Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs)

Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) were established on a statutory basis under Section 9 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act (2004) which came into effect on 13 April 2011.

Under guidance issued by the Home Office, any incident of domestic violence or abuse which results in the death of the victim requires a DHR to be carried out by the local Community Safety Partnership. 

The purpose of the multi-agency review is to ensure that agencies are responding appropriately to victims of domestic violence and to apply any lessons learned through an action plan or recommendations.

There are no inquiries into who is culpable, this is for the court or coroner to decide.

Recently published DHRs

Domestic Homicide Review and Safeguarding Adult Review in the case of Susan (completed April 2022, final approval received by Home Office in March 2024)

• DHR and SAR in the case of Susan final report (PDF, 571kb)
• Feedback letter from the Home Office in the case of Susan (PDF, 132kb)

Domestic Homicide Review in the case of Steven (March 2022)

• DHR in the case of Steven final report (PDF, 591kb)
• Feedback letter from the Home Office in the case of Steven (PDF, 84kb)

Domestic Homicide Review in the case of Siobhan (September 2021)

• DHR in the case of Siobhan final report (PDF, 845kb)
• Feedback letter from the Home Office in the case of Siobhan (PDF, 81kb)

Domestic Homicide Review and Safeguarding Adult Review in the case of Peter (June 2021)

• DHR in the case of Peter executive summary (PDF, 317kb)
• DHR in the case of Peter overview report (PDF, 550kb)
• Feedback letter from the Home Office in the case of Peter (PDF, 87kb)

Domestic Homicide Review in the case of Niki (December 2019)

• DHR in the case of Niki final report (PDF, 518kb)

Domestic Homicide Review in the case of Denise (April 2016)

• DHR in the case of Denise final report (PDF, 778kb)

Further information

• Home Office Multi-agency Statutory Guidance for the Conduct of Domestic Homicide Reviews.
• Leaflets from the Home Office website.
• AAFDA - Action After Fatal Domestic Abuse - offers support to those affected by a domestic homicide, regardless of whether they are involved in a Homicide Review.