Citation

Mützel E, Auberlen-Pacholke A, Lindemaier G, Schöpfer J. Rechtsmedizin 2014; 24(6): 494-501.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00194-014-0982-1

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Intimate partner homicide (IPH) is the prototype of relationship problems and is mostly the result of conflict due to separation of the partners. The prevalence is consistent at approximately 20 % of all homicides worldwide independent of the era and factors, such as economy or educational background.; Aim: In this study the characteristics of IPH were identified and determined in a collective of cases with reference to the context of social and societal factors.; Materials and methods: A retrospective statistical analysis of the cases of IPH was carried out from the autopsies performed at the Institute for Legal Medicine in Munich from the years 2004-2007 including the investigation files of the criminal police and the public prosecutor office.; Results: From January 2004 to December 2007 a total of 48 autopsies of cases of IPH were carried out representing 37.5 % of all homicides. In 44 cases (91.7 %) the IPH showed the typical constellation of male offender and female victim. A total of 39 couples (81.3 %) had the same nationality of which 31 couples had German nationality and 29 couples (60.4 %) were married at the time of the offence. In approximately 50 % of the cases a conflict due to separation of the partners was the triggering factor and 13 couples (27.1 %) were living apart at the time of the offence. For 38 offenders (79.2 %) the motive for the crime of was jealousy, rage and revenge, partly because of separation from the victim. The motive was greed in only three cases and in four cases the necessity for nursing care and/or illness. Indications of physical and or mental violence within the relationship were identified for 38 couples (79.2 %) and 15 offenders (31.3 %) had a criminal record of which 7 had been previously convicted for a similar offence. Of the cases of IPH 40 (83.3 %) were committed behind closed doors, 13 victims and 16 offenders were under the influence of alcohol or other centrally acting substances at the time of the incident. In 22 cases (45.8 %) the offender prepared for the crime and in 7 a detailed plan of action was made. The weapons involved were mainly sharp cutting implements (especially kitchen knives) followed by bludgeoning weapons and handguns. Of the victims 32 (66.7 %) showed injuries due to only one kind of violence, in particular sharp force. In 27 cases (56.3 %) death occurred as a result of exsanguination. After the crime 21 offenders (43.8 %) attempted to commit suicide and 15 died from their injuries. In 15 cases the offender was convicted of murder and in 11 cases a verdict of manslaughter was reached. In 12 cases (40 %) a verdict of diminished responsibility was reached.; Conclusion: The proportion of IPH compared to the total number of homicides investigated was 37.5 %. The characteristics of the IPH have not substantially changed over the course of the study. The results of this study show that the victims often suffered from violence many months before the IPH occurred but this violence was unknown to the outside world. These circumstances are important for further preventive strategies for the protection of victims. © 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Language: de

Keywords

crime; Motivation; human; jealousy; violence; Homicide; homicide; suicide; Suicide; Violence; female; male; Germany; autopsy; police; Weapons; drug use; forensic medicine; alcohol consumption; death; major clinical study; victim; behavior; social aspect; offender; nursing care; rage; weapon; intimate partner homicide; force; Article; kitchen; exsanguination; married person; physical violence; mental violence; revenge