NCJ Number
55481
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THIS CANADIAN STUDY REVIEWS 100 CASES IN WHICH A FAMILY MEMBER WAS KILLED BY AN ADOLESCENT. THE 14 CASES OF MATRICIDE, 11 CASES OF PATRICIDE, AND 2 OF FRATRICIDE ARE EXAMINED IN DETAIL TO IDENTIFY UNDERLYING CAUSES.
Abstract
THE STUDY FOUND THAT THE KILLING OF A SISTER IS RARELY REPORTED IN THE LITERATURE. ON THE OTHER HAND, 27 OF THE 100 STUDY CASES HAD KILLED A MOTHER, FATHER, OR BROTHER. THE REMAINING ADOLESCENTS (DEFINED AS YOUTHS UNDER AGE 21) MURDERED IN-LAWS, COMMON-LAW RELATIVES, OR OTHERS WITHIN THE KINSHIP STRUCTURE. A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE MATRICIDE, PATRICIDE, AND FRATRICIDE CASES IDENTIFIES THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS UNDERLYING THESE CRIMES, THE PRECIPITATING CAUSES, THE PHENOMENA OF OVERKILLING, INCESTUOUS CONFLICT, AND PARTNERSHIPS IN KILLING. IT IS FOUND THAT SUCH MURDERS ARE THE RESULT OF DISTURBED FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS STRETCHING OVER MANY YEARS. THOSE ADOLESCENTS WHO DO KILL FAMILY MEMBERS ARE USUALLY THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO RUN AWAY OR EXPRESS THEIR REBELLIONS IN PEER-DIRECTED FORMS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT DELINQUENCY, AS SOCIALLY DISTURBING AS IT IS, IS ACTUALLY AN OUTLET FOR AGGRESSIONS WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE LEAD TO FAMILY MURDER. DESPITE THE DISTURBED NATURE OF THESE YOUTHS, THE JUVENILE COURT'S RESPONSE IS USUALLY A QUICK REMAND TO ADULT CRIMINAL COURT, WHICH GENERALLY SENDS THE OFFENDER TO AN ADULT PENITENTIARY. UNLIKE ADULT MURDERERS, THESE ADOLESCENTS RARELY COMMIT SUICIDE AND USUALLY EXPERIENCE A SENSE OF RELIEF. A DELAYED REACTION AFFECTING THE REST OF THEIR LIVES DOES HAPPEN HOWEVER. PROGNOSIS FOR REHABILITATION IS CONSIDERED GOOD BECAUSE THE VIOLENCE WAS IN RESPONSE TO A SPECIFIC SITUATION AND IS SELF-LIMITING. EXTENSIVE REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)