Introduction

Intimate Partner Femicide (IPF) is an extreme form of domestic violence that occurs when a man kills his current or former female partner [1, 2]. The most common forms of violence experienced by women are perpetrated by intimate partners [3–6]. The gendered nature of intimate partner femicide (IPF) has drawn particular attention [7]. Reducing violence against women has been recognized as a significant public health objective, integrated into international prevention strategies, policies, and programs [8].

Gender-based violence is closely linked to femicide and is often associated with physical, psychological, or sexual abuse [4]. Common criminological theories address key factors such as pre-existing relationships, prior abuse, control and possessiveness, and the final stage of escalating violence [9–13].

The perpetrator is often the victim’s current or former intimate partner, with whom she had a close relationship (e.g., married, cohabiting, or dating) [14–19]. In many cases, intimate partner femicide occurs after years of psychological, physical, or economic abuse, often ignored or minimized by those around the victim [15–22]. Pathological jealousy [16] and controlling behaviors [2] are common traits among perpetrators. Violent men seek to exert power over their partners and react violently to a perceived loss of control (e.g., at the end of the relationship) [2, 23].

Homicide typically represents the culmination of violence that has escalated over time. Many IPF victims had experienced previous assaults but were unable to escape or seek help due to fear, economic dependence, or social isolation [21].

Other types of gender-related violence are also examined in criminological research. In cases of non-intimate partner femicide (NIPF) [24], the perpetrator is someone who has no romantic or intimate relationship with the victim. This could be a stranger or someone with whom the victim had a superficial connection, such as an acquaintance, colleague, or friend, without lasting emotional ties.

Unlike intimate partner femicides, these killings are not always driven by dynamics of control or possessiveness [25]. In some cases, the perpetrator may be sexually motivated, such as in murders following rape, or driven by personal grudges, misogyny, or untreated psychological trauma [26–32]. They are often characterized by violent impulses, anger, or a desire for revenge. Some women are killed in the context of sexual violence or in circumstances where the perpetrator has no emotional connection to the victim [8, 33].

The connection between prevalence and psychopathology in IPF is essential to understanding the complexity of this phenomenon. On one hand, the high incidence of these homicides is closely linked to the presence of psychiatric risk factors in perpetrators, including personality disorders, substance abuse, and severe psychopathologies [31, 34]. On the other hand, the analysis of the pathological characteristics of both victims and perpetrators allows for the development of a criminological and forensic profile useful for prevention [2].

According to the literature, most victims had previously experienced psychological, physical, or economic violence, often downplayed or ignored [2]. Perpetrators, on the other hand, frequently exhibit controlling behaviors, pathological jealousy, and emotional instability, which can escalate into lethal violence [35]. Understanding these pathological aspects, alongside epidemiological data on IPF prevalence, enables the identification of women at risk and the development of more effective intervention strategies [8, 33, 36].

Violence and violent behaviors seem to vary across regions, possibly due to cultural differences and the social interpretation of women’s roles. The primary objective of this article is to describe the dominant demographic characteristics of IPF victims in the various countries analyzed and to provide recurrent patterns and shared risk characteristics among IPF victims. Secondly, it aims to examine criminological, forensic, and pathological features observed during autopsies. Finally, it seeks to identify the forensic psychiatric profiles associated with IPF perpetrators [36].