Homicide Followed by Suicide in Finland: Trend and Social Locus

Authors: JANNE KIVIVUORI; MARTTI LEHTI

Source: Journal of Scandinavian Studies in Criminology and Crime Prevention, Volume 4, Number 2, December 2003 , pp. 223-236(14)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

In the early 1960s, 15% of Finnish homicide offenders committed suicide after the crime. In 1998-2000, this ratio was 6%. The downward trend was due to the increase in non-suicidal homicide, as well as to a substantial decrease in the general homicide-suicide rate. Over the time span, the rate of suicidal homicide offenders per 100,000 population was halved. The decrease took place in the two most significant homicide-suicide types (that is, those of intimate-partner homicides and parent-child killings) and, within these crime types, in crimes committed by men. The present article describes the prevalence and trend of homicide-suicide in Finland, and examines the socio-economic correlates of this phenomenon. The findings indicate that the percentage and the rate of homicide-suicide have been consistently highest among middle classes and lowest among the unemployed and working classes. Victim-offender relationship, stressful life events, and alcohol consumption are discussed as explanations for this stable social difference.

Keywords: Finland; Homicide; Homicide-Suicide; Murder-Suicide; Social stratification; Suicide

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14043850310021972

Affiliations: 1: National Research Institute of Legal Policy Helsinki Finland

Publication date: 2003-12-01