Clinical Clues to Homicide-Suicide: Identifying Warning Signs in Patients

Friday, September 8, 2023

5:15 PM – 6:30 PM CT

Location: Davidson B

Speaker(s)

Phillip Resnick, MD

Professor of Psychiatry
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University

This session aims to educate clinicians about the clinical clues and warning signs associated with homicide-suicide, a devastating phenomenon that continues to impact individuals and communities worldwide. With mass murders occurring frequently in the United States and an increasing number of Americans experiencing fear and anxiety related to violence in public spaces, it is essential for mental health professionals to be able to identify and respond to patients who may be at risk of engaging in these behaviors. This presentation will provide participants with practical strategies for assessing and managing patients who may be considering killing others before taking their own lives, including risk assessment tools and intervention techniques. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how to recognize the clinical signs of homicide-suicide, as well as an increased ability to respond effectively to patients in crisis.

Learning Objectives:

To identify clues that indicate that a person is contemplating homicide followed by suicide.
To identify patterns of persons who kill their families.
To identify the motives of mass murderers who go on to kill themselves.