The Story of My Adult Child. Qualitative analysis of the life stories of homicide victims and pathways to victimhood

• In Event: Homicide in Europe

Abstract

The aspiration of this study is to enhance criminological knowledge on homicide through qualitative analysis of individual homicide cases. Further, it adds to the previous studies on homicide by providing unique view to the life of the victim through the eyes of the parent. Data consists of in-depth interviews with parents who shared the life stories of their children who had become victims of homicide when they were 18-29 years old. The biographical reconstructions of homicide victims life exposes the turning points and crossroads where the path to possible premature death was chosen. According to previous research, the same factors increase both the risk of using violence and the risk of becoming its victim. For instance, risk factors for violence are the early-appearing substance abuse problems, school difficulties, susceptibility to aggression and crimes, as well as mental health disorders. Qualitative analysis of life stories enhances our understanding on these risk factors and how the pathways leading to victimhood might be disrupted. Study is part of research project Out of Despair, which is funded by The Strategic Research Council (SRC) in the Academy of Finland.

Author

• Iina Sahramäki, University of Helsinki