Search Results (23)

Background/Objectives: The extension of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide to individuals with mental disorders presents a profound ethical, clinical, and legal challenge. While increasingly accepted in some jurisdictions, their application in psychiatric contexts—particularly in cases of depression—raises concerns about diagnostic precision, therapeutic adequacy, and the validity of informed consent. This study examines two controversial Belgian cases to explore the complexities of euthanasia for psychological suffering. Methods: A qualitative case analysis was conducted through a qualitative analysis of publicly available media sources. The cases were examined through clinical, psychoanalytic, and medico-legal lenses to assess diagnostic clarity, treatment history, and ethical considerations. No access to official medical records was available. Case Presentation: The first case involved a young woman whose depressive symptoms were reportedly linked to trauma from a terrorist attack. The second concerned a middle-aged woman convicted of infanticide and later diagnosed with Major Depression. Discussion: In both cases, euthanasia was granted on the grounds of “irreversible psychological suffering.” However, the absence of detailed clinical documentation, potential unresolved trauma, and lack of psychodynamic assessment raised doubts about the robustness of the evaluations and the validity of informed consent. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for a more rigorous, multidisciplinary, and ethically grounded approach to psychiatric euthanasia. This study underscores the importance of precise diagnostic criteria, comprehensive treatment histories, and deeper exploration of unconscious and existential motivations. Safeguarding clinical integrity and ethical standards is essential in end-of-life decisions involving mental illness. Full article

This paper investigates the ultimate socioeconomic causes underlying the termination of parental investment in humans by analyzing the relationship between socioeconomic status and various forms of child mortality, including live births, stillbirths, infant deaths, and infanticide. Utilizing theoretical foundations from human behavioral ecology, the study illustrates how different forms of termination of parental investment can be viewed as points along a continuum of adaptive strategies aimed at optimizing reproductive fitness. The research emphasizes that technical and cognitive limitations lead to many instances of infanticide being concealed as natural child deaths, such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), thus complicating the accurate detection of true causes of death. However, addressing common ultimate causes—specifically socioeconomic factors such as healthcare accessibility, nutritional quality, social support, and stress reduction—can simultaneously prevent or reduce all forms of investment termination. The paper further analyzes demographic data from Zagreb and surrounding municipalities. Ultimately, the study advocates a holistic approach to public health interventions and policies aimed at improving socioeconomic conditions as a crucial step toward reducing all forms of child mortality. Full article

Background: Forensic investigation of child homicides presents unique challenges due to the vulnerability of children and the complexity of distinguishing between natural, accidental, and intentional manner of death. A multidisciplinary approach integrating traditional forensic methods with emerging technologies is crucial to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective legal outcomes. Methods: This review examines current and emerging forensic techniques used in neonate, infant, and older child homicide investigations. It highlights advancements in postmortem imaging, histological examination, microbiological analysis, toxicology, and molecular autopsy. Results: Traditional forensic autopsy remains the cornerstone of child homicide investigations, providing critical insights into external and internal injuries. Histological examination enhances diagnostic accuracy by detecting microscopic evidence of trauma and infectious diseases. Postmortem imaging techniques are complementary for better identifying fractures, soft tissue injuries, and vascular abnormalities. Forensic toxicology plays a key role in detecting poisoning, while postmortem microbiology aids in identifying infectious causes of death. Furthermore, advancements in molecular autopsy and genetic testing have significantly enhanced the identification of hereditary conditions linked to sudden unexplained deaths in children, especially in cases involving multiple child fatalities within the same family, where forensic investigations are needed to accurately differentiate between natural causes and potential criminal involvement. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach incorporating traditional autopsy with postmortem imaging, histological examination, toxicology, postmortem microbiology, and molecular autopsy is essential for comprehensive forensic analysis, promoting both justice and prevention of fatal child abuse/homicide. Future research should focus on standardizing forensic protocols and exploring the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in forensic investigations. Full article

