[The expanded suicide attempt in depressive patients and its sequelae. The forensic and therapeutic considerations in...

Despite of the frequency of depressive disorders among the population, forensic aspects of depression are rare and usually focussed on suicidal behaviour, especially the so-called homicide-suicide (homicide followed by suicide). Today therapeutic strategies are seen in the first stage of dealing with depressed homicide-suicide attempters. Apart from the question of guilt with regard to the homicidal act, the question of recurrence of depression and the danger of a possibly repeated homicidal-suicidal behaviour are discussed in the light of three clinical cases.