1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« Our objective was to examine the similarities and differences between samples of cases of matricide and patricide, to clarify factors that may be characteristic of parricide committed by men versus those characteristic of the same crime committed by women. » (p. 307)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« The sample included 56 perpetrators: 52 sons and 4 daughters; 9 cases of double parricide were found. » (p. 306)

Instruments :
« All records, including medical and psychiatric records when available, were reviewed and compiled by the same two investigators, both of whom are coroners and psychiatrists. Autopsy reports were examined. » (p. 307)

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« Between 1990 and 2005, 64 parents were killed by their children in the province of Quebec, Canada. The authors reviewed all consecutive coroners’ files on these cases and found that 27 mothers and 37 fathers were the victims of parricide. Approximately 15 percent of the perpetrators (8/56) attempted suicide following the parricide. A psychiatric motive (stemming from depression or psychotic illness) was determined for 65.5 percent (36/56) of the perpetrators, and 67 percent of them had a psychotic disorder. Similarities and differences were found between cases of matricide and patricide. [...] The significant prevalence of schizophrenia, the presence of psychosis, and the commission of psychotically motivated homicides suggest that psychosis associated with other characteristics in a child is a risk factor for parricide. [...] A lack of insight and lack of medication compliance form part of a trail of clues leading to the parricide in these instances. » (pp. 306; 311)