Why Mothers Kill

"This book provides a fresh perspective on the psychological forces that cause mothers to kill their children through systematic in depth analyses. It offers a wonderful combination of humanity and scientific rigor."-- Phillip J. Resnick, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Case Medical School "In Why Mothers Kill: A Forensic Psychologist's Casebook, Geoff McKee offers the kind of explanations that have been carefully developed through the discerning eye of an experienced forensic clinician. The cases are varied and rich in detail; the explanatory framework is clear and well supported by the cases. Any judge, lawyer, clinician, mental health administrator, or policy-maker needing to know more about this topic will find Why Mothers Kill to be invaluable."-- Kirk Heilbrun, Ph.D., ABPP, Professor and Head, Department of Psychology, Drexel University "Geoffrey McKee has written a superbly readable and scholarly book on the complex issues involved in filicide. His book makes a significant contribution to understanding the multiple paths which lead to mothers killing their offspring. A wide range of professionals and laypersons should have this book as a resource to help in the prevention and interventions of mothers at risk for filicide."-- George R. Holmes, PhD, Distinguished Professor, University of South Carolina Medical School "McKee's thorough review of research in cases of murders by mothers led to his development of the Maternal Filicide Risk Matrix, a tool helpful in understanding the risk and protective factors affecting such perpetrators. More than a dozen case histories included in this casebook demonstrate its value in differentiating causal factors and mental states of these women. The book should be read by all who deal with troubled females, especially those females who are pregnant or who have young children."-- Lita Linzer Schwartz, Ph.D., ABPP, Distinguished Professor Emerita, The Pennsylvania State University "McKee has produced a wonderfully useful resource for all those who are concerned with the persistence of the seemingly incomprehensible crime of maternal filicide. Perhaps his greatest contribution is the creation of a Maternal Filicide Risk Matrix, which enables us to understand these mothers' acts in the context of their lives, and the lives of their families and communities. Using this risk matrix, we are afforded a clear view of the flash points of risk - the moments when intervention might have made a vital difference in saving the lives of these children, and of their mothers. As such, in spite of its sad topic, this book is replete with optimism and points the way to a future in which this crime truly will be preventable."-- Michelle Oberman, JD, Professor of Law, Santa Clara University School of Law, Co-author, Mothers Who Kill Their Children: Understanding the Acts of Moms from Susan Smith to the "Prom Mom" (NYU Press, 2001) "This book was both stimulating and insightful, as well as provides a clear account of the parameters to which he was working...I believe this book to be an invaluable resource. Indeed, I would advocate that each child protection team and social work department have access to a copy of this book in order to assist in the prevention of this type of crime."--Jim Dunn, Metropolitan Police Service, Child Abuse Investigation Training, UK "This book provides a fresh perspective on the psychological forces that cause mothers to kill their children through systematic in depth analyses. It offers a wonderful combination of humanity and scientific rigor."-- Phillip J. Resnick, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Case Medical School "In Why Mothers Kill: A Forensic Psychologist's Casebook, Geoff McKee offers the kind of explanations that have been carefully developed through the discerning eye of an experienced forensic clinician. The cases are varied and rich in detail; the explanatory framework is clear and well supported by the cases. Any judge, lawyer, clinician, mental health administrator, or policy-maker needing to know more about this topic will find Why Mothers Kill to be invaluable."-- Kirk Heilbrun, Ph.D., ABPP, Professor and Head, Department of Psychology, Drexel University "Geoffrey McKee has written a superbly readable and scholarly book on the complex issues involved in filicide. His book makes a significant contribution to understanding the multiple paths which lead to mothers killing their offspring. A wide range of professionals and laypersons should have this book as a resource to help in the prevention and interventions of mothers at risk for filicide."-- George R. Holmes, PhD, Distinguished Professor, University of South Carolina Medical School "McKee's thorough review of research in cases of murders by mothers led to his development of the Maternal Filicide Risk Matrix, a tool helpful in understanding the risk and protective factors affecting such perpetrators. More than a dozen case histories included in this casebook demonstrate its value in differentiating causal factors and mental states of these women. The book should be read by all who deal with troubled females, especially those females who are pregnant or who have young children."-- Lita Linzer Schwartz, Ph.D., ABPP, Distinguished Professor Emerita, The Pennsylvania State University "McKee has produced a wonderfully useful resource for all those who are concerned with the persistence of the seemingly incomprehensible crime of maternal filicide. Perhaps his greatest contribution is the creation of a Maternal Filicide Risk Matrix, which enables us to understand these mothers' acts in the context of their lives, and the lives of their families and communities. Using this risk matrix, we are afforded a clear view of the flash points of risk - the moments when intervention might have made a vital difference in saving the lives of these children, and of their mothers. As such, in spite of its sad topic, this book is replete with optimism and points the way to a future in which this crime truly will be preventable."-- Michelle Oberman, JD, Professor of Law, Santa Clara University School of Law, Co-author, Mothers Who Kill Their Children: Understanding the Acts of Moms from Susan Smith to the "Prom Mom" (NYU Press, 2001) "This book was both stimulating and insightful, as well as provides a clear account of the parameters to which he was working...I believe this book to be an invaluable resource. Indeed, I would advocate that each child protection team and social work department have access to a copy of this book in order to assist in the prevention of this type of crime."--Jim Dunn, Metropolitan Police Service, Child Abuse Investigation Training, UK