ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 2

Aging and Homicide Rates
Paanila, J
University of Kuopio, Niuvanniemi Hospital,

Tiihonen, J

Eronen, M
Vanha Vaasa Hospital,

Hakola, P
University of Kuopio, Niuvanniemi Hospital,

(Received 5 February 1999; accepted 21 June 1999)

Abstract

There are no published studies concerning the effect of mortality rate on the rate of homicide by habitually violent offenders. On the basis of nation-wide statistics in Finland, the frequency of homicide is 61% lower among 50-year old males than among 30-year old males. However, when the 4.9-fold mortality of habitually violent offenders is taken into account, the homicide rate is only 43% lower among 50-year old males than among 30-year old males. This is an important issue in forensic psychiatry and that requires further attention, as age is used a predictive factor when assessing the risk of violent behavior.

Keywords:
forensic science, age, death, homicide rate, mortality, offender, violence

Paper ID: JFS14691J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14691J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.