Abstract

Prevention of intimate partner violence and the criminal offense of intimate partner femicide represent a constant challenge for identifying the risk factors and recognizing the likelihood of their occurrence, while providing the earliest possible interventions in order to prevent them. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the previous studies addressing the topic of intimate partner femicide perpetrators, both in terms of the typology of perpetrators, their previous violent behavior, existence of mental disorders, the influence of alcohol and drug abuse, as well as the influence of depression and suicidal ideations on the perpetration of homicide or homicide-suicide. In conclusion, the importance of professionals recognizing the possible perpetrators among those they potentially encounter is emphasized, whether from the areas of health, police, social welfare or the judicial system, along with the importance of educating the public about the potential danger and the possible fatal consequences of the most serious criminal offenses, in order to provide protective and therapeutic interventions to the victims of intimate partner violence as soon as possible.