Homicide–suicide—An event hard to prevent and separate from homicide or suicide

Author: Saleva, Outi / Putkonen, Hanna / Kiviruusu, Olli / Lönnqvist, Jouko
Publication: Forensic Science International
Topics: Homicide International Suicide Surveillance/Data Collection
Keywords: Finland Homicide-Suicide
Bibliographic information +

The National Suicide Prevention Project recorded all suicides committed in Finland during a 12-month period, amounting to almost 1400 suicides of which 10 were verified homicide–suicide cases. The perpetrator was male in all but one case, and all the victims were family, 9/10 being spouses and/or children. The most typical homicide–suicide involved a man shooting a family member during a separation process. No perpetrator was found suffering from a psychotic disorder but three had major depression. The homicide–suicides events differed from the suicide events in 2 variables: shooting was more often the method used in the homicide–suicide cases, which, furthermore, were more likely to involve a divorce or recent rupture in another long-term intimate relationship. The authors concluded that because shooting is the most common method of homicide–suicide, firearm licenses should be more restricted.