Citation

Underwood RC, Patch PC. Homicide Stud. 1999; 3(4): 333-347.

Affiliation

California School of Professional Psychology-Fresno

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1088767999003004005

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study presents a first look at the phenomenon of siblicide on a national level using data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reports and the Supplementary Homicide Reports. Five hundred and fourteen (514) single victim cases between 1993 and 1995 were examined. Contrary to what one might expect, siblicide was more common in early to middle adulthood as opposed to adolescence. Results indicated a stable trend in the frequency of siblicide at approximately 1.0% of the national homicide rate over a 12-year period. Specific variables addressed included age, gender, type of weapon, race/ethnicity, offender-victim relationship, and the geographical distribution of siblicide cases.