Criminal Profiles and Aggravating Circumstances in Homicides and Murders in Spain: A Jurisprudential Analysis

• In Event: Homicide & Murder in Spain: New Evidence and Perspectives

Abstract

The aim of this research is to conduct an in-depth criminological and legal analysis of homicides and murders in Spain, identifying key patterns and relationships between various variables. Using a jurisprudential database of Spanish court rulings, this study examines the impact of offender-victim relationships, crime location, time of occurrence, weapon type, and aggravating circumstances on criminal dynamics. Special emphasis is placed on the co-occurrence of aggravating factors such as treachery, cruelty, abuse of superiority, and discrimination, and their interaction with offender and victim profiles. The findings reveal significant statistical associations between certain types of homicide and specific contextual elements, providing insights that could enhance both criminal investigations and judicial sentencing policies. This study contributes to a better understanding of the characteristics of homicides in Spain and their potential criminological implications.

Author

• Mariana Noelia Solari Merlo, Universidad de Cádiz