title: Homicide-suicide in Victoria, Australia.
abstract: Thirty-nine incidents of homicide-suicide occurring in Victoria, Australia between 1985 and 1989 were examined. In 33 cases the assailants were men. The victims were spouses or women living in a de facto marriage. The majority of the victims were shot, and this was also the most frequent method of suicide. Breakdown in a relationship was the most frequent reason for killing. Mental illness of the assailant accounted for the killing in approximately 20% of cases. Physical ill health and financial stress were identified as important associative factors, particularly in the elderly. The pattern of homicide-suicide in Victoria is similar to that observed in other jurisdictions and represents an important and distinct subgroup of homicide.
authors.affiliation: University of Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Milroy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dratsas
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ranson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005376:Financial Management; D006304:Health Status; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology