Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Predictors of Juvenile Homicide

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover A Closer Look at Juvenile Homicide

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Psychology ((BRIEFSBC))

  • 572 Accesses

Abstract

General risk factors across all juvenile homicides will be examined. This chapter will provide a detailed review of the individual, familial, and environmental risk factors associated with juvenile homicide . Such individual factors include cognitive (i.e., IQ, brain abnormalities, and neurological deficits) and psychological aspects (i.e., common psychiatric diagnoses found across youth offenders ). Additional factors include the role of dysfunctional home environments, child abuse, and parenting roles as well as the role that guns, gangs, and violent media play.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahonen, L., Loeber, R., & Pardini, D. (2015). The prediction of young homicide and violent offenders. Justice Quarterly, 33(7), 1265–1291. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418825.2015.1081263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, C. A., Shibuya, A., Ihori, N., Swing, E. L., Bushman, B. J., Sakamoto, A., et al. (2010). Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in Eastern and Western countries: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 136, 151–173pii: 2010-03383-001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Appleyard, K., Egeland, B., Dulmen, M. H., & Sroufe, L. A. (2005). When more is not better: The role of cumulative risk in child behavior outcomes. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 46(3), 235–245. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00351.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baglivio, M., & Wolff, K. (2017). Prospective prediction of juvenile homicide/attempted homicide among early-onset juvenile offenders. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(2), 197. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14020197.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, S. (1996a). Adolescents who murder. Journal of Adolescence, 19, 19–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, S. (1996b). Current perspectives on young offenders: Aliens or alienated? Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine, 3, 1–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bell, C. C. (1994, November 29). Statement of Carl C. Bell, M. D. and Esther Jenkins, Ph.D., Before the Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice of the Senate Committee on Juvenile Crime: Breaking the Cycles of Violence, November 29, 1994, presented by Dr. Bell, Community Mental Health Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bender, L. (1959). Children and adolescents who have killed. American Journal of Psychiatry, 116, 510–513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Busch, K. G., Zagar, R., Hughes, J. R., Arbit, J., & Bussell, R. E. (1990). Adolescents who kill. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 46, 472–485.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Corder, B. F., Ball, B. C., Haizlip, T. M., Rollins, R., & Beaumont, R. (1976). Adolescent parricide: a comparison with other adolescent murder. The American journal of psychiatry, 133, 957–961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cornell, D. G. (1993). Juvenile homicide: a growing national problem. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 11, 389–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornell, D. G., Benedek, E. P., & Benedek, D. M. (1987a). Characteristics of adolescents charged with homicide. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 5, 11–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornell, D. G., Benedek, E. P., & Benedek, D. M. (1987b). Juvenile homicide: Prior adjustment and a proposed typology. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 57, 383–393.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cornell, D. G. (1989). Causes of juvenile homicide: A review of the literature. In E. P. Benedek & D. G. Cornell (Eds.), Juvenile Homicide (pp. 3–36). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cornell, D. G & Malone, M. (2017). Child and adolescent homicide. In V. B. Van Hasselt & M. L. Bourke (Eds.), Handbook of behavioral criminology (pp. 139–156).

