Comparison of a national sample of homicides committed by lone and multiple perpetrators

Abstract

Homicide committed by multiple perpetrators is an understudied area and there has been no research investigating psychiatric differences between multiple and lone perpetrators of homicide. The objective of this study was to explore the demographic, criminological and psychiatric differences of the victims and perpetrators of multiple perpetrator homicides and compare them with the victims and perpetrators of lone perpetrator homicides. A 10-year (1997-2006) consecutive national sample of homicide perpetrators in England and Wales was used in this study. Of the 5806 homicides identified, 1485 were perpetrated by two or more convicted offenders. Convicted perpetrators who engaged in multiple perpetrator homicide were younger and single and less likely to be mentally ill at the time of the offence. It is concluded that supportive services should be provided for young people to reduce the rate of multiple perpetrator homicide.

Post‐incarceration Recidivism of Lone versus Group Juvenile Homicide Offenders

“…Some of the results obtained from the pre‐incarceration analyses were consistent with findings from previous research that utilized mixed samples of juveniles and adults. Similarly to prior studies, the data indicated that group offenders were more likely to target a stranger (Clark, ; Roscoe et al, ) and perpetrate homicide during the commission of another crime (Block, ; Cheatwood & Block, ). The finding that group offenders were more likely than lone JHOs to have a prior criminal record (83% vs. 56%) supports what Clark () found in his multi‐city sample.…”

“…Previous comparative research has found several differences between lone and group murderers with respect to demographic, homicide offense, and behavioral characteristics, using samples that contained both juvenile and adult offenders. Compared with lone murderers, group murderers tended to be younger (either juveniles or younger adults and juveniles) (Cheatwood & Block, ; Clark, ; Cornell, ; Juodis, Woodworth, Porter, & Ten‐Brinke, ; Roscoe et al, ), committed homicide in conjunction with other felonies, such as robberies (Block, ; Cheatwood & Block, ; Clark, ; Juodis et al, ), and were more likely to target strangers (Clark, ; Roscoe et al, ). Inconsistent findings emerged with respect to criminal history.…”

“…Inconsistent findings emerged with respect to criminal history. Clark () found higher levels of prior criminality among group homicide offenders, whereas Roscoe et al () reported that lone homicide offenders were more likely to have prior convictions, specifically for violence.…”

Invited Address: Street Killings: Prediction of Homicide Offenders and Their Victims

“…Homicide offenders tend to be also recidivist offenders, often not necessarily in terms of homicide reoffending but in terms of general delinquent recidivism (Liem, 2013). About a quarter of homicides are committed by multiple perpetrators (Roscoe et al, 2012). Both murderers and their victims amount to high costs to society: DeLisi et al (2010) reported that the average cost per murder exceeds $17.25 million; in addition, the average murderer poses costs approaching $24 million.…”

U.S. Homicides: Multi-Offenders and the Presence of Female Offenders

“…Thus, juvenile offenders were more likely than adults to offend in the context of a group (or with at least one other offender) as opposed to acting alone. Furthermore, research conducted in other countries (i.e., England and Wales) also found that multi-offender homicides were more likely to be committed by younger offenders (Roscoe et al 2012).…”