Homicide

Abstract

In the absence of significant social unrest, conflict, or war, adolescent homicides should be unusual events; however, as with homicides in general, the youth homicide rate in the United States far exceeds that of any other modern industrial nation. In this chapter we detail the prevalence of, factors related to, and the prevention and intervention of adolescent homicides for offenders ages 12–17 years. Studies examining youth violence and perpetration of homicide demonstrate that the factors that ultimately lead an adolescent to commit a homicidal act are more complex than individual characteristics including mental health and are embedded within broader transactional–ecological system that includes biological, individual characteristics, family dynamics, and school and community influences. No single strategy has been designed to address the myriad of factors that increase the risk that a homicide might occur; prevention strategies take a comprehensive, whole–child approach that simultaneously seek to build the social capital a youth needs to refrain from violence that leads to homicide. Research has failed to document cases where positive offender outcomes have been related to prison sentences without subsequent treatment; persistent confinement in juvenile facilities is a significant predictor of later committing murder.