Homicidal Poisonings in the United States: An Analysis of the Uniform Crime Reports From 1980 Through 1989

• NCJ Number: 174220
• Journal: American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: December 1996 Pages: 282-288
• Author(s): A E Westveer; J H Trestrail H,; A J Pinizzotto
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Data from 292 homicides by poisoning were analyzed to determine demographics of homicidal poisoners that might aid forensic scientists and police personnel in their criminal investigations and serve as the foundation for a more formal investigative analysis of this kind of subtle killer.

Abstract

The data came from the Uniform Crime Reports from 1980-89. Each case involved one poisoned victim and one poisoning offender. The demographic factors analyzed for each victim and offender included age, gender, race, victim-offender relationship, the major category of poison, month, year, geographic location, and crime classification. This type of homicide constituted only 0.14 percent of all homicides during the period. The rate of unknown offenders was 20 to 30 times higher than the rate in other kinds of other homicides. Poisoning victims were almost equally divided between males and females. For cases involving known offenders, female victims were usually murdered by males, whereas male victims were murdered almost equally by males and females. Offenders were usually white; offenders were usually the same race as their victims. Victims ranged from under 1 year to more than 75 years of age. Offenders ranged from juveniles to more than 75; the largest percentage were ages 20 to 34, but the age was unknown in 29 percent of the homicides. Thirty-four percent of the victims were relatives of the offenders, 20 percent were acquaintances, 5 percent were friends, 4 percent were dating partners, 4 percent were strangers, 4 percent were others, and 27 percent were of unknown relationship. Forty-four States reported poisoning homicides. Findings suggested the need for increased awareness of crime scene details that may indicate poisoning and for closer study of individuals charged and convicted of poisoning. Tables, map, and 6 references (Author abstract modified)