A model for differentiating school shooters characteristics

Ioannou, Maria and Hammond, Laura and Simpson, Olivia (2015) A model for differentiating school shooters characteristics. Journal of Criminal Psychology, 5 (3). pp. 188-200. ISSN 2009-3829

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Abstract

Purpose
The current study aimed to explore the potential for developing a model for differentiating school shooters based on their characteristics (or risk factors) before the attack took place.

Design/methodology/approach
Data on forty school shootings was compiled from the National School Safety Center’s Report on School Associated Violent Deaths (SAVD) and media accounts. Content analysis of the cases produced a set of 18 variables relating to offenders’ characteristics (or risk factors). Data were subjected to Smallest Space Analysis (SSA), a non-metric multidimensional scaling procedure.

Findings
Results revealed three distinct themes: Disturbed School Shooter, Rejected School Shooter, and Criminal School Shooter. Further analysis identified links between these themes with the family background of the offender.

Research limitations/implications
These findings have both significant theoretical implications in our understanding of school shooters and the crime in general. They offer potential for practical applications in terms of prevention and intervention strategies. A key limitation relates to the quality of data.

Originality/Value
This is the first study to develop a model for differentiating school shooter characteristics

Keywords: School Shootings, Multidimensional Scaling, School Violence, Offender Characteristics

Item Type: Article
Identification Number: 10.1108/JCP-06-2015-0018
Dates:
Date
Event
29 September 2015
Accepted
Subjects: CAH04 - psychology > CAH04-01 - psychology > CAH04-01-01 - psychology (non-specific)
Divisions: Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > College of Psychology
Depositing User: Silvio Aldrovandi
Date Deposited: 27 Mar 2018 12:21
Last Modified: 11 Jun 2024 13:03
URI: https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/5763

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