Aging and homicide rates

J Forensic Sci. 2000 Mar;45(2):390-1.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aging*
  • Forensic Psychiatry
  • Homicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Violence