Murder in the family: a study of some homicidal adolescents.

VioLit summary: OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study by Duncan et al. was to examine risk factors for homicide in youth who had threatened to kill or had killed a parent. METHODOLOGY: A non-experimental review of case studies was employed for this study. Five incidents were reviewed; four of these involved one juvenile while one involved three juveniles for a total of seven offenders. One of the youth had threatened to kill a parent; the other seven had actually done so. The ages of the youths ranged from 10-18. Case material reviewed included the life situations of the adolescents, the adolescents' efforts at nonviolent solutions to problems, the nature of the homicidal threat or act, and the role of the victim. The authors attempted to develop criteria for assessing risk for homicidal behavior. A non-experimental review of the literature was also conducted. FINDINGS/DISCUSSION: Each of the cases studied indicated a sequence of circumstances that had become progressively more unbearable. In almost all of the cases, the homicidal inclinations were the result of some abuse or neglect on the part of one or both parents. The author suggested that, in each case, it was possible that the risk of homicide was greater when the act was thought to benefit others as well as the youth. When alternatives to violence were not attempted, available, or had been tried and failed, there was a greater risk for homicide. It was also found that the adolescents killed when the victim was in a state of temporary helplessness such as having his/her back turned, in bed, or drunk. It was suggested that the youth who had killed a member of the family had removed the source of the problem and was no longer dangerous. It was stated that the adolescents' abrupt loss of control was associated with changes in the interpersonal relationship between adolescent and victim. Parental brutality was also found in a review of the literature on other homicidal populations. AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS: Seven areas of homicidal risk were identified by the authors and recommended for review in clinical practice. First, a background review was recommended that included history of parental hostility, evaluation data, and verbal or behavioral destructive impulses. Second, the authors suggested examining the patient's control over current impulses as determined by the history and behavior in response to stress. Third, an exploration into the patient's knowledge and ability to use realistic alternatives to violence was encouraged. Fourth, clinicians were advised to review the patient's ability to cope with provocation from the intended victim both in the past and in the present. The fifth was a review of the degree of helplessness of the intended victim. Sixth, an assessment of the availability of weapons was suggested. Finally, the specificity of homicidal hints or threats about homicide of the victim were important to evaluation; details of fantasy and measures to ensure escape were discussed specifically. EVALUATION: This study supports the findings of many other studies in the field of juvenile homicide: abuse in the family is linked to violent/homicidal behavior among juveniles. The identification of specific criteria for risk assessment is helpful. This study must be taken as exploratory, however, because of the small sample size and the qualitative nature of the analysis. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado) KW - Juvenile Offender KW - Juvenile Violence KW - Domestic Homicide KW - Domestic Violence Offender KW - Homicide Offender KW - Parent Homicide KW - Homicide Risk Factors KW - Domestic Violence Risk Factors KW - Violence Causes KW - Homicide Causes KW - Case Studies KW - Child Offender KW - Child Violence KW - Late Childhood KW - Late Adolescence KW - Early Adolescence Language: en