This study aimed to describe the social, behavioural and offence characteristics of all convicted perpetrators of homicide aged 17 and under; to examine their previous contact with mental health services, and to discuss strategies for homicide prevention. An eight-year (1996-2004) sample of 363 juvenile homicide perpetrators in England and Wales was examined. The majority of perpetrators were male, used a sharp instrument, and most victims were acquaintances or strangers. Over half had previously offended. A history of alcohol and/or drug misuse was common, as was the prevalence of family dysfunction, abuse, educational difficulties or discipline problems. Previous contact with mental health services was rare. Earlier intervention targeting social and psychological adversity and substance misuse could help to reduce the level of risk for future violence, and may reduce homicide rates among juveniles. Strengthening engagement with young offenders and increasing resources to prevent recidivism may also be beneficial.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.03.005 | DOI Listing |
Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol
January 2025
Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Iowa State University, Ames, USA.
Despite cultural references to the dangers of hitchhiking, particularly for sexual homicide, no published research investigates these incidents from both an offender and crime scene perspective. Using the Sexual Homicide International Database (SHIelD), we explore lifestyle risk by comparing sexual homicide cases involving hitchhiking victims to those involving victims engaged in sex trade work. The results, based on the use of bivariate and multivariate statistics, indicate that offenders view hitchhiking victims as opportunities for confinement without physical restraint, often engaging in sexual acts and theft.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSexual child homicide is a very high impact event. We report an instance where an 11-year-old boy was noticed by his grandmother hanging from the silver wired drying line which they are using for hanging the clothes in the house. Examination of the crime scene, autopsy findings, toxicological and DNA analysis confirmed the manner of death as sexual child homicide in a chronically abused child.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Psychiatry Rep
December 2024
Atrium Health/Wake Forest School of Medicine, Wake Forest University-Charlotte Region, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Purpose Of Review: This review aims to provide an updated overview of trends in firearm- related deaths, the mental health impact on communities, and clinical and legislative interventions. We examine existing interventions and highlight lesser-known yet impactful strategies, such as incorporating appropriate training in medical education on firearm safety. Additionally, we explore the broader impacts of firearm violence on community mental health and address the disputed topic of whether mental illness is a driving factor behind mass shootings.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBehav Sci Law
December 2024
Department of Social Policy, Sociology, and Criminology, School of Social Policy and Society, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Research on sexual homicides has primarily focused on male offenders, and thus little is known about female offenders who perpetrated sexual homicides. This study aimed to develop the first statistical classification of female single-victim (SV) sexual homicide offenders (SHOs) using the U.S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!