A Time Trend Study of Swedish Male and Female Homicide Offenders from 1990 to 2010

ABSTRACT

Homicide committed by female offenders is an understudied phenomenon. This study examines whether incidence rates of male-perpetrated and female-perpetrated homicide have changed from 1990 to 2010, and investigates similarities and differences between male and female homicide offenders, by examining a dataset comprising all cases of homicide in Sweden (N = 1,570). The results indicate a decline in the incidence of both male-perpetrated and female-perpetrated homicide during the observed period, as well as stable proportions of female offenders. There were also pronounced differences between male and female homicide offenders with adult victims: victims of female offenders were more often male, intimate partners, intoxicated at the time of the offense, and killed by sharp force injuries. Previous violence between victim and offender was also more common in cases with female offenders, and they committed homicide-suicide less often. There were less pronounced differences between male and female homicide offenders with child victims, but female offenders more often used asphyxia and less often had previous convictions. It can be concluded that incidence rates for male-perpetrated and female-perpetrated homicide have decreased in Sweden, and that male and female offenders with child victims are more similar than male and female offenders with adult victims.

KEYWORDS:

• Homicide
• female offender
• adult victims
• child victims
• time trend
• gender differences

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Thomas Masterman, Ph.D. for comments on previous versions of this paper. We would also thank The National Board of Forensic Medicine who provided research time to KT and JS.