12 couples in cases of murder-suicide were compared to 24 couples in cases of homicide during 1978-87 in Albuquerque, N.M. Data were obtained from police, the courts, hospital records & interviews with friends & family of the deceased. The most striking findings were that perpetrators of murder-suicide were depressed (75%) & men (95%), while perpetrators of homicide were not depressed & 1/2 were women. Data indicate that the murder-suicide & homicide groups are 2 different populations. (9 refs.)