[The expanded suicide attempt in depressive patients and its sequelae. The forensic and therapeutic considerations in 3 case reports].

Despite of the frequency of depressive disorders among the population, forensic aspects of depression are rare and usually focussed on suicidal behaviour, especially the so-called homicide-suicide (homicide followed by suicide). Today therapeutic strategies are seen in the first stage of dealing with depressed homicide-suicide attempters. Apart from the question of guilt with regard to the homicidal act, the question of recurrence of depression and the danger of a possibly repeated homicidal-suicidal behaviour are discussed in the light of three clinical cases.