Articles tagged with Homicide
Researchers analyzed the criminal careers of over 9,800 Italian mafia members and found that prior violent co-offending significantly increases the likelihood of future violent offenses. The study suggests that group-based violent actions have a stronger impact on future violence than solo violence.
A recent study by Chung-Ang University reveals that lack of success in previous intervention attempts and negative emotions are significant barriers hindering bystander interventions. The research highlights the need for targeted education programs to address these barriers, particularly among university students and those experiencing...
Research compares US, Australian, and UK gun violence rates to mental illness rates, finding higher US rates without comparable differences in mental illness prevalence. Gun ownership and access to firearms are suggested as plausible but unproven explanations for the disparity.
In a study of almost 20,000 post-mortem investigations, researchers found that 7 in 8 homicide victims in South Africa were male. Homicide rates peak on weekends and holidays, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address this epidemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic and drug overdose epidemic significantly contributed to the widening gender gap in US life expectancy. Chronic metabolic disease and mental illness are also thought to play a role in the growing disparity.
The study found that homicide rates among health professionals are lower than the general population, with most related to domestic violence or societal trends like gun violence. The research highlights the need for prevention strategies beyond healthcare settings to address societal roots of violence.
A new study by researchers at the Complexity Science Hub found that Mexican cartels have between 160,000 and 185,000 members, making them the fifth largest employer in the country. Disrupting cartel recruitment is the only way to lower violence in Mexico, according to the research.
The economic burden of youth violence in the US has reached $122 billion, driven primarily by medical care, lost productivity, and avoidable mortality from male firearm homicides. Prevention strategies can help mitigate this substantial economic burden.
A new Rutgers study found that an increase in concealed carry licenses issued leads to a greater number of homicides in the following year. The study analyzed data from 11 states over 9 years, finding no evidence that homicides are reduced where there are more concealed carry licenses.
The US firearm crisis is preventable with practical public health solutions. Harm reduction and community engagement programs can reduce the impact on individuals, families, and communities. Legislative policies also hold promise, particularly safe storage laws, which correlate with reduced injury and death rates.
A new study by researchers at SUNY Albany found that the NY bail reform law had no significant impact on increases in murder, larceny, and motor vehicle theft rates. The study controlled for the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on crime rates, concluding that the law did not contribute to a rise in crimes.
A recent study found that the police murder of George Floyd led to a three-week spike in firearm assaults on U.S. police officers, but this trend quickly subsided. The researchers caution against using the term 'war on cops' and instead suggest focusing on evidence-based solutions to reduce violence.
Researchers found that rural counties bear a greater burden of firearm deaths, with higher rates of gun suicides and lower rates of gun homicides compared to urban counties. The divide in total intentional firearm deaths between urban and rural counties is increasing over time.
The pediatric death rate in the US sharply rose between 2019 and 2021, offsetting years of progress in medicine and public health. The alarming spike is primarily due to deaths from homicide, accidental drug overdoses, motor vehicle accidents, and suicide among those ages 10-19.
Researchers found increased rates of pregnancy-associated deaths in the US from 2018 to 2020, with no significant decline. The pandemic contributed to these changes, with rates rising due to various causes including drugs, homicide, and suicide.
A study by Brown University researchers found that young men in US zip codes with high firearm violence faced significantly higher risks of firearm-related deaths and injuries compared to military personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. The risk was particularly borne by minority racial and ethnic groups.
A study of 38,000 child homicides from 1999 to 2020 found declining rates in some groups, but recent increases across several subpopulations. The researchers emphasize the need for targeted strategies to address firearm violence and racial disparities.
A new analysis of firearm death rates in the US reveals that Black men are disproportionately affected by homicide, while white men are more likely to die by suicide. The study, which analyzed data from 1981 to 2020, also shows that minority populations bear a disproportionate burden of years lost due to premature death.
A pooled analysis of firearm-related deaths from 2000 to 2019 found that permit requirements and prohibition of violent misdemeanor possession had decreased total firearm-related deaths and homicide rates. Synergic legislative action to implement firearm laws in proximate states may help prevent firearm-related deaths.
A Columbia University study found that most mass murderers in academic settings lacked severe mental illness, with firearms being the primary method used. The researchers suggest that cultural and social factors, such as gun violence romanticization, are key drivers of these events.
