Perpetrator mental health: Depression and suicidality as risk factors for domestic homicide (IN: Preventing Domestic Suicides: Lessons Learned from Tragedies, edited by P. Jaffe, K. Scott & A-L. Straatman)

In this chapter, we explore depression and suicidality as risk factors for domestic violence (DV) homicide. We begin by outlining evidence for the importance of depression and suicidality in potential perpetrators of lethal DV and discuss the specific case of homicide–suicide. We speculate on some of the reasons that these factors have not been more prominent in past work and how growing awareness of the importance of depression is being featured in recommendations from DV death review committee work. Finally, we apply these lessons to two case studies and consider implications for future work to prevent domestic homicide.