DEATHS FIT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROFILE.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

The stress and anguish that Simi Valley police said probably caused Ahmad Mouhamad Salman to kill his family and then himself Tuesday fits with behavior shown by wife abusers and those who have committed random violence, experts said.

``A lot of incidents like this often trace back to financial problems, and it's usually the man,'' said Robert J. Meadows, associate professor of sociology and criminal justice at California Lutheran University. ``It's usually ego deflation - emasculation, if you will. His feeling is that nobody else should be able to provide for his family.''

Authorities and neighbors said that Salman had been out of work about six months after working as an inspector in the computer industry. The family had fallen into debt and was selling their home to escape financial burdens.

That frustration and depression may have led Salman to chase his wife and three boys with a hunting rifle and shoot them down before shooting himself, authorities said.

Scott Barrella, an ACT Domestic Violence Program director who does most of his work in Simi Valley, said Salman showed signs of hopelessness and depression that are common symptoms leading to violent behavior.

``This kind of incident doesn't flare up out of nothing,'' Barrella said. ``The loss of a job often puts people on an emotional roller coaster. Those bouts are usually in visible view of family members.''

While residents feel that their community is safe - and statistics have proved that to be true - domestic violence is a problem in Simi Valley.

In 1996 there were 599 reported incidents in the city. By definition, domestic violence takes place between adults who have lived in the same household for an extended period - a definition that includes ex-girlfriends or boyfriends, longtime roommates, husbands and wives.

On Tuesday, police had not revealed whether there had been domestic violence reports taken at the home, at 6142 Hope St.

But the family most likely knew that Salman had become more unstable over time even if he had not shown violent behavior before, Meadows said.

``This is often building. The behavior changes are noticeable,'' Meadows said. ``They often start talking about death or dying. . . . There's depression, outbursts of anger, rages and loss of activity. The family probably had signs for six to eight months, maybe longer.''

He may have also attempted to isolate himself and his family, typical signs of someone who is suicidal, Barrella said.

In cases of murder-suicides, the motivation often extends beyond depression to jealousy and anger, Meadows said. A man may not be able to provide for his family, but he doesn't want anyone else to take his place, Meadows said.

``Oftentimes, the family is looked at as a unit. They think, `If I can't have you and take care of you, I don't want anyone else to,' '' he said.