Customary Homicides in Diyarbakir Province |
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| Authors: | Eyyup Yilmaz MD Nergis Canturk MD Zerrin Erkol MD Bahadir Kumral MD Ali M Okumus PhD |
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| Institution: | 1. Council of Forensic Medicine, Diyarbakir Group Presidency, Diyarbakir, Turkey;2. Department of Criminalistics, Institute of Forensic Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey;3. Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey;4. Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey;5. Ministry of Justice, Prosecutor of Diyarbakir, Diyarbakir, Turkey |
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| Abstract: | This study presents an analysis of the causes of so‐called honor killings in the context of “customary homicide” and a discussion of preventive measures. Finalized case files of customary homicide between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2012 were retrospectively examined in Diyarbakir Province, Turkey. Of a total of 28 case victims, 17 (60.7%) were females and 11 (39.3%) were males. All perpetrators were male. There was a significant difference between male and female victims in terms of economic independence (p = 0.000). A direct blood relationship or relationship by marriage (such as brother‐in‐law) was found to have a significant association with the gender of the victim (p < 0.001). Multilevel educational activities targeting a transformation of the perception of women by society, replacement of patriarchal models with more modern attitudes, and encouragement of individuality may represent effective strategies that may help reduce the number of customary homicide, which represents a multifaceted problem. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science behavioral sciences violence homicide custom killings honor killings |
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