Murder-suicide in New Hampshire, 1995-2000

Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2002 Sep;23(3):248-51. doi: 10.1097/00000433-200209000-00008.

Abstract

Combined murder-suicide is defined as homicide(s) followed by the perpetrator's suicide within 1 week of the homicide(s). This phenomenon is observed worldwide with generally similar incidence rates. The authors report data from New Hampshire, a population distinguished from those in previous United States studies by its location, racial homogeneity, nonurban character, and low homicide rate. Sixteen murder-suicide events occurred in New Hampshire between October 1995 and October 2000. This represents an incidence of 0.26 per 100000 person-years, a rate similar to previously reported values. Murder-suicide events accounted for 14.7% of all homicides in the state, higher than previous studies but not unexpected in view of the state's lower homicide rate. Most perpetrators were male (94%), and most victims were female (88%), often in a spousal or consortial relationship. Firearms accounted for the majority of deaths. Various cofactors are examined, and a comparison of two recently proposed classification systems is discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Cause of Death
  • Domestic Violence / statistics & numerical data
  • Family / psychology
  • Female
  • Homicide / psychology
  • Homicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • New Hampshire / epidemiology
  • Sex Distribution
  • Suicide / psychology
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Time Factors