Forensic psychiatric and criminal dimensions of juvenile homicide/attempted homicide cases in Turkey

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze a sample (n = 65) of juvenile homicide/attempted homicide cases in terms of psychiatric, demographic, criminal characteristics, IQ scores, and Rorschach test (where available) characteristics and decisions on criminal responsibility.

METHOD

Data were collected through a retrospective chart review of cases between the ages of 12 and 18 at the time of the offense, who were referred to the Observation Department of the Council of Forensic Medicine (Adli Tip Kurumu Baskanligi, Gözlem İhtisas Dairesi) for determination of criminal responsibility between 2014 and 2019 and who were assessed under inpatient status by law.

RESULTS

There were 65 juvenile homicide/attempted homicide offenders (7 female, 58 male). Reduced or no criminal liability was found in seven cases (10.7 %). Recent and past trauma was found in 21.5 % and 16.9 % of our cases respectively. The percentage of alcohol or illicit drug use disorder was 35.4 %. Non-suicidal self-injury was found in 38.5 % of our cases, and 6.4 % of these had a concurrent suicide attempt. Most of our cases (55.4 %) were neither in employment nor in education at the time of the offense.

CONCLUSION

The juvenile homicide/attempted homicide offenders were a heterogeneous group. Rates of serious mental illness were low. School and working functionality were low. Antisocial personality traits, alcohol/substance use disorders, past and recent trauma, emotional regulation problems, and poor school and work functioning appear to be important in the development of this serious offending.

Racial Differences Among Juvenile Homicide Offenders: An Empirical Analysis of 37 Years of U.S. Arrest Data

Homicides by juvenile offenders have been of great interest to the public and policymakers in the United States for four decades. Despite the concern over young murderers, many analyses have been limited to small clinical samples. Empirical studies using Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) data, a national database maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, have largely concentrated on analyzing basic victim, offender, and offense data or exploring gender differences. Racial differences, when explored with respect to juvenile homicide offenders (JHOs), largely have concentrated on White and Black offenders, given the low percentage involvement of American Indians and Alaskan Natives, and Asian and Pacific Islanders. This article used 37 years of SHR data (1976-2012; n = 52,916) to investigate differences between the four racial groups (White, Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Asian American/Pacific Islander). This article focused on three questions: First, did the offender and offense characteristics of all JHOs arrested during the study period vary by race? Second, did the characteristics of victims, weapons used, crime circumstances, and offender count in incidents in which JHOs killed single victims differ across racial groups? Third, are offender, victim, and offense characteristics predictive of racial classification? Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. The findings revealed more similarities than differences across the racial groups. Multinomial regression analyses revealed, however, that several variables were found to distinguish racial groups of JHOs in a predictive way: region, location, White victim, family victim, gun use, and homicide circumstance. Importantly, American Indian/Alaskan Native and Asian/Pacific Islander JHOs significantly differed from White and Black JHOs. In contrast to media depiction, gang-related homicides were significantly more likely to involve Asian/Pacific Islander juveniles than juveniles from the other racial groups. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Youth homicide: a study of homicide predictor factors in adolescent offenders in custody in the south of Brazil

OBJECTIVES

To assess the sociodemographic, psychiatric and criminal profile of adolescent offenders complying with temporary custody for homicide/homicide attempt and to compare it to that of the population of adolescents in custody for other crimes.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was based on the review of the medical records of 74 juvenile offenders in temporary custody at socioeducational agency Fundação de Atendimento Sócio-Educativo do Rio Grande do Sul. For the analysis, variables that presented p < 0.2 were included in multivariate adjustment through logistic regression.

RESULTS

The sample comprised males only, mostly with white skin color (55.6 vs. 57.9% for homicidal and non-homicidal, respectively) and with a high prevalence of school failure (77.8 vs. 91.2%). There was a high prevalence of family history of delinquency (88 vs. 81%). Only years of study and belonging or not to a criminal organization remained statistically significant in the multivariate model.

CONCLUSION

The results show that having fewer years of study and denying belonging to a criminal organization are predictive factors of homicidal behavior in adolescent offenders (both with statistical relevance). The other variables were not statistically significant for this outcome. The present study may serve as a basis for further research, which may improve our understanding of risk factors for juvenile homicide.

