NCJ Number
235052
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 35 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2011 Pages: 319-328
Date Published
May 2011
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effect of gender on the offense characteristics of perpetrators of filicide in Austria and Finland.
Abstract
The study found that mothers who committed filicide were less likely to have committed other violent offenses than fathers who committed filicide; on average, the victims of mothers were younger than the victims of fathers, 3.4 years old compared to 6.1 years old, respectively; male perpetrators of filicide were more often intoxicated during the offense and were more likely to use a firearm as the method of operation, while female perpetrators of filicide were more likely to use drowning, criminal negligence, or poisoning as the method of operation; and after the killing, mothers tried to get rid of the body more often than the fathers. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of gender on the offense characteristics of perpetrators of filicide. Data for the study were obtained the national records on all filicides committed between 1995-2005 in Austria and Finland. The variables examined included offense characteristics, the offenders' socioeconomic and criminal history, and related stressful events experienced by the perpetrator. Findings from the study indicate that fathers who commit filicide are more likely to be either homicidal or suicidal, while mothers who commit filicide may include several types of offenders. Implications for families in need of support and mental health services are discussed. Tables and references