A Comparison of Juvenile and Adult Gang Homicide Characteristics

• In Event: Issues in Homicide

Abstract

Homicide characteristics are those features and elements that an individual or cohort of individuals possesses due to their BioPsychoSocial inheritance and birthright. However, the degree to which these characteristics are correlated to juvenile gang homicide and adult gang homicide will vary depending on the extremity in which the characteristics/factors manifest themselves, as well as an individual’s aptitude to withstand negative elements. Even though there is individual variation, one can attempt to measure which characteristics/factors are most common and which seem present themselves as problematic. The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) is used to analyze such correlates related to gang homicide. This study aims to create increasing awareness on juvenile gang homicide characteristics compared to adult gang homicide characteristics so future researchers can better understand both the similarities and differences in order to propose better policy to help alleviate the gang problem.

Authors

• Alec Szalewski, Lakeland College

• Melissa J. Tetzlaff-Bemiller, University of Memphis