Young killers

by Kathleen M. Heide

In Young Killers Kathleen M. Heide, a criminologist and a licensed mental health professional, blends compelling case studies with a scientific study of male adolescent murderers. This book explores more than a dozen factors that have contributed to the rise of juvenile homicide since the mid 1980s. These factors often interact with certain personality characteristics and biological influences, causing many youths to conclude that they have little or nothing to lose by engaging in reckless and destructive acts. Although this book focuses mainly on boys who kill, Dr. Heide also discusses the increasing number of girls arrested for murder and examines gender issues in juvenile homicide. Professor Heide addresses the legal response to juvenile murders, psychological assessment, treatment issues, and prevention strategies aimed at reducing the incidence of juvenile homicide.