Murder-suicide in New Hampshire, 1995-2000.
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.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, State of New Hampshire, Libanon, USA.
Craig
C
Campanelli
Thomas
T
Gilson
D002423:Cause of Death; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009513:New Hampshire / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors