The prediction of adolescent homicide: episodic dyscontrol and dehumanization

Negative rumor: contagion of a psychiatric department

Over the past few decades, a sizable body of literature on the effects of rumors and gossip has emerged. Addressing rumors in the workplace is an important subject, as rumors have a direct impact on the quality of the work environment and also on the productivity and creativity of the employees. To date, little has been written on the effect of rumors and gossip in psychiatric hospitals. This article presents case vignettes of rumors spread in psychiatric hospitals and the impact on team cohesion and morale among the staff implicated in these, too often, neglected occurrences. Dynamic aspects with particular focus on rumors in psychiatric units and suggestions for remedy and treatment are presented.

Looking Forward and Backward in Records for Risks among Homicidal Youth

To identify risks for commission of homicide, 26 convicted Homicidal Youth ( M age =14.9 yr., SD =1.4; n = 26; 1 girl, 25 boys) were matched with 26 Nonviolent Delinquents and 26 clinic-referred Controls. Youth were tracked backward 8 years ( M = 7.7 yr., SD =1.5) and forward 3 years ( M = 3.1 yr., SD =1.2) in records. Data analysis was Shao's bootstrapped logistic regression yielding area under the curve ( AUC) and odds ratios ( OR). Predictors of homicide were poorer executive function ( OR = 7.04e+40), violent family ( OR = 4.01e−16), and alcohol abuse ( OR = 7.33e−17; AUC=.97, 95% CI = .77−.99). From earlier studies, 101 Homicidal Youth and their Controls were reanalyzed similarly. Predictors were poorer executive function ( OR = 6.51), lower social maturity ( OR = 0.28), weapon possession ( OR = 26.10), and gang membership ( OR = 4.14; AUC= .98, 95% CI = .96−.99). Groups were combined, i.e., 26 and 101 Homicidal; 127 Homicidal Youth (7 girls, 120 boys) and their matched Controis were tracked in records. The predictor was poorer executive function ( OR= 3.34e−21; AUC = .98, 95% CI = .96−.97). When 127 Homicidal Youth were compared with 127 matched Nonviolent Delinquents, predictors were poorer executive function ( OR = 2.83e–02), weapon possession ( OR = 1.63e−10), lower social maturity ( OR= 1.15), and use of special education services ( OR = .94; AUC= .94, 95% CI= .37−.99).

Adolescent homicides in Finland: Offence and offender characteristics

Approximately 9% of the homicides in Finland are committed by adolescents under 20 years of age. The purpose of this study was to investigate the offence and offender characteristics in homicidal adolescents. Forensic psychiatric evaluation statements of adolescent offenders accused of a homicide during 1990-2001 were reviewed retrospectively (n=57). In 38% of the cases, there were multiple offenders. In 58% of the cases, the victim was an acquaintance, in 25% a stranger, in 12% a family member and in 5% of the cases an (ex)intimate partner. Sixty-nine percent of the offenders were intoxicated and 21% under the influence of drugs at the time of the killing. The most frequent motives were an argument (25%) and a robbery (25%). Sixty-four percent of the offenders had developmental problems and 42% had a crime history. Approximately half were diagnosed as having a conduct or a personality disorder, but 32% of the offenders were considered not to suffer from a mental illness or substance abuse. For 63%, the level of intellectual functioning was average or above average. There were signs of more than one form of violence in 54% of the cases and 28% of the cases contained excessive violence. The use of multiple and excessive violence was significantly related to the offender age, multiple offenders, offender-victim relationship and substance abuse, but not related to having developmental problems, crime history or mental illness.

Youth homicide: a review of the literature and a blueprint for action

This article first synthesizes the literature on clinical and empirical findings related to youth homicide. Thereafter, it reviews the literature with respect to the treatment of juvenile homicide offenders. Although a large body of literature exists, many questions regarding etiology, associated risk factors, intervention strategies, and long-term outcomes remain unanswered. The article concludes with recommendations to guide future research efforts with the aim of increasing understanding of etiological factors associated with juvenile homicide and designing effective intervention strategies. Greater advances in knowledge will follow with the implementation of enhanced methodological designs that examine juvenile homicide across four distinct time frames: the years preceding the homicide, the time period immediately following the homicide, the incarcerative or treatment period, and the post-release period.

Children who murder: a review

Despite considerable research on juvenile homicide, pre-adolescent homicide offenders have received less attention. This paper reviews the existing literature on preteen murderers in order to characterize the current state of research knowledge about this population, and draws on some of the work on adolescent homicide as well. The analysis of this literature considers historical context, methodological issues, previous attempts to classify youthful homicide offenders, and predictors of preteen homicidal behavior. While there is a high degree of heterogeneity within this population, several developmental similarities emerged across cases that were associated with the perpetration of homicide by preteens. A high percentage of preteen homicide offenders come from homes characterized by physical abuse, domestic violence, poor or absent parenting, and overall instability. Gun availability may have been a facilitating factor. Support for different etiologies of preteen versus adolescent homicide is weak. Recommendations for future research directions are offered.

Homicidal adolescents: a replication

30 homicidal delinquents were matched with 30 nonviolent delinquents on age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status. Both groups received physical, psychological, educational, psychiatric and social examinations. Data were evaluated using stepwise discriminant analysis. Previous research was replicated. Homicidal adolescents shared four symptoms: criminally violent families, gang participation, alcohol abuse, severe learning difficulties. In addition, when the sample and the original group of murderers were combined the contrast between groups became clearer. Juvenile murderers lived in criminally violent families learning aggression during early childhood. Cognitive and perceptual deficits associated with epilepsy and central nervous system (CNS) conditions led to difficulties in the school years. During adolescence, gang participation and alcohol abuse added to earlier risk factors.

Adolescents who kill

From a sample of 1,956 adolescent delinquents referred to us by the court for physical, psychological, psychiatric, educational, and social examinations, 71 delinquents convicted of homicide were matched with 71 nonviolent delinquents by age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES). These two groups were compared on the basis of these evaluations by stepwise discriminant analysis, matched pairs, two-tailed t-tests, and nonparametric tests. Adolescents who kill have a tetrad of symptoms: (1) criminally violent family members; (2) gang membership; (3) severe educational difficulties; and (4) alcohol abuse.

Biopsychosocial characteristics of children who later murder: a prospective study

The authors document the childhood neuropsychiatric and family characteristics of nine male subjects who were clinically evaluated as adolescents and were later arrested for murder. Those subjects are compared with 24 incarcerated delinquents who did not go on to commit violent offenses. The future murderers displayed a constellation of biopsychosocial characteristics that included psychotic symptoms, major neurological impairment, a psychotic first-degree relative, violent acts during childhood, and severe physical abuse. The authors relate this combination of factors to prediction of violence and discuss ethical issues that are involved in intervention to prevent violence.

The lust murder of Edward

The events surrounding an act of great violence committed by an adolescent boy are discussed. Significance rests in the fact that both the victim and the offender were known to the author. It is suggested that in the genesis of this crime, three critical factors converged: an offender whose psychopathology was such that an impulsive act of sexual violence was possible, a victim whose helplessness, availability and symbolic appeal made him ripe for exploitation, and finally, a social network of significant others whose own preoccupations and losses led them to overlook the signals of impending violence. Here again as part of that network of significant others, the author is in a unique position to comment intimately on the nature of this environmental 'failure' and on its subsequent ramifications.

A model of violence

The assessment of the violent individual presents a challenge to psychiatrists. Many theoretical approaches contribute to the understanding of violence, but none are totally adequate for the clinician's purposes. The assessment of violent behaviour can be undertaken using three separate dimensions--"Dehumanisation", "Acceptance of Violence" and "Rage and its Control"--which together form a framework for the formulation of clinical data. This framework is described and the relevance of theoretical contributions to the three dimensions is discussed. It is suggested that this framework assists in the classification of violent individuals and in the prediction of the potential for future violence.