Violent Offenders

Question 1

Expressive vs instrumental violence

Answer 1

Expressive violence- acts that vent rage, anger or frustration (emotional)

Instrumental violence - designed to improve the financial or social position of the offender (gangs, some sort of gain)

Question 2

Washington Sniper

Answer 2

Sits between serial and mass murder - killed at random, no relationship with victims, premeditated

Question 3

Causes of violence - broad views

Answer 3

Violence is personal (about the individual)

Improper socialisation and upbringing (interactions)

Culturally determined (eg growing up in violent neighbourhood, different values)

Question 4

Causes of violence - factors

Answer 4

Personal trait and make-up
Evolutionary factors, human instinct
Substance abuse
Socialisation and upbringing (parenting, cycle of violence)
Exposure to violence (gangs, neighbourhood)
Cultural values/subculture of violence

Question 5

Personality traits/makeup

Answer 5

People who kill (Biro et al.)

49% hypersensitive-aggressive (trait aggression)
28% normal (no deficits)
17% psychopathic (unstable emotionally)
5% Psychotic (bizarre murders, delusions)

Murderous youth suffer signs of neurological impairment

Question 6

Homicide rates

Answer 6

1.3/100,000 (recent) ranges btw 0.8 and 2.4 per 100,000
60% occur in residential premises 
1/2 occur Fri, Sat, Sun
60% of victims male
87% of offenders male
2 out of 5 under influence of alcohol 

Streets 24%, other 13%
80% committed by someone known to victim
Women more likely to kill husbands, ex’s, defactos, lovers, their kids

Question 7

Relationship of victim and offender

Homicide is based on relationships

Answer 7

Male victims and offenders: friends/acquaintances, strangers, family, intimate, other

Female victim and offenders: intimates, family, friends family, stranger, other

Child victim and offender: custodial parent, non-custodial, acquaintance, friend