title: [Homicide-suicide in the change of time].
abstract: Homicide-suicide is a rare event compared to suicide and homicide alone. A comparison of the statistical figures of two studies for Hamburg (1950-1961 and 1990-2005) shows a significant development within the last 40 years: the total number of homicide-suicides committed by women has decreased considerably, probably due to a better medical and psychiatric care and greater economic independence, whereas the number of male perpetrators has remained constant. However, these perpetrators are younger now. As far as the methods are concerned, shooting is now the most common means of killing instead of poisoning by coal gas in former days.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Rechtsmedizin der Universität Hamburg.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paschen
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Püschel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006708:Homicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012744:Sex Ratio; D013405:Suicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*