Homicide-suicide cases in Switzerland and their impact on the Swiss Weapon Law.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_A9C71E3A5A38
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Homicide-suicide cases in Switzerland and their impact on the Swiss Weapon Law.
Journal
American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
Author(s)
Grabherr Silke, Johner Stephan, Dilitz Carine, Buck Ursula, Killias Martin, Mangin Patrice, Plattner Thomas
ISSN
1533-404X[electronic], 0195-7910[linking]
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2010
Volume
31
Number
4
Pages
335-349
Language
english
Abstract
Homicide followed by the suicide of the offender is a well-known phenomenon. In most cases, it takes place in the context of the so-called "family tragedies." A recent series of such family tragedies in Switzerland prompted an intensive debate in the media and the Swiss government concerning the Swiss Weapon Law, in particular the requirement to keep personal army weapons at home. The present study of Homicide-Suicide cases in Switzerland, thus focuses on the role played by guns, especially military weapons, in such crimes. We investigated retrospectively 75 cases of Homicide-Suicide, comprising 172 individuals and spanning a period of 23 years in western and central Switzerland. Our results show that if guns were used in 76% of the cases, army weapons were the cause of death in 25% of the total. In 28% of the deaths caused by a gunshot, the exact type of the gun and its origin could not be determined. Thus, the majority of Homicide-Suicide cases in Switzerland involve the use of guns. The exact percentage of cases were military weapons were involved could not be defined. In our opinion, a stricter weapons law, restricting access to firearms, would be a factor of prevention of Homicide- Suicide cases in Switzerland.
Keywords
Homicide-Suicide, Family Tragedies, Weapon Law, Extended Suicide, Dyadic Death, Murder-Suicide, Epidemiology
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
20/12/2010 11:59
Last modification date
20/08/2019 16:13
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