An analysis of homicide by young persons in England and Wales

An analysis of 11 children (one girl, 10 boys) convicted of homicide indicates a maternal over-dominant relationship in eight of the males studied. The murderers were found to have more cooperative personalities than other children found guilty of non-capital offences and showed both normal intelligence and personality factors. Despite a history of "blackouts" in several cases, all were found on investigation to be free from both major and minor epilepsy. Difficulty was experienced in determining the presence or absence of parental alcoholism, promiscuity, and criminal convictions. All of the children came from normal homes and apart from minor offences none had been involved previously in serious antisocial behaviour. Future research is indicated on two aspects: (a) Role of the working mother with particular reference to maternal dominance and (b) The "Cycle of Deprivation" theory.