Child homicide: generating victim and suspect risk profiles

Abstract

Purpose -In England and Wales, on average one child every week is a victim of homicide. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether different victim risk profiles and suspect variables can be differentiated for specific victim ages.Design/methodology/approach -This paper presents a preliminary analysis of more than 1000 child homicides committed in England and Wales between 1996 and 2013, from data provided through the Homicide Index. Statistical techniques such as cluster analysis were used to identify specific victim risk profiles and to analyse suspect variables according to the age of victim. Findings -The findings present a clearer picture of the risk-age relationship in child homicide, whereby several specific risk profiles are identified for specific child ages, comprised of crime variables including; likely victim and suspect demographics, the most likely circumstances of the homicide and methods of killing. Using similar techniques, a number of tentative clusters of suspects implicated in child homicide are also described and analysed, with suggestions of further analysis that might prove of value.Originality and value -Although the statistical level of risk has been linked with the age of a child (with younger children being most vulnerable to killing by a parent or step-parent and older children most vulnerable to killing by acquaintances and strangers), extant research is yet to progress beyond the identification of broad age-risk categories. The paper concludes with a discussion of the likely implications for those charged with reducing and investigating child homicide and outlines the possibility of future research.

Intra- and extra-familial child homicide in Sweden 1992–2012: A population-based study

“…Research has shown that homicidal biological parents are inclined to use methods that hasten death (for example, smothering or gun-shot trauma), whereas homicidal stepparents more often are motivated by anger and resentment and thus often resort to beating or bludgeoning (Daly & Wilson, 1994;Weekes-Shackelford & Shackelford, 2004). Finally, it can be noted that the predominance of filicide victims in the younger age groups is well in line with results from studies conducted in other countries and other periods (Jason, 1983;Putkonen, Amon, et al, 2009;Roach & Bryant, 2015).…”

Injury‐Related Healthcare Use and Risk of Filicide Victimization: A Population‐Based Case–Control Study

“…Research has shown that filicidal biological parents are inclined to use methods that hasten death (e.g., smothering or gunshot trauma), whereas filicidal stepparents more often are motivated by anger and resentment and thus often resort to beating or bludgeoning . Finally, it can be noted that the predominance of filicide victims in the younger age‐groups is well in line with results from studies conducted in other countries and other periods .…”

“…Most previous studies on risk factors for child homicide have focused on offender characteristics, for example, the presence of mental disorder or substance use . Consequently, there is a paucity of research on risk factors directly associated with the victim, although novel cluster analysis‐based efforts have been proposed to advance knowledge regarding victim risk profiles . Nonetheless, a Swedish study has found multiple birth to be an independent risk factor for filicide , though the finding should be interpreted cautiously in view of the small number of cases included.…”

Comparing Child Homicide: An Examination of Characteristics by Degrees of Intimacy

“…Routine activities theory suggests that three elements are present when victimisation takes place: motivated offenders, suitable targets and an absence of guardianship to protect the victim (Cohen and Felson, 1979). Together, these theories suggest that young children face a greater risk of violence from intrafamilial perpetrators, and that when children begin to spend time outside the home and attend school, they face a higher risk from extrafamilial perpetrators (Boudreaux et al, 2001; Roach and Bryant, 2015).…”