[Filicides in Finland].
BACKGROUND
Filicides have decreased in Finland.


METHODS
All filicides (child homicides by parents) in Finland during 1995-2005 were elucidated in a register study. The material consisted of 50 parents of 66 killed children.


RESULTS
Altogether 15 parents also committed suicide. After the deed, 31 parents were subjected to psychiatric examination; ten out of them had a psychotic disorder. A personality disorder was found in 16 parents and a non-psychotic affective disorder in 12 parents.


CONCLUSIONS
Homicidal parents differ from other homicidal persons. Prevention of suicides is also expected to prevent homicide mortality among children.
Putkonen
Hanna
H
Vanhan Vaasan sairaala, Vaasa.
Weizmann-Henelius
Ghitta
G
Eronen
Markku
M
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007237:Infanticide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D012042:Registries; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data