Child Homicide

Violence towards children has produced a vast amount of literature, yet the most extreme outcome of this violence - the death of a child - has remained an under-explored area of study. There has been relatively little examination of the different contexts in which child-killing occurs, and the risk factors for child killing. Very little attention has been paid to the importance of gender both in the perpetration of child homicide and the legal response to offenders. This book is an attempt to redress this gap in the literature and to provide not only a source of reference but practical advice on understanding the risk factors and taking action to prevent child homicide. The book is aimed at all those involved in the care of children subject to abuse and, potentially, victims of homicide, as well as forensic medical examiners, pathologists, lawyers, paediatricians and social workers.