Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41203838›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of legal medicine2026

Killing of sons and daughters: a systematic review for analysing the elements to distinguish the different features and circumstances related to these filicides.

María Cuadros, Miguel Lorente

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of legal medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

María CuadrosDepartment of Legal Medicine, University of Granada (UGR), Granada, Spain. zenda@correo.ugr.es.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-1330-5299
Miguel LorenteDepartment of Legal Medicine, University of Granada (UGR), Granada, Spain.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Filicide is defined as the killing of a child by a parent. Although this definition is generally intended to apply across all age groups, it frequently varies in the literature, with no clear consensus regarding characterization and underlying factors. This systematic review aims to organise existing information for analyzing the elements that can help to distinguish the different features and circumstances related to these homicides and contribute for definition and classification. The review follows the PRISMA criteria (Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses). Filicide is defined as the killing of a child by a parent. Although this definition is generally intended to apply across all age groups, it frequently varies in the literature, with no clear consensus regarding characterization and underlying factors. This systematic review aims to organise existing information for analyzing the elements that can help to distinguish the different features and circumstances related to these homicides and contribute for definition and classification. The review follows the PRISMA criteria (Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses). Studies primarily aim to profile offenders and explore contributing factors such as mental illness, domestic violence, and attachment. Female perpetrators tend to be younger and associated with unwanted pregnancy, mental health issues, abuse, or lack of support. Male perpetrators more often act out of jealousy, revenge, or conflict. Frequent methods of filicide include suffocation, neglect, and physical violence. Cultural and gender stereotypes influence media portrayals and legal outcomes, with evidence suggesting that women are less likely to be convicted or receive harsher penalties. Filicide-suicide cases are commonly associated with mental illness and partner conflict, with limited and heterogeneous studies which hinders generalisation of results. The review highlights the need for more balanced, cross-cultural, and gender-inclusive research on this phenomenon.

Indexed as

HomicideChildDomestic ViolenceFemaleHumansMaleMental DisordersChild maltreatmentFilicideFilicide-suicideForensic science systematic reviewOffender profilingViolence risk factors

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.