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Dick says the report held findings about the victims, the perpetrators (52 percent were employed at the time of the murder; 27 percent were on parole or probation) and the couples history pointing to risk factors for intimate partner homicide, with separation from the abuser ranking among the highest risk factors of all.

Findings on Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Homicide
(Hamilton County, Ohio)

Separated: 77 percent
Substance abuse: 68 percent
Increase in frequency of abuse: 66 percent
Gun involved: 66 percent
Criminal history: 63 percent
Stalking: 53 percent
Prior domestic violence charge: 48 percent
Threats to kill: 46 percent
Prior history child abuse: 41 percent
Threats of suicide: 41 percent
Perpetrator mental illness: 33 percent
Perpetrator bought a weapon: 33 percent
Property damage: 33 percent
Threats with weapons: 32 percent
Previous serious injury: 28 percent
Sexual assault: 24 percent
Strangulation: 22 percent
Violated protection order: 20 percent
Sadistic/hostage acts: 20 percent
Animal abuse: 5 percent

The report included these recommendations regarding assessment, intervention and education to be incorporated into policy and procedure for counselors, police and other professionals who assist domestic violence victims. Those recommendations include

• Reviewing and assessing the past history of domestic violence

• In assessing a situation, discussing the effects of domestic violence on children

• Conducting a lethality assessment on men arrested for domestic violence prior to their release from jail