title: [Neonaticides in Hamburg, Germany, from 1998 to 2008].
abstract: In the analyzed period from 1998 to 2008, the autopsies performed at the Hamburg Institute of Legal Medicine included 13 cases in which an investigation for neonaticide had been initiated by the public prosecutor. The killed neonates showed a nearly equal distribution between both sexes. The most common method of neonaticide was suffocation. Most of the perpetrators were young, unmarried primipara with an average educational background. Almost all of them were suffering under psychological stress and had negated their pregnancy. In most cases, birth and neonaticide happened alone in their flat, and there was no medical attendance in any case. In the cases brought to court the women were charged with manslaughter (Section 212 German Criminal Code) and those found guilty were always granted a mitigated sentence pursuant to Section 213 Criminal Code.
authors.affiliation: Institut fuir Rechtsmedizin des Universitätsklinikums Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krohn
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anders
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Püschel
authors.forename: Ann Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Schröder
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology; D001344:Autopsy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002423:Cause of Death; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007237:Infanticide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000639:trends*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted; D055815:Young Adult