Juvenile homosexual homicide

Limited information exists on juvenile homosexual homicide (JHH), that is, youths who perpetrate sexual homicides against same-sex victims. Only a handful of cases from the United States and internationally have been described in the literature. This study, the first of its kind, examines the epidemiology, victimology, victim-offender relationship, and weapon-use patterns in JHH offenders using a large U.S. database on homicide spanning three decades. The data for this study were derived from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHRs) for the years 1976 through 2005. A total of 93 cases of JHH were identified. On average, three of these crimes occurred annually in the U.S., and there was a marked decline in its incidence over the study period. Ninety-five percent were male offender-male victim cases and 5% were female offender-female victim cases. JHH offenders were over-represented amongst all juvenile sexual murderers, similar to their adult counterparts. The majority of these boys were aged 16 or 17 and killed adult victims. They were significantly more likely to kill adult victims than other age groups, to be friends or acquaintances of the victims, and to use contact/edged weapons or firearms. Most offenders killed same-race victims, although Black offenders were significantly more likely than White offenders to kill interracially. A case report is provided to illustrate JHH. Further research is needed to promote our understanding of the pathogenesis, etiology, and associated risk factors for this aberrant form of murder by children.     

Juvenile homicide: The need for an interdisciplinary approach

Most of the empirical literature on juvenile homicide has emerged from the clinical experience of mental health professionals who have diagnosed and/or treated youngsters who killed. After a critical review of this literature, data on 787 juvenile homicide offenders are presented and discussed. These data indicate that intrafamilial killings represent but a small fraction of all homicides perpetrated by juveniles and that there are clear differences between intrafamilial and extrafamilial juvenile homicides.     

Correlates of age-adjusted national homicide rates

In 1980, the correlates of unadjusted and age-adjusted national homicide rates differed, so the age-structure of nations should be controlled for in cross-national studies.     

Juvenile homicide offenders: A 35‐year‐follow‐up study

Murders committed by juveniles have been a major concern in the USA for more than 40 years. Due to decisions in the 21st century by the United States Supreme Court, the likelihood of juvenile homicide offenders being sentenced to life without parole (LWOP) is less than in past decades. In addition, hundreds of individuals in prison who were sentenced to LWOP under mandatory sentencing statutes or their equivalent as juveniles for murder are now eligible for resentencing and may be released. Given these changes in sentencing policies and practices, follow‐up research on juveniles involved in murder is needed. This study is a 35‐year follow‐up study of 59 boys who were convicted of murder and sentenced to adult prisons in a southeastern state, and initially interviewed in the early 1980s. Twenty‐two of these men agreed to participate in clinical interviews about their experiences in prison and upon return to the community if released. The experiences in prison are highlighted for all men. Thereafter, attention focuses on the 19 juvenile homicide offenders who have been released. Of these 19 men, 11 were classified as failures given that they were sent back to prison at least once. Length of time served and completion of GED were the best predictors of post‐release success. Clinical observations, implications of the findings, limitations of the study, and directions for future research are discussed.     

Rates of homicide and suicide on major national holidays

Rates of U.S. homicides and suicides during 1972-1979 were higher on 7 major national holidays except one for homicides and were lower for suicides, except New Year's Day as Lester noted for 1972-1979.     

A national survey of older smokers: treatment needs of a growing population

Examined smoking and quitting patterns among 289 smokers ages 50 to 74 years who took part in a nationwide survey of American Association of Retired Persons members. Respondents were predominantly chronic, heavy smokers. They had smoked for an average of 45 years, more than one third smoked 25 or more cigarettes per day, and more than two thirds showed evidence of high nicotine addiction. Nonetheless, most were interested in quitting smoking and reported plans to quit in the next year. Concerns about missing or craving cigarettes; losing a pleasure; and being nervous, tense, or irritable after quitting were the most common barriers to quitting reported. These problems were rated as more serious by heavier, longer term smokers and by smokers with lower quitting self-efficacy. The variables most strongly associated with "contemplating" quitting were beliefs in quitting health benefits, recent attempts to quit or cut down, prior attempts to quit, and high self-efficacy. Limitations of these findings are discussed along with implications for the design of treatments geared to the special needs of older smokers.     