Perfis de Personalidade de Adolescentes que Cometeram Homicídio

Resumo O objetivo deste presente trabalho foi caracterizar perfis psicológicos em um grupo de adolescentes que cometeram homicídio. Participaram do estudo 33 adolescentes, do sexo masculino e feminino, com idades entre 14 e 19 anos, que cometeram homicídio e estão cumprindo medidas socioeducativas. Foram utilizados como instrumentos uma entrevista semiestruturada e o método de Rorschach (Sistema Compreensivo). Os adolescentes revelaram características que permitiram compreendê-los em três subgrupos: um grupo com componentes narcísicos patológicos mais frequentes, outro grupo que se destaca pela falta de habilidades sociais e interpessoais, com tendência a estabelecer relacionamentos conflituosos e com pouca capacidade de lidar com as demandas da vida diárias, e o último grupo apresentou juízo crítico e coerência rebaixados, como pensamentos excêntricos e desconsideração pelos comportamentos socialmente esperados. Os principais resultados permitiram constatar a insuficiência de recursos psicológicos que interferem na capacidade de adaptação ao meio em que vivem.

Assessing Empathy in Antisocial Youth: Factor Analytic and Validation Findings

Relatively few researchers have examined empathy among antisocial youth, although adolescents may differ greatly in the nature and frequency of their offending behavior. In this investigation, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used (1) to derive a brief empathy scale from the Psychopathic Personality Inventory–Short Version; (2) to assess the construct validity, internal consistency, and potential clinical utility of the derived empathy subscale; and (3) to identify key sociodemographic, psychosocial, and behavioral correlates of empathy in delinquent youth. The 707 adolescent residents of 27 Missouri Division of Youth services rehabilitation facilities had a mean age of 15.5 yr. ( SD = 1.2) and most (87%) were boys. Analysis suggested that the new measure possesses adequate psychometric properties and may be a useful addition to clinical assessments of antisocial youth.

Predicting juvenile offending: a comparison of data mining methods

In this study, the authors compared logistic regression and predictive data mining techniques such as decision trees (DTs), artificial neural networks (ANNs), and support vector machines (SVMs), and examined these methods on whether they could discriminate between adolescents who were charged or not charged for initial juvenile offending in a large Asian sample. Results were validated and tested in independent samples with logistic regression and DT, ANN, and SVM classifiers achieving accuracy rates of 95% and above. Findings from receiver operating characteristic analyses also supported these results. In addition, the authors examined distinct patterns of occurrences within and across classifiers. Proactive aggression and teacher-rated conflict consistently emerged as risk factors across validation and testing data sets of DT and ANN classifiers, and logistic regression. Reactive aggression, narcissistic exploitativeness, being male, and coming from a nonintact family were risk factors that emerged in one or more of these data sets across classifiers, while anxiety and poor peer relationships failed to emerge as predictors.

Male and female juveniles arrested for murder: a comprehensive analysis of U.S. data by offender gender

Murders committed by juveniles remain a serious concern in the United States. Most studies on juvenile homicide offenders (JHOs) have used small samples and have concentrated on male offenders. As a result, little is known about female JHOs and how they differ from their male counterparts on a national level. This study utilized the Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) database to examine more than 40,000 murders committed by male and female juvenile offenders from 1976 to 2005. This research effort, the most expansive to date, replicated previous findings with respect to gender differences using bivariate and multivariate analyses. As predicted, six variables used to test eight hypotheses with respect to male and female JHOs in single-victim incidents were significant (victim age, victim-offender relationship, murder weapon, offender count, victim gender, and homicide circumstance). Regression analysis revealed that all variables remained significant when entered into the model. This article concludes with a discussion of our findings and directions for future research.

Recidivism of juvenile homicide offenders

Serious offenses against persons perpetrated by juveniles raise fundamental questions about the background, causes, and prevention of future crime. The current study addresses the potential of future crime of all juvenile homicide offenders (JHOs) in the Netherlands in the period 1992-2007. In contrast to former research on recidivism of JHOs, which has been merely descriptive, the present study integrates theoretical perspectives as to why some of these juveniles turn back to crime, while others do not. To this end, relationships are investigated between recidivism behavior and risk factors. Results indicate that male JHOs, and JHOs who maintain relationships with delinquents, run a greater risk of reoffending.

