[Filicides in Finland].

Background: Filicides have decreased in Finland.
Materials and Methods: All filicides (child homicides by parents) in Finland during 1995-2005 were elucidated in a register study. The material consisted of 50 parents of 66 killed children.
Results: Altogether 15 parents also committed suicide. After the deed, 31 parents were subjected to psychiatric examination; ten out of them had a psychotic disorder. A personality disorder was found in 16 parents and a non-psychotic affective disorder in 12 parents.
Conclusions: Homicidal parents differ from other homicidal persons. Prevention of suicides is also expected to prevent homicide mortality among children.