NAPD - Intrafamilial homicide: A neurocriminological and forensic psychological perspective

Time: December 15, 2025 - 1-2pm

Location: Webinar

Family or domestic homicide is an extreme form of domestic violence where a household member or significant other is murdered. Intrafamilial homicides can take several different forms, including the murder of newborns, infants, siblings, children, parents, significant others, or other family members. Motivations for acts of intrafamilial homicide vary by the nature of the relationship between the perpetrator and victim (e.g., spouse-spouse, parent-child, or child-parent) and a host of other factors. Survivors impacted by these events are left to suffer grave consequences, including serious trauma and the loss of a loved one. We understand the profound effects these traumatic events have on individuals, families, communities, and professional organizational settings. Our goal is to equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to help better understand and hopefully prevent these tragedies from occurring in the future.

This training course aims to provide attendees with an understanding of the different manifestations of family homicide as well as its causes, consequences, and risk factors. Intervention, screening, and prevention strategies will also be explored. Other topics explored in this training will include adverse life experiences, attachment problems, abnormal brain structures and chemistry, blood sugar imbalances, central nervous system dysfunction, unhealthy nutritional practices, HPA axis dysfunction (a system that controls reactions to stress and regulates many body processes), psychiatric comorbidity, substance misuse, stalking, rumination, dysfunctional interpersonal dynamics, possessiveness, estrangement, coercive control, brain injury, strangulation, abrupt life changes (e.g., job loss), self-regulation deficits, victim-offender dynamics, executive dysfunction, self-destructive behaviors, and humiliation to name a few. Research findings from the fields of neurocriminology and forensic psychology will also be used throughout this training to further enhance our understanding of these complex topics.

Additional information and online registration.