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17 Crim. Just. & Behavior 420 (1990)
Circumstances Surrounding Homicides by Older Offenders

handle is hein.journals/crmjusbhv17 and id is 405 raw text is: CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING HOMICIDES BY OLDER OFFENDERS PETER C. KRATCOSKI Kent State University This article reports the findings of an extensive study of nonjustifiable homicides committed by persons age 60 or older in three large American cities. The relationship between victim and assailant (spouse, relative, or acquaintance) and the circumstances surrounding the homicide event, including location, situation leading up to the assault, use of alcohol or drugs by either the victim or assailant immediately before the incident, and mode of assault or weapon used, are described. Analysis of the homicide-suicide phenomenon is also included. Of particular interest is the fact that all homicide-suicide incidents reported involved a suicide by a husband after murder of his wife. A s the graying of America continues, with an ever increasing percentage of the U.S. population comprising elderly persons, the problem of criminal activity by those age 60 and older will take on increased importance. This phenomenon poses dilemmas far be- yond the apprehension of offenders and the prosecution and dispo- sition of their cases. Mental health professionals must explore the possibility that elderly persons may suffer from organically based disorders that reduce their culpability or from personality disorders that have intensified with age. Lawyers and judges, in addition to taking into account the possibility of diminished mental capacity when dealing with elderly offenders, must consider the ramifications of dispositions which might be routinely given for certain offenses. A sizable fine imposed on a person dependent on a small income from AUTHOR'S NOTE: The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of both Ann Goetting, who collected the Detroit, Michigan portion of the sample, and Dr. Donald B. Walker, who assisted in the case analysis. CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR, Vol. 17 No. 4, December 1990 420-430 © 1990 American Association for Correctional Psychology 420 from the SAGE Social Science Collections. All Rights Reserved.

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