The majority of pregnancy-associated homicides are linked to intimate partner violence and firearms, and are entirely preventable. Ending male violence, including gun violence, could save hundreds of lives in the US every year.
A Rutgers study reveals that the US has a higher rate of fatal police shootings (3.1 per million) compared to similarly developed countries like France and Australia. The study suggests that police training duration and content play a significant role in determining lethal policing outcomes.
Three pre-Columbian South American mummies found evidence of lethal trauma, with two males dying from extreme intentional violence. The study used 3D CT scans to examine the mummies and provide new insights into the rate of trauma and violent deaths in prehistoric human societies.
Research in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals a significant association between paid sick leave requirements and reduced mortality among US adult workers. The study found that state preemption laws hindering local mandates contribute to increased workforce mortality.
A study published in American Journal of Medicine Open found that gun death rates among US children increased by 30% from 2010 to 2019. States with stronger gun control laws, such as New York and California, saw a decrease in youth firearm mortality rates, suggesting that policies can impact the epidemic of youth suicides.
Firearm homicide rates have reversed improving trends of racial disparities since 2014. States like Missouri, Alaska, New Mexico, Kentucky and Alabama experienced the largest relative increases in firearm homicides.
A study by Ohio State University found that neighborhoods with high levels of trust and more dogs had lower rates of homicide, robbery, and aggravated assaults compared to areas with fewer dogs. The presence of dog walkers serves as a form of neighborhood surveillance, discouraging crime and deterring potential threats.
Feminicide, a worldwide problem resulting in 87,000 intentional killings of women in 2017, has incomplete data due to undercounting and narrow legislation. Researchers using counterdata aim to enact alternative epistemological approaches centering care, memory, and justice.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd's murder on crime rates in 28 US cities. The study found that homicides and auto thefts increased, while robberies and larcenies declined. The authors suggest that social unrest, economic conditions, and changed police behavior may b...
A study published in the International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice found that mass shootings in the US account for 73% of all incidents in developed countries, resulting in 816 deaths. The research identified distinct characteristics of US mass shootings, including ideological motives and relationship problems.
A recent study found significant racial and ethnic disparities in excess deaths from external causes, including homicide, suicide, and transportation accidents. The study estimated these disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address health inequities.
Firearm-related deaths have surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death among children under 19, with a widening racial gap. Secure gun storage counseling and hospital-based violence intervention programs show promise for prevention and reduction of all three categories of gun violence.
A UK crime gang study found that OCG members who previously offended together are more likely to become victims of violence, with a 56-fold increase in risk. The study also revealed cycles of escalating violence within the criminal milieu, with harassment increasing the potential for violence by 243 times.
A California study found that adults living with handgun owners had twice the homicide rates compared to those without, with most victims being women. Survivors of nonfatal gunshot injuries also experienced significant healthcare costs and worsening mental health.
A new study found that defense testimony about defendants' adverse childhood experiences can elicit leniency in jurors' sentencing decisions in capital trials. The study suggests that investigating and presenting ACE evidence is critical in eliciting leniency, with sympathy being a key factor in jurors' decisions.
Researchers found that 6.7% of jail detainees threatened SSH in the past three months, and 4.5% attempted SSH in the past year. The study suggests that jails should develop an empirically driven suicidal risk assessment to improve institutional safety and prevent suicide.
A new study found that neighborhood-level gun violence dynamics in Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic were linked to changes in drug market and police activity. Average shooting rates increased after the pandemic began, but this increase occurred at different rates for different neighborhoods.
Firearm deaths have overtaken car crashes as the leading cause of premature US trauma deaths, with firearm suicides highest in older white men and firearm homicides highest in young black men. Firearm-related deaths increased steadily over the past decade, accounting for 12.6 million years of potential life lost between 2009 and 2018.
A special issue of Criminology & Public Policy examines the effects of the George Floyd protests on the criminal justice system. Studies focus on policy changes, police institutional change, and public attitudes surrounding defunding the police.
This study evaluates the relationship between 'Stand Your Ground' laws and homicide rates in the US. The analysis found that states with more restrictive laws had lower rates of firearm homicides, highlighting a possible link between self-defense laws and gun violence.
