NCJ Number
158824
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 23 Issue: 5 Dated: (1995) Pages: 451-460
Date Published
1995
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Using a sample of homicide incidents from urban areas, this article examines differences in lone versus multiple offender homicides.
Abstract
Homicide researchers have noted that information on specific types of homicide, particularly group homicides, is lacking. This article examines differences in lone and multiple offender homicides and compares, through both bivariate and multivariate analyses, the victim, offender, and situational characteristics of these two types of events. The results suggest that differences in lone versus multiple offender homicides do exist, with these differences being driven by the offender. A review of the situational characteristics leads to the following conclusions: (1) Lone offender homicides are characterized by incidents involving nonfelonies, different sexes, drinking victims, victims and offenders who know each other, and victims who contribute to their demise. (2) Multiple offender events tend to be incidents which involve concurrent felonies. Analyses on offender characteristics also suggest that offenders involved in multiple offender incidents are significantly more criminalgenic than lone offenders, more likely to be wanted by the criminal justice system, to have a known drug history, and to kill during a concurrent felony. Targeting these individuals for increased sanctions may have a positive effect on preventing future violence. Tables, notes, references