Citation

Lefebvre P, Delannoy Y, Ghoul C, Sicot J, Chochois S, Hédouin V. Rev. Med. Leg. 2022; 13(2): 57-63.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.medleg.2022.02.001

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Every year, domestic violence causes deaths by homicide but also by suicide, both victims and perpetrators. Our work aims to seek a forensic anteriority in subjects who have died in the context of domestic violence, in order to identify prevention axes in this area.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study looked at 163 autopsy reports carried out at the Lille Forensic Institute between 2012 and 2019, concerning violent deaths within the couple. For each subject included, it was sought if forensic certificates had been established in advance for acts of domestic violence.

RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-three cases including 58 homicides and 69 suicides were included. Subjects had previously consulted a medical examiner for domestic violence in only 9 cases (5.5%). None of the consultants in a clinical forensic medicine unit had received psychological or social care within the department.

DISCUSSION: The lack of denunciation of domestic violence is one of the ways in which the low proportion of subjects who consulted is explained. This should encourage further action to free victims' voices. Forensic services also play a role in preventing and caring for victims, particularly through the presence of psychologists and sometimes associations within the forensic medical units. In the future, this support will need to be improved, notably by offering social care and strengthening the forensic territorial network. © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS

Language: en

Keywords

human; Domestic violence; domestic violence; homicide; suicide; autopsy; France; forensic medicine; death; retrospective study; human tissue; coroner; Article; Conjugal violence; Feminicides; Spousal homicides; Violent deaths occurring within the couple