Forensic investigation of pediatric homicides in the Freiburg district (Germany): A 25-year retrospective study

Pediatric homicide represents one of the most severe forms of violence against children and remains an underexplored issue in Europe. The aim of the present study was to analyze the epidemiological, criminological, and autopsy-related characteristics of pediatric homicides and to identify potential age-related differences, which are essential to guide prevention and judicial investigation. A retrospective study was conducted on all autopsies of homicide victims under 18 years performed at the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Freiburg (Germany) between January 2000 and April 2025. Demographic, circumstantial, and post-mortem data were analyzed. Comparative analyses were performed between victims aged ≤ 1 year and > 1 year using Fisher's Exact test. A total of 39 cases were pediatric homicides. The victims' mean age was 4.3 years; 61.5% were male. Homicides were mainly intrafamilial (82.1%), and mothers were the predominant perpetrators among neonaticides. Asphyxia prevailed in victims ≤ 1 year (50.0% vs. 5.3%), whereas sharp force trauma predominated in older children (47.4% vs. 0%). All victims ≤ 1 year were killed indoors, while 36.8% of older victims were killed outdoors. Concealment of the body was significantly more frequent in victims ≤ 1 year (45.0% vs. 10.5%). The motives differed by age group, with concealed pregnancy and psychosocial crises predominating in neonaticides, and interpersonal conflict or sexual assault emerging in older victims. Pediatric homicides in the Freiburg district reveal two distinct profiles: early-life intrafamilial homicides driven by maternal crisis and concealment, and later childhood or adolescent cases characterized by overt violence and complex social dynamics. These findings underscore the importance of age-specific forensic approaches and multidisciplinary prevention strategies.