Criminal Violence Riedel and Welsh Ch 4 Homicides

Criminal Violence Riedel and Welsh, Ch. 4 “Homicides and Assaults”

OUTLINE Homicides and Assaults in the U. S. n Patterns and Trends n Explanations n Interventions

Definitions n n n Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter (UCR): the “willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another. ” Aggravated Assault (NCVS): "attack or attempted attack with a weapon, regardless of whether an injury occurred or not, as well as an attack without a weapon when serious injury resulted". Simple Assault: does not involve a weapon; does not result in serious injury to the victim.

Homicide Patterns (UCR): 2008 VICTIMS Gender: 78% of victims were male Gender Race: 47. 8% of victims were black, 48. 2% white, 2. 3% Race “other. ” Victim/offender relationship: Victim/offender relationship n 12. 3% were murdered by strangers, n 17. 5% of victims were killed by intimate partners or other family members, n 26% slain by friends or acquaintances OFFENDERS Gender: 65% of offenders were males. Race: 36. 5% of offenders were black, 32. 8% white INCIDENTS Firearms : Firearms 66. 8% of the offenses involved firearms. Setting: 28. 9% of victims were murdered during brawls or arguments

• The homicide rate doubled from 4. 6 per 100, 000 U. S. residents in 1962 to 9. 7 per 100, 000 by 1979. • In 1980 the rate peaked at 10. 2 per 100, 000 and fell to 7. 9 per 100, 000 in 1984. • The rate rose again in the late 1980 s and early 1990 s to another peak in 1991 of 9. 8 per 100, 000. • The homicide rate declined sharply from 9. 3 homicides per 100, 000 in 1992 to 4. 8 homicides per 100, 000 in 2010.

NCVS Assault Rates, 1993 - 2013 Simple Assault Aggravated Assault rates have declined since 1993.

Patterns: Assault For aggravated assault, men are victimized at higher rates than women, and blacks are victimized at higher rates than whites. For simple assault, these differences nearly disappear.

Patterns: Assault Victims knew the offenders in 40% of violent crimes against men and 64% of violent crimes against women in 2010.

Explanations n Symbolic interaction theory n Both homicides & aggravated assaults tend to result from an escalation of interpersonal conflict [see Luckenbill]. n Both tend to have similar situational dynamics: Both tend to occur between people who know one another, especially during an argument or fight. n Violence is often goal-oriented behavior: "to compel or deter others, to achieve a favorable social identity, and to obtain justice, as defined by the actor. " n

Explanations (cont. ) n Subcultural theories: values and beliefs that sanction violence as problem-solving behavior within certain groups (e. g. , gangs).

Interventions Q: What explanations have been offered for declines in homicide and aggravated assaults since 1993? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Decline in high-risk age group (15 -24); Decline in handgun homicide; Drug markets stabilized; Increase in legitimate and decrease in illegitimate opportunities; Increased use of incarceration; Decline in partner homicides; Violence prevention programs (e. g. , mediation).

Serial Homicides and Mass Murders Serial homicide: multiple killings by the same person over a period of time, usually months or years n Mass murder: single event or several killings in a very brief period-- “spree killing. ” n

Mass Murders: Patterns A number of characteristics distinguish mass from serial homicides or murders.

Mass Murders Virginia Tech Shootings n https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=v. BG 7 z. HDc 8 -A Colorado Shootings n n http: //www. hulu. com/watch/383558 http: //www. cnn. com/2015/01/20/us/colorado-james-holmes-trial-moviemassacre/ Discussion: 1. What are some of the major causes (explanations) of mass murders such as these? Give specific examples from Ch. 4 and other course materials to support your answer.

Serial Homicides n n Prior to 1980 s, inflated estimates resulted Prior to 1980 s, from invalid practice of attributing all homicides with “unknown” circumstances to serial killings. FBI Estimates: about 127 serial homicide victims/year (< 1% of all homicides); about 10 offenders operating at any one time. Psychological appearance: “extraordinarily ordinary. ” Fox & Levin: serial killers kill for thrills, sexual satisfaction, or feelings of dominance and control-- more “cruel” than “crazy. ” Some are sociopaths, but show affection toward family members & friends.

Serial Homicides: Patterns n n n Victims: often vulnerable (e. g. , elderly, transients, prostitutes, runaways, hospital patients) people who may not be quickly missed. Offenders: Hickey identified 337 males (83%) and 67 female serial killers (17%) responsible for 2, 526 homicides between 1800 -1995. n Whites: 80% of all serial killers. n Majority tend to operate in one city or even one neighborhood. Trends: may have increased over time. n 35% of the killers in sample were identified between 1950 -1974; n 45% of the killers in the sample were identified between 1975 -1995.

Explanations Little research supports any one cause consistently. n Biological: XYY, neurotransmitters, hormonal imbalances. n Psychological: psychosis, dissociative disorders, personality disorders, psychopathy. n Sociological: anonymity and normlessness (anomie), child abuse, labeling, lack of social bonds. n But: huge number of “false positives” (i. e. , many normal people have one or more of these characteristics and are not killers, or even violent, or even criminals). Interventions n Law enforcement approaches: interagency communication, geographic analysis (e. g. , DC Snipers), DNA analysis, and profiling (look for patterns in incidents, victims, places).

Possible Explanations: Examples P = Person (e. g. , biological factors) n n Genes: (e. g. , low MAOA; XYY) Brain functioning (e. g. , low prefrontal activity, heightened limbic activity) E = Environment (e. g. , developmental experiences) n Example: History of abuse, neglect, bullying C = Culture (e. g. , values and norms) n Values about what is appropriate behavior (or not) P X E X C = Interactions between these factors n Example: MAOA gene doesn’t increase aggression unless combined with history of abuse