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

Abstract

Prior research reveals a clear need to distinguish between homicides committed by solo offenders and those who act with another person. Moreover, as gender is considered in homicides, the dynamics of the offense change. This study examined homicide incidents by several offender combinations that consider gender and number of offenders. We rely on 2006-2010 National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data (N = 12,441). The findings indicate that male solo offenders commit the majority of homicides. When offenders act with other offenders, the characteristics of the offense and offender vary. Multi-offenders were more likely than solo offenders to be younger and black. They also are more likely to have a concurrent offense and have either a stranger victim or related victim. When a female offender was present, the dynamics also varied from incidents where a female offender was not present. Incidents with a female offender present were more likely to have older offenders and co-offenders. Such incidents were less likely to have a related victim, use a firearm, have a female victim, and be black. Again, the dynamics change when a female acted with another person, mirroring characteristics associated with a female solo offender homicide incident in some ways and mirroring characteristics of multi-offender homicide incidents in other ways. Female offenders who commit homicide, therefore, differ substantially from male solo offenders who commit homicide. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Likelihood of Arrest for Robberies, Assaults, and Sexual Offenses Committed by Group and Lone Offenders

“…For example, the variable for female offender was assigned a value of 1 (yes) if all offenders in a criminal incident were female and 0 (no) if there was at least one male offender. Flattening offender sex in this way was appropriate given that the sex composition of group-offender incidents, such as male–female, female–female, or male–male, may affect the seriousness of offending, especially for incidents involving violent crimes (Bell-Holleran & Vandiver, 2016; Cunningham & Vandiver, 2018; Terranova & Vandiver, 2014).…”

Offending, Adjudication, and Outcome Patterns of Solo Male, Solo Female, and Partnered Mass Murderers

“…Mass murder research has advanced in recent years to include the use of inferential statistics (e.g., Bell Holleran & Vandiver, 2016;Lankford, 2013Lankford, , 2015; however, research remains limited with respect to offending (particularly with respect to more detailed victim information including age, sex, and relationship to offender), adjudication (e.g., convictions and sentences), and outcome (e.g., suicide or killed prior to trial) patterns in mass murder studies. Most sample sizes are also small, focused on particular types of mass murderers, or limited to the United States (e.g., Langman, 2009;Larkin, 2009;Newman & Fox, 2009;Vossekuil et al, 2002).…”

“…In comparison, although more is known about partnered homicide offenses, research remains limited compared with studies on solo male homicide offenders. For example, researchers have explored the need for different theory and interventions, and the role of gender (see, for example, Becker & McCorkel, 2011; Bell Holleran & Vandiver, 2016; Cheatwood, 1993; Conway & McCord, 2002; de Melo Nunes & Baltieri, 2013; Kraemer, Lord, & Heilbrun, 2004); however, studies are limited to qualitative data, short time spans, or rarely include female offenders (see, for example, Clark, 1995; Juodis, Woodworth, Porter, & Ten Brinke, 2009). The dynamics within partnered offending groups are varied, and it is likely that multiple underlying factors feature throughout the course of these criminal relationships.…”

Carrying Disaster Lightly: Assessment of Resilience in Two Populations with Psychopathic Features

“…One viewpoint regarding gendered offending trajectories depicts violent females with psychopathic traits as survivors of trauma and abuse, who often co-offend with male perpetrators (Bauer, Whitman, & Kosson, 2011;Bell-Holleran & Vandiver, 2016). The survival-based theories of female offending are considered feminist or gendered pathways to crime, associated with risk factors such as childhood trauma, low SES, and psychiatric disorders (Jones, Brown, Wanamaker, & Greiner, 2014).…”