Forensic Medicine · Forensic Sexology & Obstetrics

Foeticide, Neonaticide, Infanticide & Viability

1 min read · Verified by professors

Definitions

  • Foeticide is the destruction of a fetus at any time before complete birth.
  • Neonaticide is the killing of a newborn child within the first 24 hours of life.
  • Infanticide is the unlawful killing of an infant after birth, usually referring to a child below one year of age.
Conception → Fetus in Uterus → Foeticide (death before complete birth)
→ Birth → Live-born Infant → Neonaticide (within first 24 hours)
→ Infancy → Infanticide (killing of infant)

Difference Between Foeticide, Neonaticide and Infanticide

FeatureFoeticideNeonaticideInfanticide
VictimFetusNewborn infantInfant
TimeBefore complete birthWithin 24 hours after birthAfter birth, usually below 1 year
PlaceIn uteroAfter deliveryAfter delivery
Status of ChildUnbornNewly bornInfant