Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDRs)

In February 2024, the UK Home Office announced significant changes to the way fatal domestic abuse cases are reviewed. These changes were made in response to concerns raised by charities, bereaved families, and professionals working in safeguarding. Here's an overview of the key updates:

Name change

• Old name: Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs)
• New name: Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDRs)

This change was made to better reflect the full scope of deaths resulting from domestic abuse, including suicides, which were previously under-recognised in the review process

Reviews can now be commissioned whenever a death appears to have resulted from domestic abuse, not just homicides. This includes deaths linked to: 

• Coercive and controlling behaviour
• Emotional and economic abuse
• Suicide resulting from abuse

This aligns with the broader legal definition of domestic abuse introduced in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Published DARDRs

Domestic Homicide Review in the case of Bailey (June 2025)

• DHR in the case of Bailey final report (PDF, 759kb)
• Feedback letter from the Home Office in the case of Bailey (PDF, 103kb)

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.