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Neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide: a review of the literature
Insights
This review of neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide literature found that while child murder is ancient, the causes remain largely unknown. Further research is crucial for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Criminology
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide are severe forms of child maltreatment.
- Understanding the motivations behind parental child murder is a complex challenge.
- Historical and societal factors may influence the prevalence and perception of these acts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize existing literature on neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide.
- To identify gaps in current knowledge regarding the causes of parental child murder.
- To highlight the need for further research in this critical area.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was performed.
- The Medline database was searched using keywords: neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide.
- 115 articles were reviewed, with 51 cited in the current analysis.
Main Results:
- Infanticide has a long history, dating back to recorded history.
- Despite its prevalence, the specific causes driving parents to murder their children are poorly understood.
- Existing research provides limited insight into the psychological and social factors involved.
Conclusions:
- Parental child murder, encompassing neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide, requires more in-depth investigation.
- Further research is essential to identify potential risk factors and perpetrators.
- Developing effective prevention strategies for child murder by parents is a critical public health goal.
Abstract:
This article summarizes and reviews the literature on neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide. A literature review was conducted using the Medline database: the cue terms neonaticide, infanticide, and filicide were searched. One hundred-fifteen articles were reviewed; of these, 51 are cited in our article. We conclude that while infanticide dates back to the beginning of recorded history, little is known about what causes parents to murder their children. To this end, further research is needed to identify potential perpetrators and to prevent subsequent acts of child murder by a parent.