NCJ Number
101318
Journal
Journal of Legal Studies Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1986) Pages: 1-10
Date Published
1986
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This analysis of data on robberies committed in Chicago from October 1, 1982, through September 30, 1983, focused on the conditions in robbery events that caused victim injury and death.
Abstract
Data were obtained on all killings the police classified as robbery-related (95), the 142 killings for which the police assigned no motive, a sample of 346 robberies involving victim injury, and a sample of 360 nonlethal robberies recorded by the police. Seven out of 10 killings involved victims and offenders with no prior relationship. Three-quarters of the homicides involved victims and offenders of the same race, and 8 out of 10 had male victims and offenders. Whether or not a weapon was used in a robbery significantly influenced the death rate, and if residential robbery killings are excluded from the sample, guns accounted for 76 percent of robbery deaths. Robbery victim deaths were strongly associated with active victim resistance. Street robbery involved a active victim resistance. Street robbery involved a relatively high risk for victim injury but a low risk of death. More than one offender in a robbery did not increase the risk of victim injury or death. Implications are drawn for criminological theory and criminal law (regarding felony murder, capital punishment, and weapons and firearms policy). Tabular data and 60 footnotes.