Homicide Followed by Suicide: Paris and Its Suburbs, 1991- 1996

• NCJ Number: 174708
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 43 Issue: 4 Dated: July 1998 Pages: 760-764
• Author(s): D Lecomte; P Fornes
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Aims of this study were to explore sociodemographic, clinical, and autopsy characteristics of homicide-suicide (HS) in Paris and its suburbs between 1991 and 1996 and to analyze psychodynamic determinants leading up to the onset of HS.

Abstract

HS was defined as a violent event in which an individual committed homicide and subsequently committed suicide within a few hours. During the 6-year study period, 46 HS cases involving 133 victims were investigated at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Paris. Seventeen cases occurred in Paris, and 39 cases occurred in suburbs. Of the 56 offenders involved, 48 were males. The mean age of offenders was 51 years for males and 40.5 years for females. In 45 cases, offenders used a gun for both homicide and suicide. A knife was used in only four murders, while strangulation was used in four other cases; poisoning, arson, or beating occurred in one case each. In nine cases, the offender used a different weapon for homicide and suicide. Among firearms, handguns were more likely to be used than shotguns and rifles. The offender killed 1 victim in 40 cases, 2 victims in 11 cases, and 3 victims in 5 cases. Homicide victims consisted of 34 children (21 boys) who had a mean age of 8 years, 29 spouses (26 females), 2 girlfriends, 10 strangers, and 2 relatives. HS was most likely to be committed in the home. A suicide note was found near the victim in 29 cases. The offender was found to be severely depressed in 42 cases. Familial HS was the most frequent occurrence, followed by suicidal pacts. When male sexual proprietariness and amorous jealousy were involved, HS perpetrators often acted impulsively in carrying out HS. Chronic alcoholism was found in 16 cases. Findings suggest HS differs from both homicide and suicide and thus occupies a distinct epidemiological domain that requires specific prevention programs. 20 references, 1 table, and 1 figure