Juvenile parricide in Turkey: Forensic psychiatric perspectives on child abuse, family violence, and fatal outcomes

Abstract

Background

Juvenile parricide— defined as the killing of a parent by a child or adolescent —is a rare but devastating form of family violence, often rooted in chronic abuse, emotional dysregulation, and untreated psychiatric conditions. Despite its severity, systematic research remains limited, particularly in non-Western contexts.

Objective

This retrospective study examined the forensic psychiatric, sociodemographic, clinical, and offense-related characteristics of juvenile parricide offenders (JPOs) in Türkiye and identified factors associated with fatal outcomes, victim identity, weapon type, and offender gender and age.

Participants and setting

The sample consisted of 29 adolescents (aged 12–18 years) referred to a national forensic board in Türkiye for psychiatric evaluation following an act or attempt of parricide between 2017 and 2023.

Methods

A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted using forensic psychiatric reports. Data included demographics, psychiatric history, substance use, abuse histories, weapon type, and offense characteristics. Descriptive statistics and group comparisons were performed using Fisher's Exact Test.

Results

Most offenders were male (75.9 %) with a mean age of 15.19 ± 1.39 years. Biological fathers were the most common victims (69 %). The most frequently used weapons were sharp objects (48.3 %) and firearms (41.4 %). Psychiatric disorders were present in 31 %, and 62.1 % had a history of abuse. Fatal outcomes were significantly associated with sharp object use (p = 0.014), absence of substance use (p = 0.013), and lower rates of prior offending (p = 0.033). Abuse history was more prevalent among those who killed their fathers than their mothers (p = 0.004). Weapon choice varied by age group: younger adolescents (12–14 years) primarily used firearms, while older adolescents (15–17 years) more often used sharp objects (p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Juvenile parricide offenders in Türkiye exhibit distinct developmental and trauma-related risk profiles. These findings underscore the importance of culturally informed, trauma-sensitive forensic evaluations and early intervention strategies—particularly in regions with high rates of family violence and limited access to child mental health services.