A meta-analysis of alcohol toxicology study findings among homicide victims

Kuhns, Joseph B.; Wilson, David B.; Clodfelter, Tammatha A.; Maguire, Edward R.; Ainsworth, Stephanie

doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03153.x

Cited by 58 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Despite these limitations, the meta-analytic estimates for homicide offenders are remarkably similar to the meta-analysis results of alcohol use among homicide victims (48% of victims tested positive and 33-35% met the threshold for intoxication; Kuhns et al, 2011). Considered collectively, and recognizing that the samples of offenders and victims were not selected from the same locations, during the same timeframes, or within the same criminal events, these two sets of meta-analytic findings suggest that a substantial proportion of homicides will likely include alcohol as a contributing factor to either the offender's proclivity or the victim's vulnerability.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

“…A recent meta-analysis of homicide victims suggested that approximately 48% are positive for alcohol and about a third are intoxicated at the time of death (Kuhns, Wilson, Clodfelter, Maguire, & Ainsworth, 2011). Some scholars contend that the intoxication rates for homicide victims may mirror those of the offenders (Darke, 2010), thereby suggesting that the mechanisms linking alcohol to violence may be similar for both parties.…”

Section: Alcohol Aggression and Homicidementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our analytic approach mirrored that of Kuhns et al (2011). In all meta-analytic calculations we adopted the inverse variance weight method to compensate for the different sample sizes across studies.…”

Section: Statistical Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Prevalence of Alcohol-Involved Homicide Offending

et al. 2013

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This study meta-analyzes 23 independent studies that included information from 28,265 homicide offenders across nine countries. On average, 48% of homicide offenders were reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offense and 37% were intoxicated. We found no demographic variations across age, gender, or race, although the proportion testing positive within the United States appears to be decreasing over time. Further, the proportion of offenders who were under the influence of alcohol was lower among those who committed the homicide with a firearm. Communities that have high homicide rates should work to reduce alcohol consumption rates.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Section: Alcohol Aggression and Homicidementioning

confidence: 99%

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The Prevalence of Alcohol-Involved Homicide Offending

et al. 2013

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“…Specifically, rates of suicide and homicide are associated with per capita alcohol consumption (Cerda et al, 2010; Landsberg et al, 2008; Lester, 1995). In toxicology studies, alcohol is present in one-third to one-half of suicide and homicide victims (Darke, 2010; Karch et al, 2009; Kuhns et al, 2011). Psychological autopsy studies have reported that as many as 56% of people who committed suicide had alcohol use disorders (Conwell et al, 1996; Foster et al, 1997; Kung et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Legacy of Minimum Legal Drinking Age Law Changes: Long‐Term Effects on Suicide and Homicide Deaths Among Women

Grucza

Hipp²,

Norberg³

et al. 2011

Alcoholism Clin & Exp Res

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Background Prior to the establishment of the uniform drinking age of 21 in the United States, many states permitted legal purchase of alcohol at younger ages. Lower drinking ages were associated with several adverse outcomes, including elevated rates of suicide and homicide among youth. The objective of this study is to examine whether individuals who were legally permitted to drink prior to age 21 remained at elevated risk in adulthood. Methods Analysis of data from the U.S. Multiple Cause of Death files, 1990–2004, combined with data on the living population from the U.S. Census and American Community Survey. The assembled data contained records on over 200,000 suicides and 130,000 homicides for individuals born between 1949 and 1972, the years during which the drinking age was in flux. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate whether adults who were legally permitted to drink prior to age 21 were at elevated risk for death by these causes. A quasi-experimental analytical approach was employed which incorporated state and birth year fixed effects to account for unobserved covariates associated with policy exposure. Results In the population as a whole, we found no association between minimum drinking age and homicide or suicide. However, significant policy-by-sex interactions were observed for both outcomes, such that women exposed to permissive drinking age laws were at higher risk for both suicide (OR=1.12; 95% CI 1.05, 1.18, p=0.0003) and homicide (OR=1.15; 95% CI 1.04, 1.25; p=0.0028). Effect sizes were stronger for the portion of the cohort born after 1960, whereas no significant effects were observed for women born prior to 1960. Conclusions Lower drinking ages may result in persistent elevated risk for suicide and homicide among women born after 1960. The national drinking age of 21 may be preventing about 600 suicides and 600 homicides annually.

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“…Nearly 50% of homicide victims and up to two thirds of offenders consumed alcohol before the criminal event. [8][9][10][11] Both male-to-female and female-to-male intimate partner violence has been associated with alcohol consumption. 12 Prior studies suggest that the pharmacological effects of alcohol, including disinhibition, increased emotional lability, and reduced cognitive functioning, result in the drug's strong association with violence at the individual level.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%