To Flee or Not: Postkilling Responses Among Intimate Partner Homicide Offenders in Hong Kong

• NCJ Number: 232394
• Journal: Homicide Studies Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2010 Pages: 400-418
• Author(s): Aris C.Y. Chan; Philip S.L. Beh; Roderic G. Broadhurst
• Date Published: November 2010
• Length: 19 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined postkilling responses in the context of homicide followed by suicide (HS).

Abstract

Among 112 homicides involving sexual intimates that occurred in Hong Kong between 1989 and 2002, 38 percent (n=42) of offenders remained voluntarily at the homicide scene, 21 percent (n=24) committed suicide, 20 percent (n=22) escaped and denied involvement, 13 percent (n=14) disposed or hid the body of their victim, and 9 percent (n=10) escaped but later voluntarily surrendered. This study used police investigation reports, coroner's reports, witness statements, and other relevant documents to compare these five types of postkilling behavior. The type of response was explained by the offender's characteristics, the strength of attachment to the victim, and situational factors. The offender's prior criminal conduct or history of violence was not significant in predicting the type of postkilling response. Tables, notes, and references (Published Abstract)