Customary Homicides in Diyarbakir Province.
This study presents an analysis of the causes of so-called honor killings in the context of "customary homicide" and a discussion of preventive measures. Finalized case files of customary homicide between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2012 were retrospectively examined in Diyarbakir Province, Turkey. Of a total of 28 case victims, 17 (60.7%) were females and 11 (39.3%) were males. All perpetrators were male. There was a significant difference between male and female victims in terms of economic independence (p=0.000). A direct blood relationship or relationship by marriage (such as brother-in-law) was found to have a significant association with the gender of the victim (p<0.001). Multilevel educational activities targeting a transformation of the perception of women by society, replacement of patriarchal models with more modern attitudes, and encouragement of individuality may represent effective strategies that may help reduce the number of customary homicide, which represents a multifaceted problem.
Council of Forensic Medicine, Diyarbakir Group Presidency, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Eyyup
E
Yilmaz
Department of Criminalistics, Institute of Forensic Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, 06540, Turkey.
Nergis
N
Canturk
Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
Zerrin
Z
Erkol
Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey.
Bahadir
B
Kumral
Ministry of Justice, Prosecutor of Diyarbakir, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Ali M
AM
Okumus
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
behavioral sciences; custom killings; forensic science; homicide; honor killings; violence