Intra- and extra-familial child homicide in Sweden 1992–2012: A population-based study. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hedlund, Jonatan; Masterman, Thomas; Sturup, Joakim
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic and legal medicine. Volume 39(2016)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 99
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Child homicide -- Filicide -- Filicide–suicide -- Infanticide -- Neonaticide -- Familicide; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2016.01.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-928X

Abstract

Abstract: Previous studies have shown decreasing child homicide rates in many countries – in Sweden mainly due to a drop in filicide–suicides. This study examines the rate of child homicides during 21 years, with the hypothesis that a decline might be attributable to a decrease in the number of depressive filicide offenders (as defined by a proxy measure). In addition, numerous characteristics of child homicide are presented. All homicide incidents involving 0–14-year-old victims in Sweden during 1992–2012 ( n = 90) were identified in an autopsy database. Data from multiple registries, forensic psychiatric evaluations, police reports, verdicts and other sources were collected. Utilizing Poisson regression, we found a 4% annual decrease in child homicides, in accordance with prior studies, but no marked decrease regarding the depressive-offender proxy. Diagnoses from forensic psychiatric evaluations ( n = 50) included substance misuse (8%), affective disorders (10%), autism-spectrum disorders (18%), psychotic disorders (28%) and personality disorders (30%). Prior violent offences were more common among offenders in filicides than filicide–suicides (17.8% vs. 6.9%); and about 20% of offenders in each group had previously received psychiatric inpatient care. Aggressive methods of filicide predominated among fathers. Highly lethal methods of filicide (firearms, fire) were more commonly followed by same-method suicide than less lethal methods. Interestingly, a third of the extra-familial offenders had an autism-spectrum disorder. Based on several findings, e.g., the low rate of substance misuse, the study concludes that non-traditional risk factors for violence must be highlighted by healthcare providers. Also, the occurrence of autism-spectrum disorders in the present study is a novel finding that warrants further investigation. Highlights: Substance misuse was found to be uncommon (8%) among child homicide offenders. Eighteen percent of offenders were diagnosed with an autism-spectrum disorder. Some 20% of offenders had previously received psychiatric inpatient care. Prior violent convictions were more common in filicides than filicide–suicides. The child homicide rate has declined by 4% annually from 1992 to 2012.