Violence Risk Appraisal of Male and Female Youth, Adults, and Individuals

Data from youth ( n = 1,127), adults ( n = 1,595), and individuals ( N = 2,722, combined youth and adults) were followed 3 to 12 years in records to develop items to predict abuse, violence, and homicide in these 3 relevant groups for risk appraisal or safety scales. Shao's bootstrapped logistic regression yielded 14 predictors for youth ( AUC = .91), 11 for adults ( AUC = .99), and 13 for individuals ( AUC = .96). Three regression equations were cross-validated with in-bag and out-of-bag techniques. Pearson coefficients were computed with intelligence, achievement, adaptive behavior, and perception tests. Test-retest reliability was acceptable. Using case-control quasi-experimental design, this study extends probation-parole decision-making tests to infants and children as young as 3 years, with convergent and divergent validity and reliability with other tests. Sensitivity and specificity were high and minimized over- or under-identification challenges in identifying potentially violent persons in the general population.

Achieving adolescent adherence to treatment of major depression

When treatments are ordered for adolescent major depression, or for other adolescent medical illnesses, adherence and clinical outcomes are likely to be unsatisfactory, unless 4 basic principles of the medical treatment of adolescent illness are implemented. These comprise providing effective patient and parent/caregiver education, establishing effective patient and caregiver therapeutic alliances, providing effective treatment, and managing other factors associated with treatment adherence as indicated. The goals of treatment are to achieve the earliest possible response and remission. Failure to treat adolescent major depression successfully has potentially serious consequences, including worsened adherence, long-term morbidity, and suicide attempt. Accordingly, prescribed treatment must be aggressively managed. Doses of an antidepressant medication should be increased as rapidly as can be tolerated, preferably every 1-2 weeks, until full remission is achieved or such dosing is limited by the emergence of unacceptable adverse effects. A full range of medication treatment options must be employed if necessary. Treatment adherence, occurrence of problematic adverse effects, clinical progress, and safety must be systematically monitored. Adolescents with major depression must be assessed for risk of harm to self or others. When this risk appears significant, likelihood of successful outcomes will be enhanced by use of treatment plans that comprehensively address factors associated with treatment nonadherence. Abbreviated and comprehensive plans for the treatment of potentially fatal adolescent illnesses are outlined in this review.

Empirical risk factors for delinquency and best treatments: where do we go from here?

Youth development and prevention of violence are two sides of the same public policy issue. A great deal of theoretical and empirical effort has focused on identification of risk factors for delinquency and development of interventions for general risks. Recent calls for changes in public policy are evaluated here--and challenged--in light of new comprehensive, longitudinal empirical data on urban violent delinquency. Treatments such as prenatal care, home visitation, prevention of bullying, prevention of alcohol and/or drug abuse, promotion of alternative thinking, mentoring, life skills training, rewards for graduation and employment, functional family therapy, and multidimensional foster care are effective because they prevent or ameliorate risks for delinquency occurring during development. At present, the best treatments yield 10 to 40% reductions in delinquent recidivism. Better controlled application of developmentally appropriate treatments in higher doses, with narrow targeting of the highest-risk youth based on actuarial testing--rather than less accurate clinical judgment--should result in higher effectiveness. Such a focused approach in a geographical area with high homicide rates should be cost-effective. A prediction of cost-benefit outcomes for a carefully constructed example of a large-scale program is presented.

Identification, treatment, and prevention of homicide: fallacies in research, treatment, and policy--a postscript on youth violence

This postscript conveys lessons learned from the 5 studies by Zagar and colleagues which examined risks for later commission of violence and homicide among abused, violent, and homicidal youth and adults. This set of studies is the first longitudinal data on risks for extreme violence from infancy to adulthood. The 5 articles following these studies consist of a developmental context for risks, historical comparisons of risks for delinquency, analyses of the costs and benefits of actuarial testing and treatment, and a general discussion of the legal issues related to application of testing and treatments. A review of the state of research on homicide acknowledges the many contributors to the literature and ideas underlying this overall work. Then, a set of 12 "fallacies" about violence that prevent or inhibit adoption of realistic, empirically sound approaches to the reduction of violence in society are addressed.

