Differences Between Gang and Nongang Homicides*

Abstract

Does gang-related homicide direr suficiently from nongang homicide to warrant specialized law en forcement response? Both cross-tabular and discriminant analyses of data from over 700 homicide investigation files reveal substantial direrences in ethnic@, age, number of participants, and relationship between participants. Gang homicides are also more likely to involve public areas, automobiles, firearms, and, in one jurisdiction, associated offenses and injury to other victims. Gang incidents present unique problems to investigators, who may well benefit from specialized skills of experienced gang experts.

Testing a promising homicide reduction strategy: re-assessing the impact of the Indianapolis “pulling levers” intervention

“…More specifically, prior gang research shows that there are key demographic correlates of the actors that have been consistent predictors of gang homicides when compared with non-gang homicides, which include the age, race, and gender distribution of the actors involved. This body of research shows that participants in gang homicides tend to be younger, non-white, and male (Decker and Curry 2002;Maxson et al 1985;Pizarro and McGloin 2006;Spergel 1983). In terms of the situational features of the events, gang homicides often include multiple suspects, involve the use of firearms, and are more likely to be drug related than are non-gang homicides (Blumstein and Wallman 2000;Decker and Van Winkle 1996;Maxson and Klein 1990;Maxson et al 1985;Fagan 1989;Vigil 1988).…”

“…In particular, prior studies have indicated that gang homicides are more likely to include multiple suspects and involve use of firearms as the method of death than are non-gang homicides (Decker and Curry 2002;Maxson andKlein 1990, 1996;Maxson et al 1985;Parker and Johns 2002).…”

“…Homicide disaggregation: gang and non-gang homicide Researchers interested in explaining the different forms of homicide have examined many components of the event, including, but not limited to: the victim-offender relationship, the age, race, and gender of the victim and/or suspect, and the unique circumstances of the event (Decker 1996;Decker and Van Winkle 1996;Fagan 1989;Kubrin 2003;Maxson and Klein 1990;Maxson et al 1985;Parker 2001;Pridemore 2002;Riedel 1987;Wolfgang 1958). In particular, prior studies have indicated that gang homicides are more likely to include multiple suspects and involve use of firearms as the method of death than are non-gang homicides (Decker and Curry 2002;Maxson andKlein 1990, 1996;Maxson et al 1985;Parker and Johns 2002).…”

“…The participation of gang members in illegal drug sales is well established across a variety of studies (Decker and Van Winkle 1996;Fagan 1989, Maxson et al 1985Vigil 1988). Blumstein and Wallman (2000) linked the temporal sequencing of the rise in homicide in the early 1990s with the emergence of street drug sales.…”

“…In terms of the demographic measures, these include the actor's age, race, and gender (Bowker et al 1980;Curry and Spergel 1988;Decker 2003;Decker and Curry 2002;Maxson et al 1985;Spergel 1983). The key situational measures include detailed information about the homicide incident.…”