Youth Violence Project - Juvenile Homicide

Juvenile Homicide

Juvenile Arrests for Homicide in the United States: 1993 to 2003
	According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reports, juvenile arrests for homicide declined dramatically after 1993, even though public fears of youth violence were skyrocketing.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime in the United States, 2003: Uniform Crime Reports.

Why did violent juvenile crime decline?

Violent juvenile crime declined for a number of reasons. The nation's economic improvement meant more jobs for young adults and single parents. Several improvements in law enforcement, such as community policing, a reduction in the crack cocaine market, and restrictions on youth gun access, helped reduce the amount of violent juvenile crime. Also, the massive increase in school and after-school programs allowed youth to participate in more constructive activities and stay off the streets.

Juvenile Arrests for Homicide: 1984-2003
	The rate of juvenile arrests for homicide rose steadily in the 1980's, before peaking in the early 1990's and beginning to decline to their present level.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime in the United States, 2003: Uniform Crime Reports.

Why did violent juvenile crime increase?

Violent juvenile crime increased for several reasons. Law enforcement authorities point to the introduction of crack cocaine and the accompanying crimes associated with drug sales and addiction. At the same time, the U.S. gun market was flooded with cheaper, but more lethal handguns that frequently found their way into the hands of juveniles. Juveniles were also likely affected by the prevalence of single-parent families and inadequate parental supervision after school. Finally, extensive research has shown the impact of media violence on the development of aggressive attitudes and behavior.

Murder Arrests by Age Group
	According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reports, homicide arrests in 2002 increased steadily throughout adolescence and peaked in young adulthood before slowly declining.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime in the United States, 2003: Uniform Crime Reports.

Juvenile Murder Arrests by Gender and Race 2002
	According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reports, male juvenile arrests for homicide were nearly nine times greater than for females. African American juvenile arrests for homicide were disproportiately high relative to Caucasian arrests. See our multicultural issues page for more information.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime in the United States, 2002: Uniform Crime Reports.

Homicide Rates for Selected Countries
	The United States has one of the highest rates of homicide in the world. Countries with rates higher than the U.S. include Mexico, Brazil, Estonia, Northern Ireland,Taiwan.

International Journal of Epidemiology, 27, 216 (1998).

Juvenile Homicide | Psychopathy & Violence | Juvenile Psychopathy Research | Multicultural Issues

Virginia Youth Violence Project, School of Education, University of Virginia
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