ROAD MAP TO VIOLENCE – WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREDICT VIOLENCE?

There is no single road map to understanding the complexity of human behavior in general and homicide in particular.  If there were the rate of domestic violence homicide might be reduced to zero.  Unfortunately behavioral analysis as a science has not evolved into a reliable enough predictor of murder and cannot envisage when terminal rage might be unleashed.  The psychological autopsy is the study of individual cases that uncovers details about the pre-incident behaviors known as red flags. The application of this information can identify commonalities among cases of domestic violence so that police and social service agencies might have justification for early stopping and when necessary containment of high risk abusers.