Homicide in Italy: the results of press research in the period 1992-2004

Abstract

Goal of the present study is the analysis of trend and phenomenology of criminal homicide in Italy during the period 1992-2004.The research reviews the articles appeared in the previous mentioned period of time in one of the most important Italian newspapers (“Corriere della Sera”). The sample is represented by 3184 homicide cases, including 2858 authors and 3750 victims. The analysis of the socio-demographic characteristics of authors and victims, divided by gender, highlights that: a) males, both authors and victims, live more likely in the Southern part of the country or in the Islands; b) males (authors and victims) are more likely represented in the category of “never married” people; c) both authors and victims who are males are more likely within the labor market; d) males have more likely a previous criminal record. Homicides occur more frequently in the streets and/or in an open space (35,9%). In a fairly high percentage of cases, homicides occur in a house (the victim’s and/or author’s house) (31,8%).Homicides are more frequently perpetrated by the use of firearms, followed by knives and by asphyxia.The association between means of homicide and author’s sex is statistically significant: males use more likely firearms, while females use more frequently all the others means. In homicides cases where the author is known, the relationships between authors and victims has been divided into three main typologies: a) intra-family homicides (23,7%); b) homicides between acquaintances (36,5%); c) homicides between strangers (39,8%). As far as motivation is concerned, the research shows that mental illness is an important factor correlated with intra-family homicides; being a member of a criminal organization (Mafia,Terrorism) correlates with homicides between people who know each other or with homicides among strangers.