Can Victim, Offender, and Situational Characteristics Differentiate Between Lethal and Non-Lethal Incidents of Intimate Partner Violence Occurring Among Adults?

Abstract

This study investigates risk factors that predict the likelihood of homicide as a result of intimate partner violence. Using a subsample of the 2011 National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data, we estimate binary logistic regression models comparing homicide by intimate partners to aggravated assault by intimate partners. Several victim characteristics (race, age), offender characteristics (age, race, relationship with victim), and situational characteristics (weapon use, offender alcohol use) differentiated homicide incidents from aggravated assault incidents. The findings provide evidence that characteristics of victims, offenders, and events contribute to the likelihood that intimate partner violence will escalate to homicide.

Should we be paying more attention to firearm threats in ex‐partner stalking cases?

“…Similar to research findings in prior studies, the current study found that stalking victims with abusers who owned guns experienced more coercive control, threats, and physical abuse during the relationship than stalking victims with abusers who did not own guns Logan & Lynch, 2021a;Overstreet et al, 2020;Small et al, 2019;Spencer & Stith, 2020). Additionally, the current study found that stalking victims with abusers who own guns were stalked for more years, on average, and endured more threats during the course of stalking than stalking victims with abusers who did not own guns.…”

“…More specifically, research suggests that close to 14% of women, overall, have ever been threatened with a firearm by an (ex)partner (Adhia et al., 2021) and around two‐fifths of women experiencing partner abuse have been threatened with a firearm (Logan & Lynch, 2018; Lynch, 2020; Sorenson & Schut, 2016; Sorenson & Wiebe, 2004). Firearm threats in the context of partner abuse increase fear and danger for victims (Lynch & Logan, 2018; Matias et al., 2020; Overstreet, McNeeley, & Lapsey Jr, 2020). Having easy access to a firearm is associated with an increased risk of partner homicide, with one study estimating the likelihood of over 11 times compared to abusers without guns (Spencer & Stith, 2020).…”

“…Partner abuse and stalking victims are uniquely positioned to evaluate the increased danger to themselves and potentially to others from their abusive partner, as they can integrate a wide variety of risk information about the frequency, severity, and context of threats as well as other problematic behaviors (Bell et al., 2008; Cattaneo et al., 2007; Connor‐Smith et al., 2010; Logan, 2020a; Logan & Walker, 2017). Credibility of threats may be increased depending on the abuser history of problematic behaviors such as substance abuse problems, violence toward others, severe mental health problems, and criminal justice system involvement (Campbell et al., 2003; Campbell et al., 2008; Overstreet et al., 2020; Spencer & Stith, 2020). Additionally, research on characteristics of lone terrorists and mass shooters has found several factors associated with an increased risk of following through with violence, including affiliating with likeminded peers (e.g., others who are violent or have similar views of violence), self‐identification with weapons or a warrior mentality, personal grievances or moral outrage (e.g., angry or racist views), and suicidal ideation (Capellan & Jiao, 2019; Gamache et al., 2015; Meloy & Gill, 2016; Meloy et al., 2012; Silver et al., 2018).…”

“…Recent research has found that partner‐abuse victims experience a range of implicit and explicit firearm‐related threats, which include threats to harm the victim but also threats to harm other people, such as individuals close to the victim and the general public (Kafka et al., 2021; Logan & Lynch, 2021a). Abusive partners who have access to firearms, compared to those who do not, have been found to be more controlling, violent, and threatening (Kafka et al., 2021; Overstreet et al., 2020; Small et al., 2019; Spencer & Stith, 2020). Studies also suggest that partner‐abuse victims who experience firearm‐related threats have higher fear levels and increased distress compared to victims whose partners do not threaten their partners with guns (Logan & Lynch, 2018; Sorenson, 2017; Sullivan & Weiss, 2017).…”

Risk Assessment Instruments for Intimate Partner Femicide: A Systematic Review

“…Tools with the power to predict homicide are required to discern between potential lethal and non-lethal violence cases. Scientific evidence reveals that there are notable differences in victim, offender and situational characteristics that contribute to the probability of PPW escalating to IPF (Jung and Stewart, 2019 ; Overstreet et al, 2021 ). The increase in frequency and severity of violence, separation/divorce and kill threats are some of the main factors on which research in the field agree (Nicolaidis et al, 2003 ; Belfrage and Rying, 2004 ; Campbell et al, 2009 ; Dobash and Dobash, 2011 ; Kivivuori and Lehti, 2012 ; Vatnar and Bjørkly, 2013 ; Cunha and Goncalves, 2016 ; Johnson et al, 2020 ; Monckton Smith, 2020 ; Abrunhosa et al, 2021 ).…”