Assaults in the Elderly-A Population-Based Study With Victim and Perpetrator Characteristics

• NCJ Number: 234652
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2011 Pages: 669-673
• Author(s): Teresa Biermann, M.D.; Olga Dippel, M.D.; Matthias Bergner, M.D.; Jochen Keller; Claire Coffey, M.Sc.; Wolfgang Sperling, M.Sc.; Stefen Bleich, M.D.; Johannes Kornhuber, M.D.; Udo Reulbach, M.D., M.Sc.
• Date Published: May 2011
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The aim of the present epidemiological study was to investigate characteristics of assaults in the elderly aged 65 years and above from the perspective of the victim and perpetrator.

Abstract

This population-based study included 23,142 assaults (according to §§ 224/226 StGB of German criminal law) that were recorded in Bavaria, Germany, from 1999 to 2005. The population-based ratio of serious crimes of battery for the elderly in comparison with the reference population was markedly lower (0.10; 95 percent CI: 0.09-0.11) in suspects aged more than 65 years and 0.08 (95 percent CI: 0.07-0.09) for the injured above 65 years. Elderly perpetrators differed significantly concerning the manner of the assault (p less than 0.001). They committed less crimes in urban areas (56.1 percent vs. 68.8 percent) and were victimized significantly more in rural areas (p less than 0.001; 41.2 percent vs. 30.2 percent). Violence in the elderly differs from that of the younger population. Further research is warranted to establish prevention measures. (Published Abstract)