The Epidemiology of Homicide Followed by Suicide: a Systematic and Quantitative Review

This systematic review of population based studies of homicide followed by suicide was conducted to examine the associations between rates of homicide-suicide, rates of other homicides, & rates of suicide. The review analysed 64 samples, including the case of an outlier (Greenland) that were reported in 49 studies. There was a significant association between the rates of homicide-suicide & those of other homicides in the studies from the United States. Outside the United States, there was no clear association between homicide-suicide & other homicides but there was modest but significant association between rates of suicide & homicide-suicide. Measures to reduce homicide in regions with high rates of homicides may also reduce homicide-suicide. (62 refs.)