‘Just Say Goodbye’ (January 2013 online edition)

DVRCV Discussion Paper No. 8Future directions for research and improving data collectionThis discussion paper has relied on previous research and information availableon specific cases through media sources and the internet. There are many gapsin the literature, and methodological limitations with the available data sources.Many filicide researchers continue to highlight the need for further researchinto the motives and factors contributing to filicide, in particular into genderdifferences between perpetrators (Putkonen et al. 2011, Liem & Koenraadt2008, Leveillee et al. 2007, Bourget & Gagne 2005, Hatters Friedman et al.2005). Lack of knowledge makes prevention difficult (Hatters Friedman et al.2005). In undertaking this discussion paper there was difficulty obtaining accessto data and information about filicide cases.There is a need for further research, particularly with more rigorous methods andmore in-depth analysis of a larger sample of cases. A comprehensive Australiawidestudy of filicide, which pays close attention to the issues of separation andfamily violence, is necessary for developing a better understanding of filicide.A key question to be asked is: what has been the nature and dynamics of therelationship between the parents prior to the filicide?Research should draw on administrative records, sources such as coronial filesand trial transcripts but also involve speaking to family members and friends(where this is appropriate and can be undertaken with sensitivity). This isparticularly important because official records have limited information aboutthe nature and extent of prior family violence.National Homicide Monitoring ProgramThe Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), a commonwealth statutoryauthority, produces the National Homicide Monitoring Program (NHMP),outlined in Chapter 3. The program provides analysis of homicide trends asthe basis for implementing public policy on the prevention and control ofviolence. The NHMP database is a unique resource and the analysis providedin AIC reports provides valuable information about homicide in Australia. TheAIC produces annual reports on the NHMP and Trends and Issues papers onspecific homicide topics. Unfortunately, at the time of writing the NHMP hasnot produced a Trends and Issues paper on child homicide since 1996 (Strang)or on family homicide since 2003 (Mouzos & Rushforth). The AIC is planningto release a Trends and Issues Paper on filicide in the near future. 141While the NHMP annual reports provide some useful information, thereis inconsistency in what they report from one year to the next which makescomparisons over time difficult. The reports do not currently provide information141 Personal communication with AIC.88