Abstract
This study employs a mixed methods approach, using quantitative analysis to discuss significant patterns, and qualitative analysis to provide descriptive accounts of homicide incidents. Seven hundred and five homicides that occurred in a northeastern city between January 1999 and December 2007 are examined to answer the following research question: Do the situated transactions of firearm homicides differ from those involving other weapons? The quantitative analyses found distinct patterns in offender intent, criminogenic tendencies, and situational attributes between firearm and other weapon homicides. The qualitative analysis revealed that firearms are most often utilized in homicides that can be understood as “doing crime,” where offenders and victims are engaged in a criminal lifestyle and firearms are an extension of this activity. Other weapons are associated with homicides concerned with “establishing moral order,” or defending values and ideals, between individuals who are intimate. The methodological and policy implication of these findings are discussed.
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Notes
Various steps were taken by the lead investigator to ensure that the protocol was used correctly by researchers. First, researchers were trained by the lead investigators of the study prior to data collection. The training involved introducing and familiarizing the coders to the codebook and the protocol. The lead investigator then had the coders observe the data collection process before collecting data themselves. Once the training was completed the lead investigator continuously oversaw the data collection, and conducted checks of the data, to ensure that the researchers were following proper protocol.
There are no significant differences related to weapon between the included and excluded incidents (Chi square = 2.227, p < .136). Of the excluded incidents, 24% were committed with another type of weapon, and 76% with a firearm. Of the included cases 22% were committed with another weapon type, and 78% with a firearm.
The high percentage of unknowns is attributable to open investigation cases where an offender was not identified during the study period. Specifically, of the 705 incidents, 444 (63%) have been cleared with the arrest of a perpetrator, while 261 (37%) remain open.
The data collection period spanned from March 2000 through October 2008, 10 months after the end of the study period. Since not all cases were resolved at the time of initial data collection, researchers reexamined open cases every 6 months to assess if an offender was identified and the investigation closed.
The majority of the cases excluded from the qualitative analyses remain uncleared and the offender has not been identified (i.e., 64%, 261 incidents of the excluded narratives).
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Jesenia M. Pizarro, Karen Holt, and Karissa R. Pelletier declares that they have no conflict of interest.
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All procedures followed were in accordance with ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000. Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.
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Pizarro, J.M., Holt, K. & Pelletier, K.R. An examination of the situated transactions of firearm homicides. J Behav Med 42, 613–625 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-019-00050-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-019-00050-3