Homicide

Homicide: Global and Historical Perspectives provides readers with an in-depth exploration of the complex subject of homicide from a variety of viewpoints, ranging from historical roots to contemporary global variations and beyond.

The book is structured into three key parts, beginning with an inquiry into the nature and study of homicide, providing foundational definitions, and methods for recording and understanding homicidal acts. This foundation is then extended to historical and contemporary examinations across various societies, comparing the behavior across time and space.

In the second part, the text delves into multifaceted explanations for homicide. Biological and psychological perspectives seek to identify the underlying individual causes of homicidal behavior, while microsocial and macrosocial theories examine how interactions, environmental influences, cultural norms, and social structures contribute to the phenomenon. This section furnishes readers with a comprehensive overview of the field's major theoretical frameworks and the complexities involved in explaining such deeply rooted social behavior.

The final section discusses unusual forms of homicide, such as mass and serial killings, organized homicide related to groups and collectives, and normative homicide, where the act is accepted or even celebrated under certain circumstances.

Homicide is ideal for foundational courses in criminology, sociology, and criminal justice.