Classifying Filicide. Issue 2 (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Putkonen, Hanna; Amon, Sabine; Weizmann-Henelius, Ghitta; Pankakoski, Maiju; Eronen, Markku; Almiron, Maria P.; Klier, Claudia M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of forensic mental health. Volume 15:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 198
• Page End: 210
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: Filicide -- child murder -- typology -- profiles -- prevention -- Latent class analysis; Forensic psychiatry -- Periodicals; Criminal psychology -- Periodicals; 614.15
• DOI: 10.1080/14999013.2016.1152616
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1499-9013

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Filicide is the act of killing one's own child. We propose a new classification of subtypes of filicide and make suggestions for helping its prevention. This binational, register-based study covers all cases of filicide and their perpetrators in Austria and Finland in the years 1995–2005. The following variables emerged as differentiating factors: gender, age of victim and offender, circumstances before and during the offence, the offender's socioeconomic and criminal background, and childhood conduct disorder. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify profiles. We found five: (1) Homicidal–Suicidal Fathers; (2) Violent Impulsive Parents; (3) Single Sober Parents; (4) Prosocial, Psychotic Parents; and (5) Infanticidal Mothers. We present suggestions for focused strategies of prevention for each group.