NCJ Number
158576
Journal
Psychology, Crime and Law Volume: 1 Dated: (1995) Pages: 333-342
Date Published
1995
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This empirical study examines and establishes a profile of youth (under 17 years old) who have committed a homicidal act in England and Wales.
Abstract
The data used for the study consisted of Home Office statistics on youth under 17 years old from 1982-1992 in England and Wales who had committed some form of homicide, for example, murder and manslaughter, which includes infanticide. Twenty cases were more closely reviewed to identify important characteristics from this same population for the years 1989-92. Data show the typical offender to be white (65 percent), male (75 percent), of average intelligence (75 percent scored between 90 and 110 on the intelligence test), and committed a homicidal act when he was 14.6 years old. The victim was usually known to the offender, and he committed the act by using a sharp instrument 30 percent of the time, picking up a nearby blunt object 20 percent of the time, and driving a stolen automobile out of control 20 percent of the time. The behavior manifested in these homicides correlates with cultural male socialization practices and the development of an antisocial personality. Notably, exposure to a dysfunctional family environment initiates the early onset of aggressive behavior. Policy implications suggest promoting initiatives to support family stability, improving parenting skills, and using violence-reduction schemes. 4 figures and 29 references