Violent Crimes Flashcards
Murder
Willful killing of a human being, excludes justifiable homicides and suicides
Justifiable homicide
Killing of armed or dangerous felons by police or private citizens
Degrees of Murder
First degree:
Premeditation, Deliberation, Felony Murder
Second degree: No premeditation, resulting from an assault in which death is possible
Manslaughter:
Voluntary (heat of the moment, no prior intent to kill)
Involuntary (e.g. drunk driving)
Nature and extent of murder in US
Tends to be an urban crime Victims tend to be males Highest murder rates in the South Largely an intraracial crimes Most offenders and victims under the age of 25
Victim Offender Relationship
Typically, murder is a relatively spontaneous event; arguments escalate in lethal violence, usually involving handguns and alcohol
About 75% of victims know their killer (non-stranger homicides)
Spousal relationship Women tend to kill their mates because of suffering violent attacks; for men, fear of losing control, infidelity
Personal relations Revenge, jealousy, drug-related
Other Types of Murder
Serial Killer: a person who kills three or more persons in three or more separate events
Mass Murder: the killing of four or more victims by one or a few assailants within a single event
Spree killers: rampage of violence taking place over a period of days or weeks
Simple and Aggravated Assault
Aggravated- Weapon is used or displayed in a threatening manner, or victim suffers obvious or severe injury
Simple- No weapons, no serious injury
Typical offender mirrors homicide
Most assaults are simple
Explanations of Homicide and Assault
Why is the United States more violent than other industrial nations?
Higher amount of social inequality;
Higher rate of handgun ownership;
A history of violence
Violent crime are related to deteriorated urban areas because of:
population density;
household crowding;
dilapidated living conditions, extreme poverty and high unemployment
Gender differences in homicide mostly stem from norms of masculinity and socialization
Robbery
Taking or attempting to take anything of value by force or threat of force and/or putting the victim in fear
Disproportionately committed by men and African Americans
Mostly involves strangers
Most likely to involve a gun
Types of Robbers
Professional Robbers
Opportunistic Robbers
Addict Robbers
Alcoholic Robbers
Hate Crimes
Violent acts committed against a person or member of a group because of its race, ethnicity, gender, or religious affiliation