Adolescent post-homicide suicides

Adolescent post-homicide suicides (PHSU) are extremely rare. However, in the last two decades their number has significantly increased. The purpose of the research was to study adolescent PHSU in the Russian Federation. Materials and methods. The analysis included 12 adolescents who completed PHSU, aged 16 to 19 (mean age -18.2±1.1). Information about the crimes was collected in the electronic media, on the websites of the Investigative Committee of 11 constituent entities of the Russian Federation during the period from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2019. Data on 39 victims of PHSU (23 males and 16 females) aged 4 to 69 (mean age - 27.3±17.5) was also analyzed, as well as their socio-demographic, psychopathological and criminological indicators. Results. Boys completed 11 PHSU, girls - one (seven happened in urban areas and five occurred in rural areas). Most often (n=8), extrafamily PHSU occurred, then intimate (partner) (n=3) and family (n=1) followed. In 50.0% of cases, firearms were used, in 33.4% - steel arms, and others (asphyxiation, several methods) - in 16.6%. The methods of homicide and suicide were identical in 75.0% of cases; in 83.3% cases suicides occurred in the same place as the murder shortly after it. 43.6% of the victims were aged 13-19 and the same number was aged 20-64. 30 people died in three PHSU (mass shooting of students and staff at a college in Kerch; shooting of an officer and soldiers in a military base located in the Kostroma region and killing with an ax of the members of three generations of a family in the Ulyanovsk region). The reasons for PHSU were: prolonged conflicts (bullying, hazing in the army), parting with a partner (girlfriend), fear of criminal punishment for murder, not to make relatives worry after the suicide. Mental disorders were confirmed in one case, as was alcohol intoxication (from psychoactive substances) at the time of PHSU. Suicidal tendencies before the homicide were detected in 33.3%; 75.0% of the homicides can be classified as committed intentionally. Adolescent PHSU have a particularly high proportion of peer victims; killing of young children is quite rare; extra-family PHSU prevail, aggressors, as a rule, are younger than victims. Conclusion. Due to its rarity, adolescent PHSU have not been properly studied, prevention is practically not developed and in many aspects is the same as the measures to prevent homicides and suicides among young people. The number of victims of PHSU can be reduced by restricting adolescents' access to firearms and controlling their use.