Comparing child and adult sexual homicides in Australia and New Zealand: A retrospective study.

Autor: Ricono-Kaufhold S; Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands., Czarnietzki M; Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands., Darjee R; School of Health Science, Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Alphington, Victoria, Australia., Brooks N; Behavioural Science Unit, New Zealand Police, Auckland, New Zealand.; College of Psychology, School of Health, Medical, and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia., Nanev A; School of Health Science, Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Alphington, Victoria, Australia., Davis MR; School of Health Science, Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Alphington, Victoria, Australia.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Behavioral sciences & the law [Behav Sci Law] 2024 Jul-Aug; Vol. 42 (4), pp. 435-460. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 May 27.
DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2665
Abstrakt: The present study examined distinctions between child (n = 30) and adult (n = 212) sexual homicide offenders (SHOs) in Australia and New Zealand, contributing to the limited international research on the subject. Data, primarily sourced from judges' sentencing comments on AustLII and New Zealand Legal Information Institute, revealed significant differences. Child SHOs displayed elevated rates of pedophilia, sexual deviance, and adverse childhood experiences, including sexual abuse. They were more likely to be married, cohabitate, and target familial victims. Their crimes were more often committed during daylight and outdoors, involving tactics such as victim conning, restraints, strangulation, and hiding victim's bodies. No significant group differences emerged regarding offenders' psychopathy or sexual sadism scores. Results were interpreted in line with child SHOs' deviant sexual preferences and the routine activity theory. The study, as the first investigating child sexual homicides in Australia and New Zealand, sets the foundation for an evidence-based approach to policy and practice.
(© 2024 The Author(s). Behavioral Sciences & The Law published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
Databáze: MEDLINE