérôme Endrass said these are among the most common risk factors seen in attacks, yet they do not appear to have played a role in this case.

Endrass, co-head of the Forensic Psychology working group at the University of Konstanz and research director in Zurich’s prison system, said psychological problems should be distinguished from a mental disorder. Personal problems can overwhelm people and, in rare cases, lead to serious crimes, even when the person is not clinically mentally ill.

Prevention is possible when someone behaves in a conspicuous way, he said. Some people announce crimes in advance, a behaviour known as leaking. However, many people make such statements without acting on them, making it difficult for authorities to identify which cases pose a real danger.

Other attacks offer little warning or preparation, leaving authorities with no opportunity to respond, Endrass said.

He also warned that media coverage can influence potential copycats. Reporting that presents a suspected perpetrator as mysterious or fascinating could make such an attack more attractive, while neutral, factual coverage reduces the risk of imitation.

Endrass said research shows a link between weapon availability and the consequences of attacks, rather than a direct link to whether someone carries one out. An attack involving a firearm is more likely to cause many serious injuries than one involving a knife. However, he said there is no direct linear relationship between the density of firearms and the number of attacks. Switzerland, with its high firearm density and few such incidents, illustrates that point, he said.