Counseling Juvenile Offenders: A Program Evaluation

This article reviews the results of the effectiveness of counseling services provided by the Juvenile Counseling and Assessment Program (JCAP) of the Juvenile Court of Clarke County, Georgia. Individual and group counseling services were provided for 55 male and female adjudicated delinquent youths, ages 9 to 17, over a period of 4 to 6 months. The recidivism rates of the youths who had received counseling services were compared to the recidivism rates of a control group that had not received counseling services.     

A general strain theory of intimate partner homicide

Men and women who kill an intimate partner experience qualitatively different situations and emotions in the months and weeks preceding the homicide event. Theoretical explanations of intimate partner homicide are either gender-specific or gender-neutral, and, as such, fail to take these gender differences into account. This article extends current theory by presenting a general strain theory of intimate partner homicide. General strain theory suggests that men and women who kill an intimate partner experience different types of strain and emotions, and that homicide occurs in response to these experiences. This application not only affords gender-sensitivity, but also incorporates negative emotions (often neglected by other theory-building), explains coping mechanisms, and combines proximal and distal etiological factors.     

Explanations of mixed-sex partnered homicide: A review of sociological and psychological theory

Offending by mixed-sex partnered offenders (i.e., at least one man and one woman), no less than offending solely by men, requires explanation. This article begins with an overview of homicide committed by mixed-sex partnered offenders, followed by a brief discussion of sociological theories and then focuses primarily on psychological theories (including transient criminality and stimulation-seeking behavior, hybristophilia and opponent process, folie à deux, obedience and authority) in order to address gaps in our understanding of mixed-sex partnered homicide offending. These theories may help us better comprehend the dynamics between mixed-sex partnered homicide offenders at a sociological and psychological level.     

Elderly homicide in Chicago: a research note

There is a body of knowledge about elderly crime victims, but we know little about the characteristics of elderly perpetrators, especially of homicide. The few studies that have been published are based on small samples and are somewhat dated. In an examination of homicides committed in Chicago over a 31-year period, we compared cases involving perpetrators aged over 60 years (n = 443) with those involving younger perpetrators (n = 24,066). There were a number of significant differences. Elderly killers were more likely to be White and to commit suicide afterwards. Their victims were more likely to be spouses, females, and aged over 60 years. Inter-racial homicide was more common for younger offenders. The low number of homicides involving the elderly is explained by reference to routine activity theory.     

Sexual homicide: Differentiating catathymic and compulsive murders

Difficulties encountered in the study of sexual homicide are reviewed along with a discussion of two types of sexual murder—catathymic and compulsive. Historical, behavioral, psychodynamic, and prognostic factors are presented, as well as a discussion of differential diagnosis. Forensic issues and implications for intervention, prevention, and investigation are also considered.     

Serial homicide: an investigation of behavioural consistency

To examine if serial homicide offenders are consistent across their crimes, a model was developed empirically that could be used to distinguish between crimes that were instrumental and those that were expressive. The first known three offences in each series of 69 US serial homicides committed by 23 offenders, were examined and the instrumental and expressive themes determined. Three models were then explored that test for consistency across these themes. The most liberal model was found to classify all of the offences effectively and to reveal complete consistency across the three crimes for all offenders. The implications of these results for offender profiling and further study of serial homicide are discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Juvenile Counseling and Assessment Model and Program: A Conceptualization and Intervention for Juvenile Delinquency

This article presents a model of conceptualization and intervention for juvenile delinquency. The model includes the characteristics of the adolescent, the ecological context in which the adolescent lives, and the interaction among these variables. Intervention addressing these variables is presented. A specific integrated service, training, and research project that is based on the model is described. The Juvenile Counseling and Assessment Program is a collaborative approach, joining university counseling faculty, educators, graduate students, and juvenile court system personnel in the mutual goals of reducing delinquency and increasing adaptive skills.     

