Familicide: A Systematic Literature Review

Familicides have received relatively little attention in previous research and mostly appear as a byproduct in studies with broader objectives. Here, we reviewed 67 studies from 18 countries, published between 1980 and 2017, that report on familicides in which an offender killed or attempted to kill their current or former spouse/intimate partner and one or more of their biological or stepchildren. Studies were identified by a systematical literature search in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. Only eight studies had the specific aim of investigating familicide, while the remaining studies investigated broader phenomena (e.g., homicide-suicide) but reported on a subsample of familicide cases. We retrieved data concerning the offenders’ gender, age, and background, as well as information regarding victims and their relationship to the offender. We also retrieved contextual factors and characteristics of the offence, such as modus operandi, offence location, possible premeditation, and whether or not the offender had died by suicide in connection to the offence. Furthermore, we coded methodological aspects of the studies, such as data collection coverage and sources of information. Familicides were almost exclusively committed by men and about half of the familicide cases led to the subsequent suicide of the offender. Mental health problems, relationship problems, and financial difficulties were prevalent. Because few studies reported population base rates of the investigated characteristics, it is difficult to draw conclusions about risk factors for familicide. Future research should further investigate typologies of familicide and examine risk factors associated with different types of familicides.