Substance use patterns among young homicide offenders in Finland, 2002-2022

• In Event: Homicide in Europe

Abstract

Recent research suggests that the substance abuse link in Finnish homicide may be moving from alcohol to drugs. We draw on the Finnish Homicide Monitor (FHM) to examine patterns of substance use in lethal violence involving young (aged 15 to 29) offenders in Finland in the period 2002–2022. We describe the use of various types of substances at the time of the offense, observe possible changes in substance link profile, and probe patterns by developing a data-driven classification of substance use patterns among homicide offenders, also in comparison to adult-perpetrated lethal violence. Due to the relative lack of prior research on the role of diverse types of substance use in Finnish homicides, the findings are of critical value in term of development of both crime prevention and drug harm reduction policies.

Authors

• Miisa Törölä, University of Helsinki

• Maiju Tanskanen, University of Helsinki

• Sofia Malinen, University of Helsinki

• Anna Raeste, University of Helsinki

• Karoliina Karjalainen, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare

• Janne Kivivuori, University of Helsinki