Homicide-suicide incidents involving children produce the absolute tragic outcomes in custody dispute investigations. These are horrible events where parents/caregivers kill their children before they kill themselves during divorces, which have controversial custody battles. Research has shown that 13 percent of filicide cases for the past few decades resulted in the suicide of the perpetrator. Child custody private investigators in Oklahoma City have seen the warning signs when they are investigating that sometimes predict these catastrophic outcomes. Understanding these seven scenarios of investigations helps to identify risk factors that need immediate intervention. Moreover, by recognizing danger patterns, investigators are able to rescue vulnerable children from what might be deadly situations. Therefore, looking at these cases gives a very important glimpse of how to avoid such tragedies occurring in custody disputes in the future.
Parental Intimate Partner Violence Preceding Murder-Suicide
Intimate partner violence between parents precedes most custody-related murder-suicides. Research shows that 81 percent of the incidents involving perpetrators who are male (pairs are involved) have had prior parental discord or relationship problems. Furthermore, half of these cases recorded actual physical violence between parents prior to the incident in question. Child custody private investigators in OKC note that domestic violence is a volatile environment that makes children a target in custody issues. In addition, perpetrators see killing children as ultimate revenge from their former partners. Private investigators in Oklahoma City say that the fathers committing these acts often faced intimate partner violence charges before the tragedy. Moreover, protective orders existed in many cases and only failed to prevent the ultimate violence. Consequently, investigators must find domestic violence patterns to be critical red flags for taking immediate protective action for the children involved.
Mental Health Crisis In The Case of Maternal Perpetrator
Maternal perpetrators of filicide-suicide demonstrate significantly higher rates of mental health problems than paternal perpetrators. Studies show that mental health professionals were treating 29 percent of perpetrators of female-perpetrated violence shortly before they carried out such acts of violence. Furthermore, more prevalent symptoms of depression, current mental health problems, and psychiatric histories were apparent in mothers. Child custody private investigators in Norman, Oklahoma, do understand, however, that in parental murders-suicides, there is often perceived mercy killing or altruism. Additionally, the mothers who are experiencing psychotic episodes may think they are protecting children from things they think are dangerous. Process servers in Oklahoma know that most custody cases fail to address postpartum mental illness adequately. Apart from this, investigators are required to evaluate the mother’s mental health state as part of overall custody investigations. Therefore, identifying mothers in crisis requires special training and immediate referral to mental health professionals in the course of custody disputes.
Protective Order Violations and Murder-Suicide
Protective orders filed in custody disputes sometimes precede murder-suicide incidents within dangerously brief periods of time. Research documentation found that 67 percent of the protective orders filed in murder-suicide cases occurred within two weeks of the fatal incident. What’s more, 42 percent of these protective orders specifically concerned custodial issues that involved the children of the perpetrator. Private investigators near me know that protective order filing can cause violent escalation in unstable people. Additionally, perpetrators who are facing loss of access to children choose murder-suicide over permanent separation from children, at times. Child custody private investigators in Edmond, Oklahoma, observe cases in which protective orders have been recently granted or have been changed. Moreover, the time right after protective order service is the time when there is the greatest danger of violence. For these reasons, investigators must adopt even more safety protocols during this crucial period for the safety of vulnerable children and parents.
Access to Firearms and Child Homicide-Suicide Cases
Gunshot wounds killed the vast majority of child victims in custody-related murder-suicides. Statistics show that perpetrators shot 58 percent of these children killed in these incidents. Furthermore, 89 percent of homicides and 91 percent of killings by perpetrators used guns as the main weapon. Private investigators in Norman, Oklahoma, are aware that the accessibility of firearms dramatically heightens the risk of lethality in custody disputes. Additionally, perpetrators who have access to weapons and who have custody complaints pose extreme dangers to children. Process servers in Edmond, Oklahoma, know that investigators will be evaluating weapon ownership in the pursuit of a custody investigation. In addition, courts should take firearm ownership into account when assessing parental fitness and safety concerns. Therefore, investigators must report weapon access as an essential part of the comprehensive protocols of custody investigations in the interest of the child’s safety.
Multiple Child Victims in Family Annihilation Cases
Approximately 52 percent of custody-related murder-suicides involve more than one child and not just a single child. Research is revealing that often these incidents involving more than one victim involve the other parent or additional children from the relationship. Furthermore, family annihilation situations reflect the perpetrator’s desire to destroy the entire family unit. Child custody private investigators in OKC note that in cases of multiple victims, the attacks may be premeditated and planned and not fueled by spontaneous rage. Otherwise, perpetrators in these situations will often leave notes about their activities, or they may express suicidal intent prior to their act. Murder private investigators in Oklahoma City say 30 percent of perpetrators made no threats to their family members. In addition, those involved in identifying multiple children with multiple risk factors must have comprehensive safety plans for whole families. Consequently, awareness of the patterns of risk of family annihilation allows investigators to implement specific intervention strategies at the time of high levels of conflict in custody disputes.
Parental Burden and Altruism-Based Views
Some examples of custody-related murder-suicides include perpetrators who feel that they have an insurmountable burden of being a parent, or that there has been altruistic motivation in the murders. Studies show that four percent of cases of parental perpetrators involved explicit parental burden as the main circumstance. Further, seven percent of the incidents involved perpetrators using merciful killing or altruism as an excuse. Private investigators in Oklahoma City are aware that financially strained or socially outcast parents can become monsters in terms of their thoughts about the children’s welfare. Additionally, perpetrators sometimes think that children would suffer more to live than to die. Process servers near me know that Custody battles can cause and reinforce feelings of inadequacy and excessive responsibility. Moreover, investigators need to detect parents who express hopelessness, financial desperation, or isolation during custody evaluations. Therefore, attending to parental support demands and mental health issues is a key area of prevention during custody investigations.
Criminal and Legal Problem Escalation
Pending criminal charges/legal problems precipitate 25 percent of custody-related murder-suicides. Research reveals that 30 percent of these cases involved intimate partner violence charges against the perpetrator. Furthermore, perpetrators who are facing prosecutions by criminal authorities are, in some cases, opting for murder-suicide rather than incarceration and the permanent loss of their children. Child custody private investigators in Edmond, Oklahoma, track cases where parents are about to be arrested or charged with a crime. In addition, the time between the filing of a charge and the court dates is a high-risk time for violent escalation. Murder Private investigators in Norman, Oklahoma, realize that perpetrators see legal consequences as insurmountable obstacles. Further, persons who risk a loss of custody as well as criminal penalties may view murder-suicide as their sole choice. As a result, investigators need to closely coordinate with law enforcement in cases where parents in custody disputes have concurrent criminal charges.
Protect your children from custody disputes. Our experienced child custody private investigators in Oklahoma City offer complete safety assessments and evidence gathering to offer protection for children in high conflict situations. Contact us right away at (405) 434-5746 or e-mail admin@ojpslegal.com for urgent custody investigation services all over Oklahoma.
