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Month: August 2017

Homicide and Social Disorganization on the Border: Implications for Latino and Immigrant Populations†

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Abstract

Objective

We advance social disorganization theory by examining homicides disaggregated by motive and gang relation and by using data from El Paso, Texas—a predominantly Latino city with high levels of immigration and poverty.

Methods

We analyze homicide data from the El Paso Police Department's detective logs, 1985–1995, as well as data from the 1990 U.S. Decennial Census.

Results

Key measures of social disorganization tend to be associated with homicide but these relationships vary across type of homicide. Immigration and percent African American show no connection with any homicide measure, while percent Latino is only positively associated with gang-related homicides.

Conclusion

Overall, social disorganization is useful in understanding homicide in El Paso, but race/ethnicity and immigration do not operate as predicted. These results add important knowledge to a growing literature regarding the neighborhood-level associations between immigration, Latinos, and crime.

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Journey to Crime and Victimization: An Application of Routine Activities Theory and Environmental Criminology to Homicide

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Abstract

Despite the attention the crime of homicide has received by the academic community there are still gaps in the literature. One of these gaps pertains to the examination of the mobility patterns of homicide victims and offenders. This study addresses this gap by focusing on three research questions

(1) Does the distance traveled by homicide suspects and victims from their residence to the incident location vary by homicide motive type?

(2) Does the reason why homicide victims and suspects travel to the incident location vary by homicide motive type?

(3) What victim and suspect characteristics significantly predict the distance traveled from the residence to the incident location?

The analyses show that there are statistically significant differences among the homicide types in terms of the length of the journey of victims and suspects to the incident location. In addition, there is variation by motive in terms of why the...

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Are Unknown Victim-Offender Relationship Homicide Cases More Like Stranger, Family Or Acquaintance Homicides?

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Abstract:

Much has been made about the increase in the proportion of “unknown” victim-offender relationship homicides over the past twenty years. The relative frequency of the reporting of unknown victim-offender relationships in homicide has increased precipitously so that it now constitutes more than one third of all cases. This has implications for clearance rates, as unknown relationship cases are highly likely to be unsolved. Using data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) for the years 1996 through 2002, the present paper compares unknown relationship cases to other known relationship categories (i.e., family, acquaintance and stranger) to determine how similar/dissimilar they are based upon selected characteristics and circumstances.

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Ritual and Signature in Serial Sexual Homicide Louis B. Schlesinger, Martin Kassen, V.

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Abstract

Ritual and signature are fantasy-driven, repetitive crime scene behaviors that have been found to occur in serial sexual homicide. Notwithstanding numerous anecdotal case reports, ritual and signature have rarely been studied empirically. In a national sample of 38 offenders and their 162 victims, we examined behavioral and thematic consistency, as well as the evolution and uniqueness of these crime scene actions. The notion that serial sexual murderers engage in the same rituals and leave unique signatures at every scene was not supported by our data. In fact, the results suggest that the crime scene conduct of this group of offenders is fairly complex and varied. Implications of these findings for forensic assessments and criminal investigations are discussed.

Since the early case studies of sexual murder by von Krafft-Ebing,1 offenders have been reported to engage in various crime scene behaviors that are unnecessary in the commission of...

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Motives in a Triple Spree Homicide

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Abstract

Juries, criminologists, prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and the lay public like to know the motive for a murder—especially when there are unusual features such as multiple victims, extensive injuries, or unexplainable acts to the bodies. However, many times the motive is not readily available from the murderer because he does not confess or he does not consciously know why he killed. The following case describes the analysis of multiple motives in a triple spree homicide committed in a very short time frame. Robbery was the primary motive for the first victim and sexual homicide was the motive for the second and third victims.

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Special Issue on Elderly Homicide

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The topic of elderly homicide is important for two major reasons. First, nearly every publication on elderly homicide indicates that we are closing in on a very large increase in the elderly population. Second, while the number of elderly homicides is small, they have a number of characteristics that differentiate them from other age groups o victims.

