The Influence of the Presence of an Audience in Cases of Victim Precipitated Homicide

• In Event: Third Party Observers: Effects and Victimizations

Abstract

Victim precipitated homicide is a phenomenon generally credited to the seminal work of Marvin Wolfgang. It is primarily hypothesized in this study that the odds of a victim precipitated homicide occurring are increased when an audience is present. A secondary hypothesis investigates the victim’s consumption of alcohol as a moderator between the presence of an audience and victim precipitated homicide. Regression analyses demonstrate that the presence of an audience significantly increases the odds of a victim precipitated homicide. Some support was found for alcohol as a moderator but in an unexpected manner. Impacts and opportunities for future research are discussed.

Authors

• Donald E. Hunt, Georgia State University

• Dean A. Dabney, Georgia State University

• Lisa Muftic, Sam Houston State University