[Psychiatric aspects of family killings]

There has been very little research done on family slayings in the RSA. The concept is defined and a short survey of the literature is provided. Five case studies of patients who were referred to Weskoppies Hospital after being involved in family killings are described; a diagnosis of depression was made in all 5 cases. The clinical implications of manslaughter and depression are discussed, and suggestions are offered for future research into psychiatric factors involved in family killings.