Recidivism among four types of homicide offenders: An exploratory analysis of 336 homicide offenders in New Jersey

Despite a great deal of information on various types of offenders, there is only limited longitudinal research on the offending patterns, typologies, and recidivism of different types of homicide perpetrators. A random sample of 336 homicide offenders who were released between the years 1990 and 2000 from the New Jersey Department of Corrections were identified and followed for a minimum of 5 years. These offenders were tracked to determine if incarcerated homicide offenders who had no criminal histories prior to their homicide conviction recidivated less, and which specific variables correlated with recidivism. As a result of our analysis, we conceptualized a new four-fold typology of homicide offenders: 1) homicide that was precipitated by a general altercation or argument, 2) homicide during the commission of a felony, 3) domestic violence-related homicide, and 4) a homicide after an accident. In conclusion, none of the 336 homicide offenders committed another murder. However, we found the highest recidivism for new violent or drug crimes occurred in the felony homicide group (slightly over one-third), followed by the altercation precipitated homicide offenders (27%), which was in sharp contrast to the domestic violence homicide offenders with less than 10% recidivism due to a new violent or drug offense.     

Lethal combinations: A conjunctive analysis of crime scene behavior associated with sexual homicide

This research investigates violent stranger rapes and the factors leading these cases to sexual homicides. Variables relating to modus operandi characteristics on one part and offender behavior on the other part are examined using conjunctive analysis of cases configuration to identify the different combinations leading to a lethal outcome. Using a French sample of 1263 cases of violent rapes and 303 cases of sexual homicides involving female adult victims, we find that blows given by offenders and information about physical resistance of victims are strongly associated intentional and non‐intentional sexual homicides. Psychoactive substance consumption by offenders as well associal isolation are in a lesser extend also associated with the lethal outcome.     

The Moral Judgment of Juvenile Delinquents: A Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis of 50 studies was conducted to investigate whether juvenile delinquents use lower levels of moral judgment than their nondelinquent age-mates and, if so, what factors may influence or moderate the developmental delay. The results show a lower stage of moral judgment for juvenile delinquents (d=.76). Effect sizes were large for comparisons involving male offenders, late adolescents, delinquents with low intelligence, and incarcerated delinquents. The largest effect sizes were found for period of incarceration and comparisons involving juvenile delinquents with psychopathic disorder. Production instead of recognition measures, dilemma-free assessment methods, and non-blind scoring procedures yielded relatively large effect sizes, whereas effect sizes were medium for comparisons involving delinquents with average intelligence, non-incarcerated delinquents, female offenders, as well as early and middle adolescents. Psychopathic disorder and institutionalization were identified as unique moderators of the link between moral judgment and juvenile delinquency. It is concluded that developmentally delayed moral judgment is strongly associated with juvenile delinquency, even after controlling for socioeconomic status, gender, age and intelligence.This article stems from a paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Moral Education, July 2006, Fribourg, Switzerland.     

Violent death among intimate partners: a comparison of homicide and homicide followed by suicide in California.

This study examines all intimate partner homicides in California during 1996 (N=186), and differences between intimate partner homicides with and without perpetrator suicide are compared. The study found that 40 percent of perpetrators committed suicide subsequent to the homicide. Variables examined in the analysis include type of weapon used, race, age, sex of perpetrators and victims, and location of the homicide. Significant differences were found between homicides with perpetrator suicide and those without. The results lend support to previous research suggesting that intimate partner homicide and homicide followed by suicide have different characteristics and possibly distinct etiologies.     

Intimate homicide: An analysis of violent social relationships

Homicide which occurs in intimate social relationships was studied using data from three Western Canadian cities. Variables which may be related to the relationship and homicide are also examined. Unstable relationships are clearly differentiated from other relationships and are more likely to result in homicide. Implications for future research are discussed.