Characteristics of adolescents charged with homicide: Review of 72 cases

Abstract

The present study examined a comparatively large sample of 72 adolescents charged with murder who were referred for pretrial evaluation in the State of Michigan over a 9-year period. Subjects are compared with a control group of 35 adolescents charged with nonvwlent larceny offenses. Information regarding the adolescents' demographic and social bQckground, and the circumstances of the offense, are presented. Recognition of the diverse motives and circumstances of adolescent homicide may help to explain discrepant churacterizaabns of them presented in the literature.

Psychopathy and behavioral correlates of victim injury in serious juvenile offenders

“…As importantly, the current results suggested that an 'escalation' model [see Cornell et al, 1987b] may be helpful in understanding how adolescent's violence increases over time. A chapter by Loeber et al [2005a] described an ''overt trajectory,'' which posited that violent behavior increased over time starting with minor aggression and ending in severe violence.…”

“…Some had extensive histories of juvenile delinquent behavior and the homicide represented the culmination of many delinquent acts'' (p 19). Cornell et al [1987b] idea of an ''escalation hypothesis'' where the early engagement in criminal behavior leads to more significant antisocial behavior is highly consistent with the life-course persistent (LCP) typology [Moffitt, 1993; see also Moffitt, 2003]. Individuals with LCP have a poorer prognosis and their behavior tends to be related to neurological impairment.…”

“…The results revealed that adolescents charged with homicide began offending at an earlier age and had fewer contacts with mental health and justice systems compared to the nonviolent group. Regarding the characteristics of homicide offenders, Cornell et al [1987b] posited, ''Many of the adolescents who committed homicide did so for reasons unrelated to any ongoing or emerging mental illness. Some had extensive histories of juvenile delinquent behavior and the homicide represented the culmination of many delinquent acts'' (p 19).…”

“…Results revealed that over time, males with four or more risk factors were over 14 times more likely to commit a homicide and six times more likely to commit a violent act compared to males with less than four risk factors. Cornell et al [1987b] compared 72 adolescents charged with homicide with 35 adolescent charged with nonviolent larceny. The results revealed that adolescents charged with homicide began offending at an earlier age and had fewer contacts with mental health and justice systems compared to the nonviolent group.…”

School Shootings in Deutschland

“…Tötungsdelinquenten beispielsweise im Allgemeinen einen unauffälligen Kontakt zu Gleichaltrigen (Hinrichs et al, 1997) und sind signifikant seltener psychiatrisch behandelt worden und unauffälliger als eine gleichaltrige Kontrollgruppe (Cornell, Benedek & Benedek, 1987; s. auch Dolan & Smith, 2001 (Beckmann & Gollwitzer, 1987;Reilmann, 1989). Personen mit negativem Selbstbild neigen dabei zu illusorisch positiver Selbsteinschätzung in der Abwägungsphase, nicht aber der Planungsphase, während dies bei Personen mit positiver Selbstsicht umgekehrt der Fall ist (Bayer & Gollwitzer, 2005 …”