PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Marc Hillbr
AU  - Traci Cipriano
TI  - Commentary: Parricides—Unanswered Questions, Methodological Obstacles, and Legal Considerations
DP  - 2007 Sep 01
TA  - Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
PG  - 313--316
VI  - 35
IP  - 3
4099  - http://jaapl.org/content/35/3/313.short
4100  - http://jaapl.org/content/35/3/313.full
SO  - J Am Acad Psychiatry Law2007 Sep 01; 35
AB  - Unanswered questions about parricide abound. The scientific literature on parricide is modest and plagued by several methodological problems. In the present article, we seek to describe these problems, propose possible remedies, and review the legal considerations related to parricide. The rarity of the phenomenon creates significant barriers to the collecting of data about it. Moreover, generalization from any one study of parricide is also limited due to the low prevalence rate of the crime and ensuing difficulties with generating an unbiased sample of adequate size. The present article proposes strategies for accessing a statistically relevant sample size, in light of this low prevalence rate. Some of the remaining unanswered questions about parricide are also raised. Finally, legal questions surrounding criminal responsibility are explored.