Criminal Violence Patterns, Explanations, and Interventions

by Riedel, Marc; Welsh, Wayne

• ISBN13: 9780199386130
• ISBN10: 0199386137
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2015-06-01
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Criminal Violence: Patterns, Explanations, and Prevention, Fourth Edition, provides a current, comprehensive, and highly accessible overview of major topics, theories, and controversies within the field of criminal violence.

Using engaging, straightforward language, Marc Riedel and Wayne Welsh consider diverse theoretical perspectives and present state-of-the-art prevention and intervention methods. In their discussions of various types of violence, the authors employ a consistent and coherent three-part framework that allows students to see the important relationships between research, theory, and application.

Author Biography

Marc Riedel is Professor of Sociology at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Wayne Welsh is Professor of Criminal Justice at Temple University.

Table of Contents

Preface
About the Authors

Section I: Introduction

Chapter 1. Violence and Criminal Violence

Defining Violence
Turning Violence into Criminal Violence
Perspectives on Criminal Violence
A Criminological Perspective
A Criminal Justice Perspective
Public Health Perspectives
How Is Criminal Violence Studied?
Theoretical Perspectives
Research Methods
Challenges of Violence Research
What Lies Ahead?
A Tripartite Approach to Understanding Violence
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
References

Section II: Tools

Chapter 2. Measures of Violence

The Application of Measures of Violence
Overview
Crime Rates
Uniform Crime Reports
Collecting Violent Crime Data
National Incident-Based Reporting System
Comparing the Uniform Crime Report and the National Crime Victimization Survey
National Crime Victimization Survey
The Redesign of the National Crime Victimization Survey
The National Crime Victimization Survey Today
Strengths and Limitations of the National Crime Victimization Survey
Limitations of the National Crime Victimization Survey
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
References

Chapter 3. Violence in Other Times and Places

Violence in the Early United States
White and Native American Warfare
The Trail of Tears
Slavery, African Americans, and Violence
Lynching
Social Banditry
Prohibition
The Role of Organized Crime
Contemporary Trends in Violence
Impersonalization of Homicide
Violence in Other Places
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
Note
References

Section III: Types of Criminal Violence

Chapter 4. Homicides and Assaults

Homicides and Assaults in the United States
Age, Gender, and Race
Other Characteristics
Arrest Clearances
Multiple Murders
Trends
Trends in Arrest Clearances
Trends in Serial Homicides
Explanations
Symbolic Interaction
Subcultural Theories
Explaining the Characteristics of Arrest Clearances
Explaining Serial Homicides
Interventions
Increasing Clearance Rates
Apprehending Serial Killers
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
References

Chapter 5. Robbery

Patterns and Trends
Explanations
Strain Theory and Differential Opportunity Theory
Control Theory
Differential Association Theory
Symbolic Interaction Theory
Feminist Theory
Routine Activities Theory
Interventions
Criminal Justice Approaches
Opportunity Reduction Strategies
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
Note
References

Chapter 6. Rapes and Sexual Assaults

Definitions
Patterns and Trends
Characteristics of Victims, Offenders, and Offenses
Explanations
Psychiatric Perspectives
Feminist Theories
Social Cognitive Theories
Multifactor Theories
Interventions
Rape Law Reform
Incarceration
Sex Offender Notification and Registration Laws
Victim Resistance
Victim Services
Sexual Violence Education
Sex Offender Treatment Programs
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
References

Chapter 7. Hate Crimes

Definitions
Patterns and Trends
Explanations
Group Conflict Theories
Strain Theory
Social Learning Theory
Interventions
Law Enforcement Responses
Hate Crime Legislation
Civil Lawsuits
Educational Strategies
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
References

Section IV: Violence in Specific Settings and Contexts

Chapter 8. Family Violence

"People Hit Family Members Because They Can"
Patterns and Risks
Intimate Partner Violence
Violence Toward Family Members
Trends
Intimate Partners
Child Killings
Explanations
Intimate Partner Violence
Violence Toward Children
Interventions
Reducing Intimate Partner Violence
Reducing Family Violence
Conclusion: Is It Time for Another Look?
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
References

Chapter 9. Workplace Violence

Introduction
Multiplier Effects
Patterns and Trends
Types of Workplace Violence
Nonfatal Workplace Violence
Workplace Homicide
"Going Postal"
Explanations
Routine Activities
Rational Choice: and Aggression in the Workplace
Interventions
Prevention Policies and Strategies
Empirical Evidence
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
References

Chapter 10. School Violence

Patterns and Trends
Fear and Avoidance
School Security Responses
School Incidents and Disciplinary Actions
Student Victimization
Teacher Victimization
Self-Reported School Violence
Explanations of School Disorder
Individual Explanations
School-Level theories
Community and Multilevel Explanations of School Disorder
Interventions
School-Based Violence Prevention: What Works?
The National Study of Delinquency Preventions in Schools
Examples of School-Based Prevention Programs
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
References

Chapter 11. Gangs and Gang Violence

Patterns and Trends
Growth and Change in Gangs
Gang Organization and Violence
Explanations
Strain Theories
Cultural Deviance
Social Control
Interactional Theory
Interventions
Reducing Gang Violence in Boston
Pulling Levers in Other Jurisdictions
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
References

Chapter 12. The Role of Firearms in Violence

Patterns and Trends
Crimes Involving Firearms
Victims
Characteristics of Offenders
Firearm Acquisition, Ownership, and Use
Explanations
Symbolic Interaction Theory
Routine Activities and Illegal Markets
Cultural Theories and Firearm Availability
Media Violence
Interventions
Disrupting Illegal Gun Markets
Gun Control Legislation
Right-to-Carry Laws
Firearm Injury Prevention Programs
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
Note
References

Chapter 13. The Role of Drugs and Alcohol in Violence

Patterns
Explanations
Biological and Psychological Effects
Routine Activities
Cultural Explanations
Structural Explanations
Situational Interventions
Interventions
Criminal Justice Approaches
Public Health Approaches
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
References

Chapter 14. Terrorism

Definitions
Patterns and Trends
A Brief History of Terrorism
State-Sponsored Terrorism.
Terrorist Tactics
Types of Terrorists .
Terrorist Incidents
Explanations
Strain Theory
Social Learning Theory
Conflict Theory
Interventions
The 9/11 Report
The Patriot Act
Military Action
Diplomacy and International Cooperation
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
References

Section V: Conclusion

Chapter 15. Prevention and Punishment: A Delicate Balance

Criminal Justice Approaches
Criminal Justice Goals
The Death Penalty .
Three Strikes Laws
The Limits of Punishment
Public Health Approaches to Punishment and Prevention
The Multilevel Risk Approach
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Comprehensive Strategy for Serious, Violent, and Chronic Juvenile Offenders
Community Based Approaches
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development
When Violent Crime Goes Down, Do We Know Why?
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
References

Author Index
Subject Index