Looking Forward in Records of Young Adults who were Convicted of Homicide or Assault as Youth: Risks for Reoffending

To assess risks of violent offending in young adults, 425 Delinquent Assaulters ( M age = 14.1 yr., SD= 1.7; 77 girls, 348 boys) were matched with 425 Nonviolent Delinquents. Analysis of data from court, school, and medical records used Shao's bootstrapped logistic regressions. Predictors of Assaulter status were poorer executive function ( OR = 0.97) and prior court contacts for violent offenses ( OR = 3.5e+ 23; AUC=.97; 95% CI = .82−.99). Looking in records backward 4 years ( M = 4.1, SD = 2.6) and forward 10 years to mean age 24.5 yr. ( SD = 2.1), adults were classified as Homicidal (8%, n = 69); Delinquent Assaulters Later Adult Assaulters (10%, n = 86); Delinquent Assaulters Later Noncriminals (32%, n = 270); Nonviolent Delinquents Later Nonviolent Criminals (10%, n = 87); and Nonviolent Delinquents Later Noncriminals (40%, n = 338). The Homicidal group ( n = 69) was compared to matched Control and Nonviolent Delinquent groups ( n = 69) using logistic regression. Predictors of Homicidal versus Control were poorer executive function and alcohol or substance abuse ( AUC=.97; 95%CI =.93−.99). Predictors of Homicidal versus Nonviolent Delinquents were unemployment, poorer executive function, and prior court contacts ( AUC=.98; 95%CI=.95−.99).

Cost Comparisons of Raising a Child from Birth to 17 Years among Samples of Abused, Delinquent, Violent, and Homicidal Youth Using Victimization and Justice System Estimates

Data from youth studied by Zagar and colleagues were randomly sampled to create groups of controls and abused, delinquent, violent, and homicidal youth ( n = 30 in each). Estimated costs of raising a nondelinquent youth from birth to 17 yr. were compared with the average costs incurred by other youth in each group. Estimates of living expenses, direct and indirect costs of victimization, and criminal justice system expenditures were summed. Groups differed significantly on total expenses, victimization costs, and criminal justice expenditures. Mean total costs for a homicidal youth were estimated at $3,935,433, while those for a control youth were $150,754. Abused, delinquent, and violent youth had average total expenses roughly double the total mean costs of controls. Prevention of dropout, alcoholism, addiction, career delinquency, or homicide justifies interception and empirical treatment on a cost-benefit basis, but also based on the severe personal costs to the victims and to the youth themselves.

Introduction to a Series of Studies on Abused, Delinquent, Violent, and Homicidal Youth and Adults

To study the risks of abuse and homicide, 5 studies of unique groups of abused, delinquent, violent, homicidal, and criminal cases representing ages from infancy to adulthood are presented with areas ( AUCs) under the receiver operating curves ( ROCs) and odds ratios ( OK) for commission of homicide. Delinquent samples compared show changes in risks since the early 1900s. Probation-parole tests contrasted reformed offenders with recidivists. Current data substantively extended examination of risks to infants and to female cases, increasing accuracy of prediction from the previous best AUCs = 0.69−0.76 to AUCs = 0.74−0.97. Empirically supported treatments may reduce onset of delinquency or reoffense beyond 10 to 40% if targeted to developmental risks among at-risk youth and within high-homicide urban areas. Parental costs of raising an abused, delinquent, or violent youth from birth to 17 years were double those of controls and, for a youth who committed murder, 23 times higher. Use of risk-based screening and empirical treatments are legal under U.S., British, and European constitutions and the U.N. Charter.

