Homicides and Weapons: Examining the Covariates of Weapon Choice

Abstract

This study examines the covariates of weapon choice in homicide incidents. Two research questions are examined. The first research question is: what variables influence the use of a particular type of weapon in a homicide? The second research question asks: how does the method of weapon retrieval, or lack thereof, affect the choice of weapon? The findings suggest that firearms are more likely to be on the offender’s person and carried to the incident scene relative to other weapon types. In addition, the use of specific types of weapons is conditioned by the demographic and lifestyle characteristics of victims and offenders.

Can Victim, Offender, and Situational Characteristics Differentiate Between Lethal and Non-Lethal Incidents of Intimate Partner Violence Occurring Among Adults?

“…Compared to other homicide types, a smaller percentage of IPH involve firearms, while a higher percentage involve strangulation, suffocation, or knives (Fox & Allen, 2013;Matias et al, 2020;Spencer & Stith, 2020;Thomas et al, 2011). However, a recent study found that domestic homicides and homicides with other motives were just as likely to involve firearms (Pelletier & Pizarro, 2019). Thus, incidents stemming from domestic disputes are significantly more likely to involve a firearm on-scene, as opposed to the offender leaving the scene to retrieve a firearm or having a firearm delivered (Pelletier & Pizarro, 2019).…”

“…However, a recent study found that domestic homicides and homicides with other motives were just as likely to involve firearms (Pelletier & Pizarro, 2019). Thus, incidents stemming from domestic disputes are significantly more likely to involve a firearm on-scene, as opposed to the offender leaving the scene to retrieve a firearm or having a firearm delivered (Pelletier & Pizarro, 2019). Indeed, offenders appear to remain near the scene during domestic disputes and thus use a weapon that is readily available (Corsaro et al, 2017).…”

Homicide Profiles Based on Crime Scene and Victim Characteristics

“…Similarly, it has been found that, as the aggressor’s age increases, there is a greater tendency to use bladed weapons and blunt objects [32]. Likewise, Khoshnood and Väfors Fritz [33] revealed that perpetrators between the ages of 37 and 59 are associated with non-premeditated-approach methods, thus these homicides tend to be triggered by arguments.…”

“…Finally, it has been shown that in the case of perpetrators who previously knew their victims, there tends to be a greater number and seriousness of injuries [41], with the homicides tending to take place indoors and most often using bladed weapons or blunt objects [32,42]. In addition, they tend to be triggered by an argument [33,43]; similarly, the victims are usually male and between the ages of 15 and 24 [44].…”

“…Finally, homicides in which the victims are unknown individuals tend to take place during the course of other criminal activities (e.g., robberies, sexual aggressions) and in outdoor locations. In these cases, there tends to be a greater forensic awareness by the perpetrator [32,43,44,45].…”