Although similarities exist between the three groups under study, those accused of familicide cannot be equated with those accused of filicide or uxoricide. The finding that a large majority of the perpetrators were mentally ill at the time and that many killed when faced with divorce and/or custody over the child(ren) may suggest that increased monitoring of this group might have preventative value.

ABSTRACT

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.

Stranger homicide in psychosis is extremely rare and is even rarer for a patient who has received treatment with antipsychotic medication. A lack of distinguishing characteristics of stranger homicide offenders and an extremely low base rate of stranger-homicide suggests that risk assessment of patients known to have a psychotic illness will be of little assistance in the prevention of stranger homicides.