Citation

Stanback B, King-Kallimanis BL. Homicide Stud. 2011; 15(1): 32-47.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1088767910397272

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Older offenders are the fastest growing group in the U.S. prison system, although little is known about older offenders who commit homicides, their victims, or the details of the crime. The current study investigated covariates associated with four categories of homicide: intimate, family, acquaintance, and unrelated victims. Using the Chicago Homicide Dataset, a subsample was created of offenders 50 years and older (n = 972). In a multinomial multivariate regression, where unrelated homicides were defined as the base outcome, it was rev ealed in intimate and family comparisons that women were at a significantly higher risk of victimization. Crimes that occurred in residences were significantly associated with all three homicides groups compared with unrelated homicides. The use of alcohol was significant in crimes where an acquaintance was the victim. The results suggest that earlier identification of at-risk older adults and more social support in the community could be integral in the prevention of violent crimes.