Distinguishing Juvenile Homicide From Violent Juvenile Offending
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, Vol. 52, No. 2, 158-174 (2008)
http://ijo.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/52/2/158?rss=1
Frank DiCataldo ; Meghan Everett
"Juvenile homicide is a social problem that has remained a central focus within juvenile justice research in recent years. Research has attempted to conceptualise adolescent murderers as a clinical category that can be reliably distinguished from their nonhomicidal counterparts. This study examined 33 adolescents adjudicated delinquent or awaiting trial for murder and 38 adolescents who committed violent, nonhomicidal offences to determine whether the two groups differed significantly on family history, early development, delinquency history, mental health, and weapon possession variables. Two key factors did distinguish the homicide group: These adolescents endorsed the greater availability of guns and substance abuse at the time of their commitment offences. The significance of this finding is discussed, and the implications for risk management and policy are reviewed."
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