TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2020//
TI  - Trends and patterns in homicides in Italy: a 34-year descriptive study
JO  - Forensic science international
A1  - Vichi, Monica
A1  - Ghirini, Silvia
A1  - Roma, Paolo
A1  - Mandarelli, Gabriele
A1  - Pompili, Maurizio
A1  - Ferracuti, Stefano
SP  - e110141
EP  - e110141
VL  - 307
IS  - 
N2  - AIMS: We aimed at analyzing homicide trends and patterns in Italy over the period 1980-2014. <br><br>METHODS: We collected data from the Italian Mortality Database (Italian National Institute of Statistics), for the study period. Temporal trends were analyzed using joinpoint regression analysis, with estimated annual percentage change computed for each detected trend. The possible effect of the mafia subculture was examined using an indicator of mafia social penetration. Differences between age classes, genders, geographical regions, and homicide methods were also analyzed. <br><br>RESULTS: The analyses showed an overall reduction in homicides during the study period, including a reduction in homicides by firearm. Further, we found significant differences between homicides involving male and female victims. A peak in male homicides, observed in the early 1990s, was significantly associated with mafia penetration. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The overall reduction in homicides can be interpreted as an expression of a "civilizing process."<br><br>Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0379-0738
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110141
ID  - ref1
ER  -