The “Senior Tsunami” While it is discussed in more detail in the articles in this issue, what is called the “senior tsunami” is a very large increase in the elderly population because those born between 1945 and 1965—the baby boomers—will have turned 65 in 2011 (Brookings Institute, 2010; Frey, 2007).

What contributes to the increase even more is that the World War II generation born between 1936 and 1945—is currently part of the 65 and older group. According to Frey (2007, p. 1) just as the World War II generation, “plowed its way through the nation’s school systems, labor market, housing market, and stock market, it continually...

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Crimes Against the Elderly 2003–2013

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For the period 2003–13, elderly persons age 65 or older experienced nonfatal violent crime victimizations at lower rates (3.6 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 65 or older) than younger persons ages 12 to 24 (49.9 per 1,000), persons ages 25 to 49 (27.6 per 1,000), and persons ages 50 to 64 (15.2 per 1,000) (figure 1). Nonfatal violent crime includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. Each year, the elderly accounted for approximately 2% of violence and 2% of serious violence, which equals 136,720 violent crimes and 47,640 serious violent crimes. However, the elderly made up about 21% of the population age 12 or older during this time period. The rate of property crime was also lower compared to younger persons.This report uses data from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) to provide detailed information on nonfatal violent victimization and property victimization against...

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Elderly Homicide in Chicago: a Research Note.

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Abstract

There is a body of knowledge about elderly crime victims, but we know little about the characteristics of elderly perpetrators, especially of homicide. The few studies that have been published are based on small samples and are somewhat dated. In an examination of homicides committed in Chicago over a 31-year period, we compared cases involving perpetrators aged over 60 years (n = 443) with those involving younger perpetrators (n = 24,066). There were a number of significant differences. Elderly killers were more likely to be White and to commit suicide afterwards. Their victims were more likely to be spouses, females, and aged over 60 years. Inter-racial homicide was more common for younger offenders. The low number of homicides involving the elderly is explained by reference to routine activity theory....

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Patterns of Homicide Among the Elderly.

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Abstract

Forty-five homicide offenders aged 55 and older are analyzed in the contexts of their deadly acts. Analyses include demographic and social characteristics of offenders and victims, demographic and social relationships between offenders and victims, circumstances of offense, and arrest disposition. Where feasible, comparisons are made with age-general populations of homicide offenders. Explanatory insights based on the "routine activity approach are offered....

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The Elderly Victim of Homicide: An Application of the Routine Activities Approach

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Abstract

This study attempts to resolve some of the disparity between lifestyle/routine activities theory and empirical findings concerning the elderly victim of homicide. Analysis of Canadian data leads to the conclusion that the elderly are disproportionately victims of theft-based homicide, a finding not consistent with the routine activity approach. A reformulation of the theory resolves the theory/data gap....

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Interrogation under Drug Influence

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It has long been known that certain drugs which have a depressing effect upon central nervous system function, also produce a remarkable candor or freedom from inhibition in the subject, which causes him to give truthful answers to questions. The oldest of these drugs is alcohol. For centuries investigators have realized that one method of loosening the tongue and eliminating repressive influences in an uncommunicative subject is to ply him with liquor. This well-known effect of alcohol has given rise to the time-honored aphorism "in vino veritas"- in wine there is truth.1 With the advent of anesthesia about a century ago, it was observed that during the induction period and particularly during the recovery, interval, patients were prone to make extremely naive remarks about personal matters, which, in their normal state, would never have been revealed. Probably the earliest direct attempt to utilize this phenomenon in criminal interrogation stemmed from observations of...

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Alcohol In Decomposed Bodies: Postmortem Synthesis And Distribution.

