Murder-Suicide: Phenomenology and Clinical Implications (IN: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Suicide Assessment and Intervention, edited by D G Jacobs)

This chapter describes current research on homicide-suicides, and how they differ from strictly murder cases. Almost all murder-suicide cases happen within the family unit, while homicides occur among the general population for a wider variety of reasons. Also included are clinical implications of murder-suicide, with factors such as substance abuse, mental illness and family conflict. Assessment guides for the clinician treating suicidal/homicidal patients are also included.