Content analysis of infanticide and neonaticide cases in the UK

Twenty cases, 14 infanticides and 6 neonaticides committed between 1989 2020 by biological mothers were analysed using Smallest Space Analysis for the presence of themes. Three themes associated with offender motivation identified: Desperation, Disturbance Rejection. Desperation theme included variables suggesting mother crime as a result distress or perceived necessity. suggested behind offence to be mother's caregiving role being disturbed; Rejection explained complete maternal rejection infant new-born crime. Alongside themes, three core identified common regardless motivation: at Home, victim Female, Denied mother. The implications findings are discussed including potential an investigative support tool developing understandings neonaticide infanticide separate crimes.