Filial cannibalism is the consumption of one’s own viable progeny. It occurs in a range of taxa but is particularly well-documented in fish species. Since parental care in fishes is typically male-biased, it is usually assumed that filial cannibalism is predominantly performed by the parental male while he is providing care to offspring. Filial cannibalism by females is less studied in fish. Video-recorded observations of ten pairs of adults housed in captivity revealed the first documentation of female filial cannibalism in the redhead goby (Elacatinus puncticulatus). Females were observed consuming both their own eggs and larvae. We discuss non-adaptive and adaptive explanations for female filial cannibalism in the redhead goby, including confinement due to captivity, nutritional or energetic need, and a possible lack of kin recognition. Understanding the evolutionary significance of filial cannibalism exhibited by females is an important biological inquiry. Since the redhead goby is a species used in the aquarium trade, understanding the conditions that influence female filial cannibalism in captivity may yield practical implications. Full article

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychiatric disorder, affecting approximately 25–35% of individuals exposed to significant psychological trauma. Despite extensive research, the underlying biological mechanisms of PTSD remain poorly understood, and the effectiveness of trauma-focused psychotherapeutic interventions is limited. To date, animal studies investigating trauma responses have primarily relied on rodent models, with the potential contributions of non-human primates relatively neglected. In this study, matched-control observations were employed to examine maternal caregiving behaviors, prosocial interactions, and responses to alarm calls in free-ranging golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) before and after an infanticide event. Results indicated a significant decrease in prosocial behaviors among some mothers, accompanied by significant increases in caregiving behaviors, heightened responsiveness to alarm calls, and indications of low mood. These findings provide evidence of trauma-related behavioral changes in golden snub-nosed monkeys, underscoring their utility as a model for studying PTSD given the similarity to trauma responses observed in humans. Overall, this study provides a foundation for further investigation into the evolutionary and biological aspects of PTSD, as well as the interactions between species-specific trauma responses. Future research should explore the use of non-human primate models to deepen our understanding of PTSD mechanisms. Full article

Adoption among nonhuman primates (hereafter primates) has been widely reported, particularly in chimpanzees, renowned for their higher intelligence and well-developed cognition. In contrast to adoption in other Old World monkeys, this case of adoption in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) involves two infants associated with three units characterized by distinct social structures and reproductive functions. Consequently, this case extends beyond traditional hypotheses on allomaternal care and adoption—such as enhancing the fitness of adoptive mothers, fostering maternal behaviors, and improving fitness through social and individual interactions—to necessitate an association with the complex social structure characterized by hierarchical, multilevel composition, akin to human society, and intense sexual selection that frequently results in infanticide. Specifically, adopting an infant with a genetic link to the dominant male of the adopting female may reduce the risk of infanticide against her offspring that do not share a biological link with the dominant male. This adoption pattern suggests that golden snub-nosed monkeys may possess more sophisticated intelligence and cognition, characteristics supported by more developed brain structure and facial muscles than the other Old World monkeys. Full article

Avian brood reduction was initially thought to be driven by insufficient food supply. Now it is more commonly considered a consequence of asynchronous hatching and resulting siblicide, direct filial infanticide (where parents kill specific chicks) or indirect filial infanticide (where parents starve specific chicks). In psittacines, brood reduction has been reported, but the mechanisms and causes remain unexplored. In this paper, we test the hypotheses that Scarlet Macaw chick starvation is driven by (1) sibling aggression, (2) food scarcity, and (3) parental food allocation based on (a) chick hatch weight and (b) chick age differences. We documented wild Scarlet Macaw behavior in lowland Peru in 37 nests over 19 seasons using morphological measurements and nest videos. Chick starvation was the leading cause of chick mortality (27% of all second-hatched chicks starve, and nearly all third- and fourth-hatched chicks starve). We found no evidence that starvation was caused by (1) sibling conflicts or (2) food availability. We did find parental food distribution favors first-hatched chicks, with larger age differences increasing the chances of second chick starvation. This study offers insights into brood reduction among Neotropical cavity-nesting birds and enhances our capacity to develop scientifically informed management strategies to support endangered psittacines. Full article

