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Homicide Studies, Vol. 12, No. 3, 285-297 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1088767908319597

Suicides and Suicide Attempts Following Homicide

Victim–Suspect Relationship, Weapon Type, and Presence of Antidepressants

Catherine W. Barber

Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, cbarber{at}hsph.harvard.edu

Deborah Azrael

Harvard School of Public Health, Boston

David Hemenway

Harvard School of Public Health, Boston

Lenora M. Olson

University of Utah, Salt Lake City

Carrie Nie

Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Judy Schaechter

University of Miami, FL

Sabrina Walsh

University of Kentucky, Lexington

This study used linked, official data for population-based surveillance of homicides, suicides, and homicide–suicides in four U.S. states and four counties. Among 1,503 homicide incidents, less than 5% (n = 74) were followed by the perpetrator's suicide and 1% (n = 18) by a nonfatal suicide attempt. However, among men who killed their female intimate partner with a firearm, 59% also took their own life. Homicide–suicide perpetrators did not test positive for an antidepressant more often than other male suicide decedents (15% vs. 19%). Most (54%) perpetrators of nonfirearm homicides who attempted suicide lived; nearly all (93%) firearm perpetrators who attempted suicide died. Among men who killed their female intimate partner with a firearm, homicide–suicide was the norm. Better enforcement of existing laws designed to protect abuse victims by removing firearms from domestic abusers may also prevent abusers' suicides.

Key Words: suicide • intimate partner violence • firearms


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