Looking Forward and Backward in Records for Risks among Homicidal Youth
To identify risks for commission of homicide, 26 convicted Homicidal Youth ( M age =14.9 yr., SD =1.4; n = 26; 1 girl, 25 boys) were matched with 26 Nonviolent Delinquents and 26 clinic-referred Controls. Youth were tracked backward 8 years ( M = 7.7 yr., SD =1.5) and forward 3 years ( M = 3.1 yr., SD =1.2) in records. Data analysis was Shao's bootstrapped logistic regression yielding area under the curve ( AUC) and odds ratios ( OR). Predictors of homicide were poorer executive function ( OR = 7.04e+40), violent family ( OR = 4.01e−16), and alcohol abuse ( OR = 7.33e−17; AUC=.97, 95% CI = .77−.99). From earlier studies, 101 Homicidal Youth and their Controls were reanalyzed similarly. Predictors were poorer executive function ( OR = 6.51), lower social maturity ( OR = 0.28), weapon possession ( OR = 26.10), and gang membership ( OR = 4.14; AUC= .98, 95% CI = .96−.99). Groups were combined, i.e., 26 and 101 Homicidal; 127 Homicidal Youth (7 girls, 120 boys) and their matched Controis were tracked in records. The predictor was poorer executive function ( OR= 3.34e−21; AUC = .98, 95% CI = .96−.97). When 127 Homicidal Youth were compared with 127 matched Nonviolent Delinquents, predictors were poorer executive function ( OR = 2.83e–02), weapon possession ( OR = 1.63e−10), lower social maturity ( OR= 1.15), and use of special education services ( OR = .94; AUC= .94, 95% CI= .37−.99).