An Empirical Theory of the Development of Homicide within Individuals

There have been many attempts to explain violent behavior, identify its causes, and predict its occurrence among youth and adults. Research and theoretical constructions have dealt with such far-ranging aspects as childhood health, peer and parental interactions, neuropsychological function, school and community support, and substance use and dependency. Theories have tended to focus on one or a few of these aspects, but there is an effort by many researchers to converge on an integrated approach. By demonstrating unique risk patterns in random samples of later-homicidal abused infants, children, and youth, violent and homicidal delinquents, and homicidal adults, five studies by Zagar and colleagues provide the best current empirical evidence for a view of the development of delinquency as a process of accumulating risks. These risks begin with prenatal substance exposure and continue with abusive or neglectful parenting, academic failure, court contacts, compromised executive function and resultant poor social functioning. Analysis by sex shows that males' and females' risks are virtually identical. Various theories are evaluated with respect to these empirical risk patterns for development of violence and homicide. A proposal for the necessary elements of a successful, overarching explanatory theory is offered.

Looking Forward in Records of Youth Abused as Children: Risks for Homicidal, Violent, and Delinquent Offenses

To study risks of abuse, violence, and homicide, 181 Abused Children ( M age= 12.85 yr., SD = 2.14; 58 girls, 123 boys) were matched with 181 clinic-referred Controls. Data analysis was Shao's bootstrapped logistic regression with area under curve ( AUC) and odds ratios ( OR). Predictors of abused status were court contacts ( OR = 2.04e+22) and poorer executive function ( OR = .81; AUC=.99; 95% CI = .91−.99). Groups were tracked forward in records for 9 years ( M=8.78 yr., SD =1.41). Looking forward, youth ( M age = 21.63 yr., SD = 2.07) were classified into Abused Children Later Homicidal (5%, n = 10), Abused Children Later Violent (23%, n = 41), Abused Children Later Delinquent (28%, n = 50), Abused Children Later Nondeliquent (44%, n = 80), and Controls ( n = 181). Data were analyzed with two more logistic regressions. Predictors of Abused Children Later Homicidal compared with Controls were number of court contacts ( OR =50,398.78) and poorer executive function ( OR = 79.72; AUC =.91; 95% CI= .80−.95). The predictor of Abused Children Later Homicidal contrasted with Abused Children Later Nondelinquent was court contacts ( OR = 2,077,089,352; AUC=.87; 95% CI =.65−.95). The common predictor for Abused Children and Abused Children Later Homicidal groups was court contacts.

Summary of Studies of Abused Infants and Children Later Homicidal, and Homicidal, Assaulting later Homicidal, and Sexual Homicidal Youth and Adults

To study the risks of abuse, violence, and homicide, 5 studies of groups at risk for violence are summarized. 192 Abused Infants, 181 Abused Children, 127 Homicidal Youth, 425 Assaulters, 223 Rapists, and 223 Molesters were randomly selected and tracked in court, probation, medical, and school records, then compared with carefully matched groups of Controls and (in older groups) Nonviolent Delinquents. In adolescence or adulthood, these groups were classified into Later Homicidal ( N = 234), Later Violent or Nonviolent Delinquent, and Later Nondelinquent subgroups for more detailed comparisons. Shao's bootstrapped logistic regressions were applied to identify risks for commission of homicide. Significant predictors for all homicidal cases in these samples were number of court contacts, poorer executive function, lower social maturity, alcohol abuse, and weapon possession. Predictors for the 373 Abused cases (Infants and Children) were court contacts, injury, burn, poisoning, fetal substance exposure, and parental alcohol abuse. Predictors for the 871 Violent Delinquent cases (Assaulters, Rapists, Molesters) were court contacts, poorer executive function, and lower social maturity. Accuracies of prediction from the regressions ranged from 81% for homicidal sex offenders to 87 to 99% for other homicidal groups.

Comparing Early and Late Twentieth-Century Boston and Chicago Male Juvenile Offenders: What Changed?

