Alcohol and drug problems among Australian homicide offenders
Corresponding Author
Li Eriksson
Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, QLD Australia
Correspondence to: Li Eriksson, Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]Contribution: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Resources, Supervision, Validation, Visualization
Search for more papers by this authorSarah Bryant
Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD Australia
Contribution: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Methodology, Visualization
Search for more papers by this authorSamara McPhedran
Pro-Vice Chancellor's (Arts, Education, Law) Office, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, QLD Australia
Contribution: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Methodology, Project administration, Supervision, Validation, Visualization
Search for more papers by this authorPaul Mazerolle
Vice-Chancellor's Office, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Contribution: Conceptualization, Data curation, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Project administration, Resources, Validation, Visualization
Search for more papers by this authorRichard Wortley
Jill Dando Institute for Security and Crime Science, University College London, London, UK
Contribution: Conceptualization, Data curation, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Project administration, Resources, Validation, Visualization
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Li Eriksson
Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, QLD Australia
Correspondence to: Li Eriksson, Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]Contribution: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Resources, Supervision, Validation, Visualization
Search for more papers by this authorSarah Bryant
Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD Australia
Contribution: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Methodology, Visualization
Search for more papers by this authorSamara McPhedran
Pro-Vice Chancellor's (Arts, Education, Law) Office, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, QLD Australia
Contribution: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Methodology, Project administration, Supervision, Validation, Visualization
Search for more papers by this authorPaul Mazerolle
Vice-Chancellor's Office, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Contribution: Conceptualization, Data curation, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Project administration, Resources, Validation, Visualization
Search for more papers by this authorRichard Wortley
Jill Dando Institute for Security and Crime Science, University College London, London, UK
Contribution: Conceptualization, Data curation, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Project administration, Resources, Validation, Visualization
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Background and Aims
Most homicide studies focus upon ‘acute’ situational intoxication as opposed to ‘chronic’ substance misuse. The aims of the study were to: (1) determine the extent of homicide offenders’ alcohol and drug use in the year preceding the homicide; (2) compare the individual characteristics of homicide offenders across levels of problematic substance use; and (3) compare homicide incident characteristics across levels of problematic substance use.
Design and Setting
Observational study using data collected through face-to-face interviews in custodial and community correctional settings across Australia. Participants were recruited through an opt-in process.
Participants
The data consist of 302 individuals convicted of murder or manslaughter.
Measurements
We used the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test and Drug Abuse Screening Test to determine problematic alcohol or drug use. We also used a range of self-report measures to ascertain offender characteristics [socio-demographics, developmental experiences, criminal history, personality] and incident characteristics (who was killed, and situational intoxication).
Findings
Of the sample, 38.8% displayed high levels of alcohol problems and 30.8% displayed high levels of drug problems. Those displaying high levels of alcohol and/or drug problems were more likely than those without high levels of alcohol and/or drug problems to report adverse developmental experiences, low education, financial difficulties, extensive criminal histories and high levels of trait anger, impulsivity and risk-seeking. In addition, offenders with problematic substance use were more likely to have killed non-family and to have used substances at the time of the homicide.
Conclusions
High proportions of homicide offenders in Australia appear to have problematic substance use in the year preceding the homicide offence, and such use appears to be associated with a range of other challenging factors, including adverse childhoods, criminal involvement, low socio-economic factors and low self-regulation.
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