Intrinsic and Environmental Characteristics of Juvenile Murderers

Violent criminality and self-compassion

“…Specifically, McNulty and Bellair (2003) found that situational factors tied to impoverished communities such as exposure to violence may mediate socioeconomic status and violent crime. Indeed, research indicates a strong link between exposure to violence and violent crime, especially if this exposure occurs in childhood (Caspi et al, 2003;De Bellis, 2005;Lewis et al, 1988;Lewis, Shanok, Pincus, & Glaser, 1979;McNulty & Bellair, 2003;Rennison, 2001;Vissing, Straus, Gelles, & Harrop, 1991;Widom, 1989a). Specifically, exposure to physical abuse during childhood may predict future criminal behavior.…”

Who's in, who's out, and who's back: follow‐up data on 59 juveniles incarcerated in adult prison for murder or attempted murder in the early 1980s

“…In addition, the intelligence levels, home environments, involvement in other antisocial behavior, substance abuse histories, and other social dif®culties of juvenile homicide offenders have been addressed in several reports (for synopses, see Adams, 1974;Cornell, 1989;Ewing, 1990;Heide, 1999). Empirical studies of adolescent murderers, although few in number, have examined differences between juvenile murderers and other types of juvenile offenders (Lewis, Shanok, Grant, & Ritvo, 1983;Lewis, et al, 1985Lewis, et al, , 1988aLewis, et al, , 1988bSanttila & Haaspasalo, 1997;Zagar, Arbit, Sylvies, Busch, & Hughes, 1990). In addition, they have addressed distinguishing characteristics among types of youth who commit murder (Corder, Ball, Haizlip, Rollins, & Beaumont, 1976;Cornell, 1990;Cornell Benedek, & Benedek 1987;Cornell, Benedek, & Benedek, 1989;Cornell, Miller, & Benedek, 1988;Greco & Cornell, 1992;Heide, 1992;Heide, 1999;Myers, Scott, Burgess, & Burgess, 1995).…”

A model for differentiating school shooters characteristics

“…This is further strengthened by the fact that significant relationships were identified between this theme and the offender being either fostered or adopted, had a family member with a criminal history and parents with drug or alcohol issues. Research has shown that a child is also more likely to have aggressive outbursts where there is abuse in the home, criminal histories within the family and also where there is parental substance abuse (Lewis et al, 1988;McGee & DeBernardo, 1999; The final rarer theme, evident in only 7.5% of the cases, is one where school shooting is seen as part of a generalised criminal activity. Here we have an offender who has a fascination with weapons, past criminal convictions, has been violent in the past, has been violent against family members and who planned and/or implemented the offence with another individual.…”

“…Family criminality has also been identified in previous research; Gerard et al (2015) found that 14% of their sample had a history of family criminality. A child is also more likely to have aggressive outbursts where there is abuse in the home, criminal histories within the family and also where there is parental substance abuse (Lewis et al, 1988;McGee & DeBernardo, 1999;Shumaker & Prinz, 2000).…”