    Google Scholar 

  • Delisi, M., Piquero, A. R., & Cardwell, S. M. (2014). The unpredictability of murder. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 14(1), 26–42. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541204014551805.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DiCataldo, F., & Everett, M. (2008). Distinguishing juvenile homicide from violent juvenile offending. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 52, 158–174.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dolan, M., & Smith, C. (2001). Juvenile homicide offenders: 10 years’ experience of a adolescent forensic psychiatry service. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry, 12, 313–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dotteweich, J. (2006). Positive youth development resource manual. Ithaca, NY: ACT for Youth Upstate Center of Excellence.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrington, D. P., Loeber, R., & Berg, M. T. (2012). Young men who kill: A prospective longitudinal examination from childhood. Homicide Studies, 16, 99–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2017). Uniform crime reports for the United States 2017. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fikkers, K. M., Piotrowski, J. T., Weeda, W. D., Vossen, H. G. M., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2013). Double dose: High family conflict enhances the effect of media violence exposure on adolescents’ aggression. Societies, 3, 280–292. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc3030280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerard, F. J., Jackson, V., Chou, S., Whitfield, K. C., & Browne, K. D. (2014). An exploration of the current knowledge on young people who kill: A systematic review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 19, 559–571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2014.07.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heide, K. M. (1997). Juvenile homicide in America: How can we stop the killing? Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 15(2), 203–220. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)10990798(199721)15:2%3c203:aidbsl270%3e3.0.co;2-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heide, K. M. (2003). Youth homicide: A review of the literature and a blueprint for action. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 47(1), 6–36. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624x02239272.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huesmann, L. R. (2007). The impact of electronic media violence: Scientific theory and research. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41, S6–S13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.09.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, T. D., Burnett, K. F., & Edmonds, W. A. (2011). Intellectual, behavioral, and personality correlates of violent vs. non-violent juvenile offenders. Aggressive Behavior, 37(4), 315–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, T. D., Edmonds, W. A., Millen, D. H., & Detullio, D. (2018). Chronic juvenile offenders: Exploring risk factor models of recidivism. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 17(2), 174–193. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541204018770517.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, D. O., Moy, E., Jackson, L. D., Aaronson, R., Restifo, N., Serra, S., et al. (1985). Biopsychosocial characteristics of children who later murder: A prospective study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 142, 1161–1167.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, D. O., Lovely, R., Yeager, C., Ferguson, G., Friedman, M., Sloane, G., et al. (1988a). Intrinsic and environmental characteristics of juvenile murderers. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 27, 582–587.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, D. O., Pincus, J. H., Bard, B., Richardson, E., Feldman, M., Prichep, L. S., et al. (1988b). Neuropsychiatric, psychoeducational, and family characteristics of 14 juveniles condemned to death in the United States. American Journal of Psychiatry, 145, 584–589.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, D. O., Shanok, S. S., Grant, M., & Ritvo, E. (1983). Homicidally aggressive young children: Neuropsychiatric and experimental correlates. American Journal of Psychiatry, 140(2), 148–153.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., & Farrington, D. P. (2011). Young homicide offenders and victims: Development, risk factors and prediction from childhood. New York, NY: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., Pardini, D., Homish, D. L., Wei, E. H., Crawford, A. M., Farrington, D. P., et al. (2005). The prediction of violence and homicide in young men. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 1074–1088.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lyman, D. R. (1996). Early identification of chronic offenders: Who is the fledgling psychopath? Psychological Bulletin, 120, 209–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malmquist, C. P. (1996). Homicide: A psychiatric perspective. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, W. C. (1992). What treatments do we have for children and adolescents who have killed?. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online, 20(1), 47–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, W. C. (1994). Sexual homicide by adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 33, 962–969.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, W. C., & Kemph, J. P. (1988). Characteristics and treatment of four homicidal adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 27, 595–599.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, W. C., & Kemph, J. P. (1990). DSM-III-R Classification of murderous youth: Help or hindrance? Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 51, 239–242.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, W. C., & Scott, K. (1998). Psychotic and conduct disorder symptoms in juvenile murderers. Journal of Homicide Studies, 2, 160–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, W. C., Scott, K., Burgess, A. W., & Burgess, A. G. (1995). Psychopathology, biopsychosocial factors, crime characteristics, and classification of 25 homicidal youths. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 34, 1483–1489.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Dougherty-Wright, M., Masten, A. S., & Narayan, A. J. (2013). Resilience processes in development: Four waves of research on positive adaptation in the context of adversity. In R. B. Brooks (Author), Handbook of resilience in children. New York, NY: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petti, T. A., & Davidman, L. (1981). Homicidal school-age children: cognitive style and demographic features. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 12, 82–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosner, R., Weiderlight, M., Rosner, M. B. H., & Wieczorek, R. R. (1978). Adolescents accused of murder and manslaughter: A five year descriptive study. Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law, 7, 342–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, D. H. (1986). Girls who kill. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 30, 171–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santtila, P., & Haapasalo, J. (1997). Neurological and psychological risk factors among young homicidal, violent, and nonviolent offenders in Finland. Homicide Studies, 1, 234–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott, C. L. (1999). Juvenile violence. Forensic Psychiatry, 22, 71–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sendi, I. B., & Blomgren, P. G. (1975). A comparative study of predictive criteria in the predisposition of homicidal adolescents. American Journal of Psychiatry, 132, 423–427.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shumaker, D. M., & Prinz, R. J. (2000). Children who murder: A review. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 3(2), 97–115.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sorrells, J. M. (1977). Kids who kill. Crime and Delinquency, 23, 313–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, R. D., Oberle, E., Durlak, J. A., & Weissberg, R. P. (2017). Promoting positive youth development through school-based social and emotional learning interventions: A meta-analysis of follow-up effects. Child Development, 88(4), 1156–1171. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12864.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Justice. (1987). Survey of youth in custody (Bureau of Justice Statistics special report). Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walshe-Brennan, K. S. (1975). Children who have murdered. Medico Legal Journal, 43(1), 20–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walshe-Brennan, K. S. (1977). Asocio-psychological investigation of young murderers. British Journal of Criminology, 17, 53–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yates, A., Beutler, L. E., & Crago, M. (1984). Characteristics of young, violent offenders. Journal of Psychiatry and Law, 16, 137–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zagar, R., Arbit, J., Sylvies, R., Busch, K., & Hughes, J. R. (1990). Homicidal adolescents: A replication. Psychological Reports, 67, 1235–1242.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman, M. A., Stoddard, S. A., Eisman, A. B., Caldwell, C. H., Aiyer, S. M., & Miller, A. (2013). Adolescent resilience: Promotive factors that inform prevention. Child Development Perspectives, 7(4), 215–220. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12042.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL, USA

    Katelyn A. Hernandez

  2. Nova Southeastern University, West Miami, FL, USA

    Sara Ferguson

  3. Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL, USA

    Tom D. Kennedy

Authors
  1. Katelyn A. Hernandez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sara Ferguson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tom D. Kennedy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Hernandez, K.A., Ferguson, S., Kennedy, T.D. (2020). Predictors of Juvenile Homicide. In: A Closer Look at Juvenile Homicide. SpringerBriefs in Psychology(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38168-4_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation