Juvenile Parricide in Turkey Forensic Psychiatric Insights

 Juvenile Parricide in Türkiye: Understanding the Forensic Psychiatric Perspective

Organized by: International Forensic Scientist Awards
Website: forensicscientist.org

13th Edition of Forensic Scientist Awards 28-29 August 2025 | Berlin Germany

Juvenile parricide—the act of a child or adolescent killing a parent—is a rare but profoundly tragic form of family violence. Often rooted in chronic abuse, emotional dysregulation, and untreated psychiatric conditions, this phenomenon has been understudied, particularly outside Western contexts.

A recent study in Türkiye examined 29 adolescents aged 12–18 years who were referred for psychiatric evaluation after committing or attempting parricide between 2017 and 2023. The research aimed to explore the sociodemographic, clinical, and offense-related characteristics of these offenders and to identify factors associated with fatal outcomes, victim identity, weapon type, and offender gender and age.

Key Findings:

• Most offenders were male (76 %) with an average age of 15 years.

• Fathers were the most common victims (69 %).

• Sharp objects (48 %) and firearms (41 %) were the weapons most often used.

• Nearly one-third of offenders had a psychiatric disorder, and over 60 % had a history of abuse.

• Fatal outcomes were significantly linked to the use of sharp objects, lack of substance use, and fewer prior offenses.

• Abuse history was more common among those who killed fathers than mothers.

• Younger adolescents (12–14 years) tended to use firearms, whereas older adolescents (15–17 years) more often used sharp objects.

These findings highlight the complex interplay between developmental trauma, family dynamics, and psychiatric vulnerabilities in juvenile parricide offenders. They emphasize the urgent need for culturally sensitive, trauma-informed forensic assessments and early intervention strategies—especially in regions with high rates of family violence and limited mental health services for children.

By understanding the psychological and social factors that contribute to such tragic outcomes, professionals can better prevent juvenile violence, support vulnerable youth, and protect families.