Intrafamilial child/adolescent homicide is the murder of a child/adolescent by one or more family members. This study delves into the medical and sociological consequences of child homicide, shedding light on the broader impact beyond individual families, which extends into the local community. Two Internet search engines and the search engines of major national news websites were surveyed to identify the number of intrafamilial child/adolescent homicide cases that occurred in Greece from January 2010 to December 2020. Over the study period, 34 victims of intrafamilial child/adolescent homicides were identified. The above deaths reflect an intrafamilial child/adolescent homicide rate of 0.15 homicides per year per 100,000 inhabitants. Most of the perpetrators (51.4%) were male, and the victims were equally divided into males and females. The ages of the perpetrators ranged from 13 to 61 years, and the ages of the victims ranged between 0 and 17 years. Most perpetrators (54.5%) had a previous psychiatric history and in many cases, they committed (33.3%) or attempted (15.2%) suicide after the homicide. The most common method of homicide was strangulation (usually combined with suffocation) (25%), followed by abandonment (15.6%). The most commonly reported motives were spousal revenge (26.5%) and psychotic disorders (26.5%). Raising awareness for intrafamilial child and adolescent homicide is of the utmost importance for the prevention of this dreadful phenomenon. Full article

Male mammals display different paternal responses to pups, either attacking or killing the young offspring, or contrastingly, caring for them. The neural circuit mechanism underlying the between-individual variation in the pup-directed responsiveness of male mammals remains unclear. Monogamous mandarin voles were used to complete the present study. The male individuals were identified as paternal and infanticidal voles, according their behavioral responses to pups. It was found that the serotonin release in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), as well as the serotonergic neuron activity, significantly increased upon licking the pups, but showed no changes after attacking the pups, as revealed by the in vivo fiber photometry of the fluorescence signal from the 5-HT 1.0 sensor and the calcium imaging indicator, respectively. It was verified that the 5-HTergic neural projections to the MPOA originated mainly from the ventral part of the dorsal raphe (vDR). Furthermore, the chemogenetic inhibition of serotonergic projections from the vDR to the MPOA decreased the paternal behaviors and shortened the latency to attack the pups. In contrast, the activation of serotonergic neurons via optogenetics extended the licking duration and inhibited infanticide. Collectively, these results elucidate that the serotonergic projections from the vDR to the MPOA, a previously unrecognized pathway, regulate the paternal responses of virgin male mandarin voles to pups. Full article

The German and Swedish Lutheran Mission was a major and pioneering Protestant mission society that started its mission work in Tamil Nadu. The Halle Danish, Leipzig mission, and Church of Sweden mission societies had a larger mission field in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Christians are intimately associated with the German Lutheran Mission and Swedish Mission. The first German Lutheran missionaries, Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg and Heinrich Plütschau, came to India in 1706. From then on, many Lutheran missionaries came to Tamil Nadu. Afterwards Tamil Nadu became a thriving Christian center for decades, with a strong Christian congregation, church, and several institutions. The majority of these Christians are descendants of Dalits (former untouchable Paraiyars) and Kallars who embraced Christianity. From a life of near slavery, poverty, illiteracy, oppression, and indignity, conversion to Christianity transformed the lives of these people. Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Dalits and Kallars found liberation and have made significant progress because of the Christian missionaries of the Church of the German and Swedish Mission. Both the German and Swedish Mission offered the Gospel of a new religion to not only the subaltern people but also the possibility of secular salvation. The history of Lutherans needs to be understood as a part of Christian subaltern history (Analysing the Indian mission history from the native perspective). My paper will mainly focus on Tamil Lutheran Dalit and Kallar Christians. In this paper, I propose to elucidate the role of German and Swedish Lutheran missionaries in the social, economic, educational, and spiritual life of Tamil Lutheran Dalits and Kallars. Due to the page limit, I am going to mainly focus on Swedish Mission and Kallar Lutheran Christians. Full article

Post-partum depression is one of the most severe types of depression and can be developed at any age, no matter of cultural of social status. Objectives. To determine the factors associated with the psychological impact of pregnancy and to emphasize the psychological and psychiatric risks after giving birth for a woman. Materials and Methods. The study enrolled 35 patients diagnosed with postpartum depression that have been hospitalized in a tertiary-care center for psychiatric disorders between 2016 and 2020. Data were collected from patients’ observation charts. Results. The incidence of postpartum depression is higher in the age range 30-45 years old for primiparous women who are from urban areas, unemployed and not integrated in a family (unbalanced families or single parents), with medium level of education (high school) and alcohol addiction. One of 35 patients committed infanticide. Conclusions. Even if the postpartum depression is known worldwide it is still underdiagnosed, with certain factors concurring to that. Postpartum depression requires the identification of risk conditions in pregnant women and individualized therapy in a patient-centered, holistic manner. Full article

