Homicide-suicide offences: description, classification and short case studies (original) (raw)

Characteristics of homicide-suicide offenders: A systematic review

Aggression and Violent Behavior, 2020

Homicide-suicides (HS), the murder of one or several individuals followed by the perpetrator's suicide, are a major public health problem. Despite an abundant literature on predictors of this complex phenomenon, findings have been contradictory. Our aim in this systematic review was to examine the characteristics of HS perpetrators and more globally the risk factors associated with HS. We searched six electronic databases from inception to October 1993 to August 2019 and identified 49 eligible studies. We extracted eight categories of risk factors, structured as follows: sociodemographic characteristics; relationship dynamics and family situation; victimological factors; psychopathological vulnerabilities; legal history; life experiences; motivational factors; and modus operandi. Perpetrators of homicide-suicides were older and more likely to be male, older than homicide or suicide perpetrators. Studies also reveal an early history of adversity during childhood, legal issues in the past, as well as the exposure to stressful and/or traumatic events shortly before the criminal act as risk factors. Most of HS are perpetrated in an intra-familial setting and occur in the context of recent separation, divorce, and domestic conflicts. Finally, the present review shows the significant contribution of psychopathological factors (e.g., depressive disorder, psychotic delusional convictions) in the HS phenomenon.

Commentary: a homicide-suicide assessment model

The journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 2012

In this issue of the Journal, Dr. Paolo Roma and colleagues review international research spanning 60 years and highlight the centrality of psychiatric factors in the phenomenon of homicide-suicide (H-S). This commentary examines several challenges presented by definitional variability and the use of general sources as data. We suggest directions for future research, particularly using the established violence literature, to move toward intervention and management of H-S. We also examine the similarities between H-S and stalking and reflect on the potential for the stalking literature to inform the understanding and management of H-S.

Homicide followed by suicide: A review

Aggression and Violent Behavior, 2010

Homicide-suicide is a severe form of interpersonal violence, leading to shock and incomprehension in society at large. This review delineates the present state of knowledge regarding homicide-suicide by addressing the main theoretical underpinnings, the nature and incidence of these acts, the relation with other types of lethal violence and the characteristics of subtypes of homicide-suicide. Based on a review of the literature, several theoretical and empirical shortcomings are addressed from which directions for future research can be derived.

Homicide-parasuicide: A qualitative comparison with homicide and parasuicide

Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 2010

Background: Homicides followed by the suicide of the perpetrator are a rare yet very serious form of interpersonal violence which occurs mainly in partnerships and families. It typically leads to widespread public interest and unease. No systematic research on homicide suicide has ever been conducted in the Netherlands. Aim: The aim of this study is to describe the nature and incidence of homicide suicide in the Netherlands in the period 1992 2005, using cases reported in both national and regional newspapers. Results: On the basis of newspaper accounts, homicide suicide occurred on average seven times per year during this time period. Spousal/consortial homicide suicide was predominant, followed by homicide suicide involving the perpetrator's own children and familicide suicide. The perpetrators across all categories of homicide suicide were predominantly male; the victims were predominantly women and children. Firearms were used in the majority of the homicides and subsequent suicides. Conclusion: The domestic nature of homicide suicide events is discussed. Future research should aim to incorporate multiple methods in order to assess accurately the epidemiology of homicide suicide in the Netherlands.

Homicide-Suicide in the Netherlands: An Epidemiology

Homicide Studies, 2009

Homicides followed by the suicide of the perpetrator are a rare yet very serious form of interpersonal violence that occurs mainly in partnerships and families. No systematic research on homicide-suicide has ever been conducted in the Netherlands. This study provides an overview of the international homicide-suicide literature. Additionally, this article describes, for the first time, the incidence and patterns of homicide-suicide in the Netherlands and compares these to homicides not followed by suicide. To do so, an existing record containing all homicide cases in the Netherlands in the period 1992-2006 was used. Additional information on homicide-suicide events was retrieved through newspaper analysis. A total of 135 people died in 103 events. Homicide-suicide occurs with an annual incidence of 0.07 to 0.02 per 100,000 persons per year. People who commit homicide-suicide cannot be easily equated to those accused of other types of homicide.

Methods of homicide in England and Wales: a comparison by diagnostic group

Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 2009

Background: International literature has examined the offence characteristics of homicide in the general population, but there has been limited research investigating diagnostic differences between perpetrators who commit homicide by differing methods. Objective: To investigate the methods of homicide by people with different psychiatric diagnoses and to explore the offence characteristics of perpetrators with schizophrenia, in a seven-year (1997–2003) national sample of homicide perpetrators in England and Wales. Results: Of the 3930 homicide perpetrators identified, over a third (36%) used a sharp instrument. The use of firearms was rare. Methods of homicide differed significantly between diagnostic groups. Perpetrators with schizophrenia were more likely to use a sharp instrument and predominantly killed a family member or spouse in the home; a significant majority were mentally ill at the time of the offence. Perpetrators diagnosed with affective disorder were more likely to use strangulation or suffocation. Alcohol dependent perpetrators used hitting or kicking significantly more often, primarily to kill acquaintances. Finally, drug dependent perpetrators were more likely to use non-violent methods, particularly poisoning. Conclusion: Methods of homicide are affected not only by the social and behavioural characteristics of the perpetrator and victim, but also by the perpetrator's psychiatric history and diagnosis.