This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by CRITTENDEN, P. M. Articles by CRAIG, S. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by CRITTENDEN, P. M. Articles by CRAIG, S. E. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Developmental Trends in the Nature of Child Homicide

University of Miami

SUSAN E. CRAIG

University of Miami

Child homicide is a frequent cause of death in children under 6 years of age. However, compared to other, less prevalent causes of death, it is poorly understood. There is a need to identify a coherent pattern or set of patterns among cases of child homicide. Child age may be a useful explanatory variable. This study differentiated among neonatal, early, and middle childhood deaths. Neonatal deaths were not related to child behavior, child physiological abnormality, or maternal parity or marital status; they were related to maternal isolation during the birth. Homicidal deaths of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers (early childhood) were usually the result of parental attempts to control child behavior. These deaths appeared to be unintended and related to the physical vulnerability of the child who is smaller than the attacking adult. Deaths of school-age children (middle childhood) resulted most often from gunshot wounds. Few children of any age were unsupervised or killed by strangers. The data suggest that it is difficult, or even impossible, to identify preventively specific cases of incipient homicide. An epidemiological approach to prevention is suggested; means of reducing risk are suggested for each of three age groups.

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol. 5, No. 2, 202-216 (1990)
DOI: 10.1177/088626090005002005


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Hunnicutt and G. LaFree Reassessing the Structural Covariates of Cross-National Infant Homicide Victimization Homicide Studies, February 1, 2008; 12(1): 46 - 66. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. Bourget, J. Grace, and L. Whitehurst A Review of Maternal and Paternal Filicide J Am Acad Psychiatry Law, March 1, 2007; 35(1): 74 - 82. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Brookman and J. Nolan The Dark Figure of Infanticide in England and Wales: Complexities of Diagnosis J Interpers Violence, July 1, 2006; 21(7): 869 - 889. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. C. Boudreaux and W. D. Lord Combating Child Homicide: Preventive Policing for the New Millennium J Interpers Violence, April 1, 2005; 20(4): 380 - 387. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. C. Boudreaux, W. D. Lord, and S. E. Etter Child Abduction: An Overview of Current and Historical Perspectives Child Maltreat, February 1, 2000; 5(1): 63 - 71. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. R. Block and A. Christakos Intimate Partner Homicide in Chicago Over 29 Years Crime Delinquency, October 1, 1995; 41(4): 496 - 526. [Abstract]