NCJ Number
185439
Journal
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Volume: 28 Issue: 2 Dated: 2000 Pages: 179-182
Date Published
2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
In order to document the prevalence and dynamics of spousal homicide and extended suicide in Quebec (Canada), this study reviewed the Quebec Coroner's Office's investigation files on all consecutive cases of deceased victims of intrafamilial violence that occurred between 1991 and 1998.
Abstract
Using a validated checklist, a variety of variables were systematically collected and reviewed for descriptive analysis. A total of 388 cases of death were studied. Of this sample, 145 cases (37.4 percent) concerned victims of conjugal homicide. Fifty-eight cases (40.01 percent) concerned victims whose homicidal spouses subsequently killed themselves. Suicidal offenders were more likely to be men, to be estranged from their spouse through separation, and, most often, to have used a firearm in the commission of the extended homicide-suicide. The majority of offenders suffered from clinical symptoms of depression. These findings are consistent with those of Rosenbaum, who found that depression was common in the homicide-suicide perpetrators; however, the current study did not aim to address the issues of underlying defense mechanisms or psychodynamics hypotheses, and the results would, therefore, not support or invalidate the hypothesis that guilt was operative in the commission of the extended suicide. One striking finding was that in approximately one-fourth of the homicidal incidents, a female spouse killed a male spouse. This may give credence to the theory of the battered wife syndrome, under which self-defense is a motivation, and the homicide is perceived by the perpetrator as an act of self-defense. A review of individual cases confirmed that at least 4 out of 20 homicidal women (20 percent) had been subjected to prior physical violence from their mates. Psychiatric issues and the role of substance abuse are other relevant issues that will require scrutiny. Study weaknesses are identified and discussed. 3 tables and 13 references