To investigate changes in characteristics of delinquents over time, randomly selected contemporary delinquents (Zagar, et al., 1980–1988; n = 2,031) were compared with 3 historical Chicago and Boston samples (Healy & Bonner, 1909–1915, n = 2,000; Healy & Bonner, 1917–1923, n = 2,000; Glueck & Glueck, 1917–1922, n = 1,000). All underwent physical, psychiatric, psychological, school, and social examinations. Contemporary delinquents had more assault, burglary, homicide, alcohol and substance abuse, gang membership, head injury, overdose, and single parents. Historical delinquent samples had more thieves and families with both biological parents. Historical delinquent mean IQ was 5 points below standardization average; modern delinquents were 22 points lower. Contemporary offenders were a greater portion of the county public school-aged population. Current more sensitive and specific examinations account for increases in observed overdoses and head injuries in the 1980s sample. Other demographic differences between contemporary and 3 historical delinquent samples were robust. Findings are discussed with respect to a need for early actuarial assessment and empirical treatment of the costliest delinquents: the dropouts, alcoholics, addicts, career delinquents-criminals, and homicide-prone youth.

Can Violent (Re)offense be Predicted? A Review of the Role of the Clinician and Use of Actuarial Tests in Light of New Data

This article is an evaluation of established actuarial probation-parole tests in light of new data on violent and homicidal behavior. Probation–parole tests originally were developed by observing risks related with recidivism or return to court after release (i.e., the “danger” of releasing an individual) by following offenders in court records for up to 10 years. Commonly used probation-parole tests together comprise 82 distinct items related to characteristics of the offender: home, school, peers. Job, family, individual-medical, community, and court contacts. The risks for violence and homicide found by Zagar, et al. were compared with prior meta-analyses of risks with the criterion of violent delinquency. Bootstrapped logistic regressions in Zagar and colleagues' new data yielded highly accurate predictions of violence, showing that improved methods and sampling can lead to still higher accuracy than had been achieved by established probation-parole tests. A general discussion of the usefulness of actuarial tests and answers to challenges of their validity for decision making are provided.

Looking forward in Records of Young Adults Convicted of Sexual Homicide, Rape, or Molestation as Youth: Risks for Reoffending

To assess the risks predicting reoffense, 223 Rapists ( M age = 14.2 yr., SD = 1.5; 25 girls, 198 boys) were matched with 223 Nonviolent Delinquents; risks were analyzed using logistic regression. The one predictor was prior court contacts ( OR = 1.55e+12; AUC = .99, 95%CI = .98−.99). 223 Molesters were similarly matched with 223 Nonviolent Delinquents; this comparison yielded three predictors: previous court contacts ( OR = 4.55e+23), poorer executive function ( OR = 2.01), and lower social maturity ( OR = .97; AUC = .98, 95% CI = .97−.99). Records for all cases (now M age = 24.2 yr., SD = 1.4) were reviewed forward 10 years and youth were classified into groups: Sexual Homicidal (1%, n = 7), Delinquent Rapists Later Adult Rapists (11%, n = 73), Delinquent Rapists (21%, n = 144), Delinquent Molesters Later Adult Molesters (10%, n = 69), Delinquent Molesters (23%, n = 153), Nonviolent Delinquent Later Nonviolent Adult Criminals (7%, n = 45), and Nonviolent Delinquents (27%, n = 178). Comparison of Sexual Homicidal cases ( n = 7) with their matched Controls ( n = 7) yielded one predictor, poorer executive function ( AUC = .89, 95 % CI = .71−.93). When Sexual Homicidal cases were matched with Nonviolent Delinquents, predictors were low social maturity and prior court contacts ( AUC = .81, 95%CI= .64−.93).

Accepted Legal Applications of Actuarial Testing and Delinquency Interventions: Examples of Savings in Real-Life Situations

Violent crime, especially by youth, is an increasing and costly problem. Zagar and colleagues have described five empirical studies in which youths' and adults' risks were identified and used to predict commission of homicide. The samples were more representative of the most violent modern urban delinquents than samples in previous research from smaller cities. From Zagar and colleagues' results, it is clear that the use of actuarial personality and probation–parole tests to identify at-risk individuals and target treatments to their needs would allow organizations to reduce loss of life and improve quality of life and economic and social well-being. The current article first provides a brief review of the situations in which the courts already accept the use of actuarial personality and probation-parole tests. Following that are several representations of the costs and benefits of broader application of testing and treatment in schools, universities, and workplaces. Finally, a specific proposal for generalized screening is proposed in a city of 3 million, with estimates of lives saved and costs reduced.