During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, firearm injuries increased significantly in Massachusetts, with a disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic men. The study found that unemployed individuals from these groups were more likely to experience firearm injuries, highlighting the need for targeted violence prevention services.
A study of 16 US cities found a historic level of job losses associated with an increase in firearm violence and homicide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Low-income households were disproportionately affected, with low-wage workers losing jobs at five times the rate of middle-wage workers.
A Northwestern University study finds that a two-year pause in state funding contributed to the 2016 surge in Chicago youth homicides. The research suggests that restoring funding could be key to reducing violence among young people.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed weaknesses in the criminal justice system, highlighting issues with family and domestic violence, gang activity, and police-community interactions. Scholars from the American Society of Criminology investigate these concerns in a special issue, exploring lessons learned and policy implications.
A team of psychological scientists and criminologists recommend testing eyewitness memory only once to prevent contaminated memories from convicting innocent people. The first identification is the most reliable test, which can avoid further contamination and ensure justice.
The University of Arkansas will receive a grant to analyze gun crime patterns in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with the goal of reducing frequency of violence. The researchers aim to understand where, when, and at what frequency gun crime occurs to inform evidence-driven practices.
A recent study found a significant increase in maternal deaths in the US, with drug and alcohol poisoning and homicides being major contributors. The mortality rate for all causes increased by 4.4% per year from 2015-2019.
A new study by a criminology professor reveals an uptick in homicides and threats of gun violence since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Victim advocates reported increased frequency of gun-related abuse, with nearly half stating threats became more frequent during this time.
A study by a researcher at American University found that Massachusetts gun-control legislation had no immediate impact on reducing four types of violent crime, including murder, aggravated assault, and robbery. The study suggests that lawmakers should revisit their legislation to ensure it is being implemented as intended.
A study analyzing 99 gay/trans panic defense cases found that most defendants were charged and convicted of murder, but the author highlights the need for further analysis and legal education to address discriminatory narratives and protect LGBTQI+ victims
A study examining Pennsylvania death penalty cases found that victim's gender and race affected every outcome. Cases with white female, male or black male victims were more likely to receive a death sentence than those with black female victims. The study also found that prosecutors were more likely to seek the death penalty in cases w...
A study of federal sentencing data found that Black and Hispanic offenders were more likely to be eligible for life sentences, but not more likely to receive them. The study analyzed data on over 366,000 non-immigration offenders from 2010 to 2017.
Researchers found that individuals have a threshold for opting out of offending, which varies across criminal situations. The study identified reverse bandwagon effects, where group presence both promotes and deters offending intentions.
A global analysis of crime rates found that stay-at-home policies led to a significant drop in police-recorded crime. Most types of crime fell, except for homicide, which saw a modest decline. The largest reductions were seen in cities with strict lockdowns and gang-related violence.
A Rutgers University study found that states with stricter firearms laws reported lower suicide and homicide rates. The study analyzed data from 1991 to 2017 and found a significant correlation between the total number of firearm laws in a state and its corresponding suicide and homicide rates.
Research by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that gun violence on popular prime-time TV dramas doubled from 2000 to 2018, with gun use substantially increasing and rising significantly as a proportion of the violence depicted in the shows. This trend parallels the rise in U.S. homicide deaths attributable to firearms.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center found that the proportion of gun violence in US TV dramas increased between 2000 and 2018, mirroring real-life gun homicide trends among youths. The study suggests a potential link between media gun violence and real-life gun use for violent purposes.
British citizens who vanish abroad are more likely to be found by UK police due to their longer duration of disappearance, with 134-day average. Non-UK authorities accounted for only 20% of all finds, highlighting the effectiveness of UK police in resolving cases.
The study found that serious mental illness was present in only 11% of all mass murderers and 8% of mass shooters. Non-firearm means resulted in significantly more casualties per event. The researchers also found that U.S.-based mass shooters were more likely to have legal histories or use recreational drugs.
A new study by Professor Tim Thornton strengthens claims that King Richard III was involved in the murder of his nephews, known as 'the Princes in the Tower'. The research, published in History, suggests that credible sources confirm Richard III's guilt in the high-profile royal disappearance.