In wild primates, infanticide is a risk that is especially prevalent when a new male takes over the alpha position. Insight into risk factors related to infanticide may decrease the incidence of infanticide in captivity during male introductions. We investigated several risk factors of infanticide derived from hypotheses explaining infanticide in the wild and tested this in captive long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) using demographic data spanning a 25.5-year period. Factors that are related to infanticide in the wild explained a large proportion, but not all incidences, of infanticide in captivity. Consistent with the wild data, infants young enough to decrease the interbirth interval (<215 days) were at risk of being killed. In contrast to studies from the wild, infanticidal males were more than 2.5 years younger than non-infanticidal males. This indicates that captive settings can lead to new risks since relatively young males may gain the alpha position, promoting infanticide. Therefore, we propose the adolescent male risk hypothesis as a captive risk factor in which subadult males pose a risk of infanticide. In conclusion, the ages of both males and infants are related to infanticide in captivity and have to be taken into account during male introductions. Full article

Welfare and management decisions for unowned free-ranging cats in urban environments should no longer be based on knowledge about behavioural ecology of solitary cats living and breeding in more natural ‘wild’ environments. We provide evidence that urban free-ranging domestic cats in the Anthropocene have responded to rapidly changing environments, such as abundance of food and higher population densities of conspecifics by adapting their behaviour (behavioural plasticity—the ability of a genotype (individual) to express different behaviours according to its environment) and social organisation to living in complex social groups, especially those living in colonies. Urban free-ranging cats are now more social, as demonstrated by different breeding patterns, lower infanticide, more frequent affiliative interactions in general, and different spatial groupings. We argue that this knowledge should be disseminated widely, and inform future research and strategies used to manage free-ranging cats across environments. Understanding behavioural plasticity and other recently evolved traits of domestic cats may lead to management strategies that maximise health and welfare of cats, wildlife, and humans—otherwise domestic cat behaviour may be ‘misunderstood’. Importantly, interdisciplinary research using expertise from biological and social sciences, and engaging human communities, should evaluate these management strategies to ensure they maintain optimal welfare of free-ranging domestic cats while preserving biodiversity and protecting wildcats. Full article

Background: At an international level, the risk assessment and management process of violent offenders follows a standard method that implies well-defined theoretical models and the use of scientifically validated tools. In Italy, this process is still highly discretionary. The aim of this study is to highlight the advantages deriving from the use of risk assessment tools within the framework of a single case study; Methods: Recidivism risk and social dangerousness of an Italian woman perpetrator of filicide were assessed through the administration of the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) instrument supported by Historical Clinical Risk-20 Version 3 (HCR-20 V3); Results: The administration of LS/CMI showed that, in this single case, the subcomponents represent a criminogenic risk/need factor are: Family/Marital, Companions, Alcohol and Drug Problem and Leisure; while constituting strengths: employment and the absence of a Pro-criminal Orientation and an Antisocial Pattern; Conclusions: Data collected through LS/CMI indicated life areas of a single case, which should be emphasised not only to assess the risk of re-offending and social dangerousness but also for a social rehabilitation programme more suited to the subject. This study demonstrates that the LS/CMI assessment tool is suitable for the Italian context. Full article

Previous studies have indicated gender-based discriminatory practices as a result of son preference up to the first half of the 20th century in Greece. Demographic indices calculated from published vital statistics, such as sex ratios at birth and at childhood, were distorted to such an extent that certain scholars suggest that this distortion was due to sex-selective infanticide and neglect of the girls. Although we cannot exclude this possibility, the aim of this paper is to assess to what extent under-registration of female births (in the civil registration system) and under-enumeration of females (in censuses) accounted for the skewed sex ratios and to pinpoint that gender-based discrimination was not the same all over Greece. There were areas in insular Greece, notably the Ionian islands and the Aegean Archipelago, and one area in mainland Greece (Epirus) where demographic indices imply that gender inequalities were less acute. On the other hand, there were areas in mainland Greece, notably in Thessaly, where sex-differential mortality denotes extremely unequal treatment of girls. Full article