@article{ref1,
title="Homicide-suicide: postmortem study from the Institute of Legal Medicine in Frankfurt/Main from 1994 to 2014",
journal="Rechtsmedizin: Organ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Rechtsmedizin",
year="2017",
author="Siems, A. and Flaig, B. and Ackermann, H. and Verhoff, M. A. and Parzeller, M.",
volume="27",
number="3",
pages="175-184",
abstract="Background:  Extended suicide (also known as homicide-suicide) is an incident in which the perpetrator kills one or more people against their will and subsequently commits suicide. Victim and offender are often in a close relationship. In the case of a failed suicide, the offender has to anticipate extensive penal consequences (§ 211 ff. of the German criminal code).<br><br>OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyze homicide-suicide cases that occurred during a 21-year period (1994-2014) and to gain further information about the background of these incidents.  Material and methods In a retrospective study, 58 cases of homicide-suicide investigated at the Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University in Frankfurt/Main, Germany were analyzed. Information about the incidents was obtained from the autopsy reports and from prosecution investigation files, as far as these were provided in accordance with data protection regulations. A literature survey and a homicide-suicide classification system were conducted and descriptive and statistical data analyses were performed.<br><br>RESULTS In 58 cases a total of 74 victims were involved in which 93% of the offenders were male and 7% female. Of the victims 76% were female, 20% male and 4% remained unknown. Victims involved 17 children and 66% of the incidents included a spouse or intimate partner relationship. In 71% the crime scene took place in the domestic environment. The main triggering factors of the acts were marriage conflicts and financial problems. In 57% of the cases shooting was the method of choice.<br><br>CONCLUSION Due to the severity and consequences of the act, the term homicide-suicide rather than extended suicide should be employed in German linguistic usage because it is a homicide with subsequent suicide. The emphasis should be placed on the development of prevention.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0937-9819",
doi="10.1007/s00194-017-0161-2",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00194-017-0161-2"
}