Abstract: Objective To summarize the characteristics of family homicide cases and to provide reference for the analysis and prevention of such cases. Methods Seventeen solved family homicide cases in Liyang from 2004 to 2014 were investigated. The original registration information, record of scene investigation, corpse inspection report and case situation were analyzed statistically. Results The characteristics of the 17 family homicides cases showed that most victims were female and most suspects were male, and spouse infidelity and suspected spouse infidelity have higher proportion in the motives for the killings. Murders by patients with psychosis, camouflage murders and murder-suicides occupied a certain proportion in the family homicide cases. Conclusion The family homicide cases are correlated with the family factors such as extramarital sexual intercourse and murder by patients with psychosis. Some suspects suicided after murder. The tools for committing crimes have the features of simplicity, randomness and easy source availability.

Key words:  forensic pathology, homicide, family, cases analysis