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Injury-Related Healthcare Use and Risk of Filicide Victimization: A Population-Based Case-Control Study

Björn Bäckström1,2, Jonatan Hedlund3,4, Thomas Masterman3,4

  • 1Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation/Forensic Medicine, Umeå University, PO Box 7616, SE-907 12, Umeå, Sweden.

Journal of Forensic Sciences
|September 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Prior healthcare use for injuries increases the risk of filicide victimization in children, particularly females. Healthcare providers should exercise caution when identifying potential risks.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Pathology
  • Child Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Filicide (child homicide) risk factors are not well-researched.
  • Previous studies have not examined the link between child injury and healthcare utilization and filicide risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prior healthcare use for injuries and the risk of filicide victimization in children.
  • To identify potential risk factors for filicide.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted using a national autopsy database (1994-2012) to identify filicide victims (0-14 years).
  • Victims were compared to matched general population controls.
  • Healthcare utilization data for injury-related visits were retrieved from a national patient registry.

Main Results:

  • Prior inpatient care for injury significantly increased filicide risk by sevenfold in female children.
  • Any prior injury-related healthcare use conferred a fourfold increased risk of filicide victimization for females.
  • No statistically significant associations were found for males.

Conclusions:

  • Children, especially females, with a history of injury-related healthcare utilization may be at an elevated risk for filicide.
  • Healthcare professionals should be aware of this association.
  • The low base rate of filicide necessitates careful consideration to avoid stigmatizing parents.

Keywords:
case-controlchild homicidefilicidefilicide-suicideforensic sciencehealthcare use

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