A NATIONWIDE FORENSIC CASE-SERIES OF FEMICIDES IN ITALY: CLUES TO ITS EPIDEMIOLOGY, PREDICTION AND PREVENTION

Cecchi et al. (2022) proposed a medico-legal definition of femicide as “murder due to the failure to recognize women’s right to self-determination.” Femicide, a brutal form of violence against women and girls, is increasing globally despite growing awareness and legal protections such as recent Italian legislation. To better understand this phenomenon, a collaborative study was conducted across 27 Italian forensic institutes, analysing 1,240 female homicides in Italy since 1950 to identify key markers and predictors of femicide. Among these cases, 411 were classified as femicides and 395 as non-femicides. Data collected included motive, victim age, homicide circumstances, location, weapon used, relationship between victim and perpetrator, wound characteristics, and toxicology. The study found that perpetrators who were partners, clients, owners of extramarital affairs, or ex-partners were significantly more likely to commit femicide. Use of sharp weapons, firearms, and asphyxiation—especially involving multiple methods—also correlated with femicide. Femicides were more frequently committed in workplaces, indoor non-residential locations, outdoor settings, and vehicles, whereas non-femicides tended to occur at home. Overkilling and injuries to erogenous zones were distinct features of femicide. Additionally, the number of lesions showed a strong, nonlinear association with femicide likelihood, increasing steeply up to about 15 wounds. These findings offer important forensic indicators to help predict and potentially prevent femicide within the Italian population.