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Infanticide in England and Wales

M N Marks1, R Kumar

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London.

Medicine, Science, and the Law
|October 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

Infants under one year face a fourfold higher risk of homicide in England and Wales. Despite falling infant mortality, infant homicide rates remain constant, with parents being the most common perpetrators.

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Science
  • Criminology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Infants under one year in England and Wales are significantly more vulnerable to homicide than older children or the general population.
  • The annual infant homicide rate has remained static since 1957, contrasting with a declining infant mortality rate.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze detailed records of infant homicides in England and Wales between 1982 and 1988.
  • To identify risk periods, perpetrator demographics, and sentencing patterns in infant homicide cases.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Home Office records for all infant homicide victims (under one year) from 1982-1988.
  • Examination of perpetrator details, including parental involvement and conviction outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Neonates (first day of life) and infants aged one day to one month represented 21% and 13% of victims, respectively.
  • Parental perpetrators were most common; mothers were suspects in neonaticides, while fathers were more frequently suspects for older infants.
  • Mothers convicted of neonaticide typically received probation, while fathers convicted of infant homicide received sentences unrelated to the violence used.

Conclusions:

  • Infants, particularly neonates, are at a heightened risk of homicide, with parental violence being a significant factor.
  • Sentencing disparities exist between mothers and fathers convicted of infant homicide, with mothers often receiving less severe outcomes regardless of the violence involved.

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