NCJ Number
194329
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: Winter 2002 Pages: 23-40
Date Published
2002
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the potential patterns and factors involved with gang and drug related homicide, specifically gang and drug, gang and non-drug, drug and non-gang, and other homicide types.
Abstract
Building upon previous research, this study explored characteristics associated with four homicide types in order to draw comparisons and differentiate gang related homicide from drug related homicide. It also explored homicide typologies within the context of information provided in victim autopsy reports and incident files to determine whether victim characteristics were indicative of homicide typologies. The study utilized data from 372 homicides in the Saint Louis area to investigate whether differences existed in victim and perpetrator characteristics. Results indicated distinct patterns associated between groups. Results suggested that attributes of both the perpetrator and victim could serve to differentiate crime category groups. It was found that while gang members appeared to be younger than either drug-non-gang or other categories, differences were not significant among groups for age. Gang-drug related homicides differed across categories in weapon type, caliber, and statements made by the offender prior to the murder. Gang-drug offenders were more likely to possess a prior criminal record than those of the other categories, as well as a strong drug use pattern among those offenders in gang-drug related homicides. The victim’s age varied significantly according to homicide type. Victims of gang-drug murders were the youngest, followed by victims of gang-non-drug, drug-non-gang, and other groups. Victims were also more likely to be fatally wounded in a group setting when the offender was a gang member. Lastly, temporal and demographic factors also highlighted significant results such as gang-drug related murders were more likely to have occurred in the winter as opposed to the other categories. This study added to the existing data on gang and drug related murders specifically regarding the homicide victim. Evidence showed that gangs shared many characteristics with their gang-drug counterparts. Victim and perpetrator characteristics and behaviors have an impact on the type of homicide committed. References