Predictors of Intimate Partner Homicide in a Sample of Portuguese Male Domestic Offenders

Intimate partner homicide (IPH) is a major social problem, and it is important to determine the predictors of this violent behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences between intimate partner violence (IPV) and IPH and to identify the variables that predict IPH. The sample was composed of 35 perpetrators of IPH, who were compared with 137 perpetrators of IPV. The data were collected using the Spousal Abuse Risk Assessment. The data suggest that IPH presents different dynamics from IPV. Being older, exhibiting suicidal and/or homicidal ideation/intent, and the use of weapons and/or credible threats of death substantially increase a man's risk of committing IPH. Inversely, not being single, violating conditional release, and being victimized in childhood decrease the likelihood of committing IPH. These findings reinforce the assumption that IPV and IPH have both commonalities and differences and challenge the view that IPV and IPH are different phenomena and that intimate partner murder is an inexplicable event. Implications for preventing IPV and IPH are discussed.