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Infanticide in Scotland

M N Marks1, R Kumar

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London.

Medicine, Science, and the Law
|October 1, 1996
PubMed
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Infant homicide rates in Scotland are similar to England and Wales, despite higher overall homicide rates. Victim and perpetrator characteristics also show regional similarities in infant homicides.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Pathology
  • Criminology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Scotland exhibits higher general homicide rates compared to England and Wales.
  • Previous studies have examined infant homicide in England and Wales, providing a comparative basis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present and compare infant homicide data from Scotland (1978-1993) with existing data from England and Wales.
  • To analyze victim and perpetrator characteristics in Scottish infant homicides.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Scottish Office records for infant homicide victims (<1 year) between 1978 and 1993.
  • Comparative statistical analysis with published studies on infant homicide in England and Wales.

Main Results:

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  • The annual Scottish infant homicide rate (43/million) closely mirrors that of England and Wales (45/million).
  • Victim demographics (age, sex) and perpetrator profiles (parental involvement) are comparable across both regions.
  • Risk factors for infant homicide include younger age (83% within 6 months), male gender, and parental perpetration (93%).
  • Mothers more frequently killed neonates, while fathers were more often accused in cases involving infants older than one day.
  • Sentencing disparities between mothers and fathers may relate to perceived motivation (maternal mental illness vs. paternal rage) or method (suffocation vs. physical assault).

    • Conclusions:

    • Despite overall higher homicide rates, Scotland and England/Wales show similar patterns and rates of infant homicide.
    • Parental perpetration is the predominant factor in infant homicides, with distinct patterns observed for mothers and fathers.
    • Differences in legal outcomes for fathers versus mothers suggest gender-based attributions regarding culpability and motivation.