This study examines the relationship between gender roles, gender status, and the gender gap in homicide victimization across nations, building on Gartner et al. We also test assumptions put forth by Gartner et al. regarding the gender gap in homicide across victim-offender relationship configurations. Gartner et al. anticipated increased rates of female homicide victimization in cases involving strangers (non-intimate partners and non-family members). We conducted fixed-effect panel analyses using data from a sample of nations to explore associations between gender roles, gender status, and the gender gap in homicide victimization. We utilize contemporaneous and conditional models, which explore effects under contextual conditions (low vs. high gender status). The findings reveal nuanced patterns due to sample composition. In the updated sample of mostly Western nations, the associations between gender roles and the gender gap were consistent with previous research. In the extended sample, including non-Western nations, these associations were inconsistent with prior research. Additionally, the victim-offender relationship assumptions from Gartner et al. were not supported. Our study provides insights into gender-based disparities in homicide victimization, highlighting the need for further research to understand the underlying mechanisms. Addressing the persistent gender gap in homicide requires nuanced approaches informed by contextual factors.

Previous studies of homicide have examined the probative value of DNA and other forensic evidence for increasing case solvability and identifying best practices in prioritizing investigative resources. The current study was designed to extend this research by evaluating how different types of model specifications may dramatically alter substantive conclusions about the overall and context-specific effects of a DNA match on the likelihood of a homicide’s solvability. Analyses of a sample of 315 homicide cases from Cleveland, Ohio revealed that the presence of a DNA match had no overall significant effect on case clearance, but the impact of DNA exhibited large context-specific effects on this case outcome when its effect was evaluated conjunctively within subsets of offense attributes (i.e., different case profiles involving the presence or absence of eyewitnesses, contact weapons, and incidents in indoor locations) and victim characteristics (i.e., gender, race/ethnicity, income level of the victim’s place of residency). Results show that the most difficult to solve homicide cases are assisted by DNA matches, while DNA matches in homicides that occurred indoors with no eyewitnesses were associated with lower solvability. The results of these analyses are discussed in terms of their implications for future research to better identify the particular situational contexts in which DNA evidence is most and least effective in homicide solvability.

Black communities are disproportionately impacted by homicide, yet research on how surviving family members and friends of murdered victims cope with their violent, traumatic death is limited. This scoping review examines current literature on how Black communities cope with homicide, identifies key concepts, reviews study methods, summarizes findings, and offers implications for future research. A scoping review of empirical studies (2000–2024) consisting of majority Black participants coping with homicide was conducted. Out of 2,932 articles, 35 met the inclusion criteria. An inductive thematic analysis was used to synthesize results. Findings from these studies revealed two domains: the sociocultural context of coping and coping strategies, consisting of eight themes (e.g., racism and social stigma, the impact of homicide, support, spiritual coping, activism, maintaining a connection to the deceased, substance use, avoidance, and concealment). These findings emphasize social and cultural factors that shape Black experiences with homicide, which consequently impact the coping resources and strategies they use to manage the violent, traumatic death of loved ones. Implications for future research should focus on standardized collection of homicide data, contextualization of homicide experiences, and diverse research methods.

Researchers of public mass murder have identified a growing list of correlates and relevant criminological theories but have not fully appreciated a previously identified and unusual characteristic of these events—offenders rarely make any effort to escape the scene of their attack, either dying there by suicide (or at the hands of others) or accepting that the attack is their “final act” in society and that they will be arrested and die in prison. Although these outcomes objectively differ, in at least one way they can be considered functionally equivalent—each extinguishes the offender’s existing life. This nearly universal characteristic appears worthy of increased research attention. One potential avenue for future efforts rests on a leading theory of suicide—The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide—according to which suicidality precedes and underlies all murder-suicides. Consideration of this theory points to potential avenues for reassessing known correlates and existing theoretical work.

Retail or commercial businesses in a neighborhood may act as crime generators or attractors, providing opportunities for crime, including homicide. However, different types of businesses may be more likely to be associated with homicide relative to others. Businesses such as restaurants that encourage clientele to stay on the property tend to have more active forms of guardianship, such as waitstaff or bouncers, whereas off-site or takeaway businesses like gas stations have more passive surveillance measures such as video cameras in place. Further, the relationship between businesses and homicide might vary based on neighborhood characteristics, including disadvantage. Using negative binomial regression models, we predict the number of homicides across several different types of businesses, controlling for neighborhood factors. We find that both off-site and on-site businesses are associated with more homicides, but find limited evidence that the effects are worsened when these businesses are located in socially disorganized neighborhoods. This suggests that businesses associated with lower levels of guardianship may contribute to homicide, but do not alone explain the concentration of homicide in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

This study explores the role of gender in sentencing in Russian homicide cases, particularly the “female discount” phenomenon. We use regression analysis on a dataset of 20531 court decisions acquired via text mining techniques. Our research indicates that female defendants in Russia tend to receive more lenient sentences than their male counterparts do. Crimes against intimate partners and family members result in more lenient sentences than those against nonrelatives and strangers. The gender of the judge does not significantly influence the sentencing of female offenders; however, male judges are generally tougher on male defendants. The findings show that the “social costs theory” functions differently for male and female offenders.

The portrayal of offenders and crime is often viewed through the framing of news stories in traditional media. This shaping of crime to fit preconstructed perspectives can result in the spread of fear-based ideals. This study assesses use of fear-based media framing in serial homicide news articles. Taking a mixed methods approach, results suggest prolific use of fear-based framing methods, with six dominant fear-based themes identified. Fear-based frames of provoking, dehumanizing, magnifying, validating, and sensationalizing fear were found and a new frame, sanctifying fear, was identified. Variability among use of frames by offender characteristics were also assessed.

Extant research suggests that offenders use techniques of neutralization. Using qualitative analysis, we examine the presence or absence of techniques of neutralization among the population of persons sentenced to death for homicide in Texas during their last statement before execution between 1982 and 2022 ( N = 578) and how such techniques overlap with other emergent themes. Results indicate that only a small portion (25%) of those convicted of homicide justify their actions when faced with execution, while often simultaneously expressing gratitude or guilt.

This study provided a detailed description of the experiences of 60 treatment-seeking children and young people following parental intimate partner homicide (PIPH) in the United Kingdom, and evaluated the potential effectiveness of the traumatic grief focused cognitive behavioral therapy they received. A paired samples t-test showed that mean pre-and post-treatment posttraumatic stress scores decreased significantly, with a large effect size. Reliable change indices indicated that 75% improved and 25% remained unchanged. Despite the severe consequences for children and young people following PIPH and the great variability in their experiences, results promisingly show that they may benefit from treatment.