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Abstract

Blood alcohol (ethanol) concentrations in decomposed bodies can mean drinking during life and/or endogenous production after death. The correct interpretation is important in medicolegal cases. This retrospective study of 286 autopsied medical examiner cases was undertaken to evaluate alcohol concentrations and distribution in various fluids and tissues in decomposed bodies. Cases with alcohol present were classified as endogenous production, ingestion, or unable to determine based upon one or more of the following criteria: the presence of ethanol in only one of more than one body fluids, an atypical distribution of ethanol in body fluids, reliable scene or historical information, the presence of C3 alcohols in body fluids. Alcohol was classified as endogenously produced in 55 cases. The presence of alcohol was attributed to ingestion in 130 cases. No alcohol was detected in 39 cases. We were unable to determine the source of the remaining 62 alcohol concentrations. The highest blood alcohol concentration derived from...

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Narco-Analysis: A New Technique in Short-Cut Psychotherapy: A Comparison with Other Methods: And Notes on the Barbiturates

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Abstract

This little book summarizes the author's experience with barbiturates as aids in the production of hypnosis. He contends that narcotic hypnosis resembles ordinary hypnosis in all essential respects. A chapter on the chemistry of the barbiturates is included. The author recounts his experiences with narcoanalysis in a mental hospital and in outpatient clinics. A few cases of war neurosis, simulation and malingering are discussed. The book thoroughly considers the technic of therapy with intravenous sodium pentothal and amytal. The theoretical chapters indicate that the author rightfully uses the treatment only as the first step and follows it with other psychotherapy and assistance to the patient in reconstructing his outlook on life. It is unfortunate that the author delayed writing this book concerning his early experience with narcoanalysis. It would have been invaluable to American military psychiatrists in their early therapeutic trials. However, the work is still up to date and...

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What to do if a GHB Overdose Occurs

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We must take care of our own. Talk about what to do if a GHB overdose occurs Since it's a more frequent occurrence that any of us would prefer...talking it through ahead of time can help those around you know what to do in case an overdose does happen. Contact the events EMT, they are there for you. Check their breathing. Turn the individual on their side so if they vomit while unconscious they won't choke. If there is reason to think they are in danger, call help immediately. The most dangerous period is between 20 and 120 minutes after ingestion. Try to find out what else they may have taken. Always lean on the side of caution and safety. Whenever someone becomes unconscious after taking a depressant, there is a risk of death. If someone begins vomiting and convulsing after taking GHB, the person should get medical attention immediately....

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Death from GHB

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Death from GHB

March 5, 2011

Case series of 226 γ-hydroxybutyrate-associated deaths: lethal toxicity and trauma. Zvosek DL et al. Am J Emer Med 2011;29:319-332

Abstract

This long paper retrospectively reviews an extensive series of γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) fatalities culled from various sources, including medical examiner/coroner records, state health departments and toxicology labs, law enforcement agencies, and cases reported to the website www.ProjectGHB.org. Cases were included if levels of GHB or 1,4-Butanediol (BD) in various biologic specimens exceeded pre-set cutoffs.

A total of 226 BHG-associated deaths were identified: 213 directly caused by drug toxicity, 13 from trauma judged to be associated with the drug (6 motor vehicle crashes, 6 drownings, 1 fire). Deaths from drug toxicity were most likely caused by respiratory depression.

The authors make a number of important points:

Although GHB is often mistakenly considered safe if taken alone, a number of deaths in this report...

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Women Who Kill: A Comparison Of The Psychosocial Background Of Female And Male Perpetrators

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the psychosocial background of female and male perpetrators convicted of homicide in Sweden between 1995–2001. All women (n = 43) who were convicted for lethal violence during the period and a corresponding number of randomly chosen men (n = 43) were examined. In total, information about 86 individuals was collected retrospectively. Areas of interest were psychosocial variables during childhood and at the time of the current crime. Results showed that both female and male perpetrators were psychosocially encumbered already at an early age. Homicidal women had more severe childhood circumstances, but less aggressive childhood behaviour than did their male counterparts. At the time of the crime, women had a more ordered social situation, had more often been exposed to violence and searched for help than had the men. These gender differences suggest that specific actions are needed for preventing women's homicidal behaviour...

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