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This article links late Neoliberal Financialized Capitalism (NFC) with biopolitics, identity crises, and emerging death cults. It is argued that late NFC entails spreading violence in state and society, increasing premature and violent deaths in growing subcultures. Individualistic ideologies—which lower social strata now embrace as enabling myths—suggest renewed celebration of struggle for survival and death cults. From an institutionalist perspective, the regressive institutional change increases the predominance of ceremonial values and habits, which indicates a "triumph of imbecile institutions over life and culture" (Veblen, Thorstein B., The Instinct of Workmanship). Contemporary death cults convert violent dying into a consumable merchandise and a form of entertainment. We illustrate the normalization of violent death in the popular youth culture of Mexico's drug trafficking industry. Its musical genre, known as corridos sanguinarios, songs of blood, is analyzed. Our results show manifold ambivalences of contemporary death cults between social compliance and revolt, which may deepen our understanding of the socioeconomic, institutional, and political future under late NFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last 25 years, a number of concepts that broadly centre on human suffering, conflict, and death have developed and proliferated in heritage studies. As a 'trauma and truth telling' discourse is embraced globally, there is a marked increase in the recognition of heritage connected to trauma, suffering and tragedy. Yet, despite the breadth and depth of research in this space, psychological trauma has been largely unexamined in the field of heritage studies. Therefore in this interdisciplinary paper, we ask: what is trauma? What is the relationship between trauma and heritage? And what does it mean to be trauma-informed? We introduce the concept of trauma-informed heritage (TIH) and suggest that heritage connected to traumatic events can be conceived as trauma-heritage (TH). Together, the TIH and TH concepts shine a light on heritage connected to trauma, which is multiplex and multiscalar. We offer this framework to better acknowledge and understand trauma and critically explore the relationships between trauma and heritage. This frame will provide awareness of the impact of trauma on people in the wake of traumatic events and help mitigate the risk of re-traumatising, now and for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The objective of this study was to compare jealousy as a correlate of intimate partner homicide‐suicide cases to homicide‐only cases using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), a state‐based surveillance system maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jealousy is categorized as jealous feelings or distress over a current or former intimate partner's relationship or suspected relationship with another person. Methods: NVDRS data from a 5‐year period (2016–2020) was used to estimate frequencies and identify significant differences in jealousy and other sociodemographic, mental health, relationship, and incident‐related correlates of intimate partner homicide‐suicide compared to homicide‐only cases. Cases were included if they involved an intimate partner single homicide or a single homicide followed by suicide. Results: The study sample included 5335 cases (intimate partner homicide‐suicide n = 1402; homicide‐only n = 3933). A significantly higher percentage of intimate partner homicide‐suicide cases reported jealousy preceding the event (9%) compared to homicide‐only cases (6%). Compared with homicide‐only cases, homicide‐suicide cases had 3.5 greater odds of recording jealousy as a precipitating event. Conclusion: Findings suggest that intimate partner homicide‐suicide cases are distinct from homicide‐only cases both in terms of individual‐ and incident‐level and situational factors, including the presence of jealousy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jeffrey Alexander's social theory about trauma provides a theoretical framework to explore Matthew's Gospel's two first chapters as a trauma narrative that wrestles in a creative way with at least two significant issues for its original audience: (1) How can Jesus be the Christ/Messiah and yet undergo a shameful and violent death? (2) What are the national and theological implications of the destruction of the Temple in AD 70? Alexander's four dimensions of representations of cultural trauma (the nature of the pain; the nature of the victim; the relation of the trauma victim to a wider audience; and the attribution of responsibility) guide the analysis. Matthew 1–2, as a trauma narrative, processes past trauma to encourage resilience against future traumatization. This can be a powerful tool to shape identity and promote solidarity by opening new avenues for understanding violent imagery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CDC has called for suicide research on the construction industry, an industry with a high suicide rate. The present study addresses this gap and focuses on roofers. It assesses which risk factors distinguish suicides by roofers from those of the general population. Alcohol and drug misuse, related to their high incidence of injury and pain, are seen as key potential drivers of roofer suicide. Data refer to 30,570 suicides and are taken from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). Drawing from previous work on the health professions, 15 core predictors are selected, representing psychiatric morbidity, social strains, and demographics. Since the analysis seeks to differentiate roofers' suicides from others, the dependent variable is a dichotomy where roofers' suicides (=1) and other suicides (=0). After adjusting for the other 14 risk factors, a multivariate logistic regression analysis found that roofers' suicides were 76% more apt (Odds ratio = 1.76, CI: 1.18, 2.63) than other suicides to have a known substance or alcohol problem that contributed to their suicide. Other constructs differentiating roofers' suicides from other suicides included marital status, gender, and race. Roofers were less protected by marriage. The results inform prevention efforts and substance misuse can serve as a key warning sign for roofers' suicide. This is the first investigation of the drivers of suicide among roofers, and one of a few drawing links between occupational injury and suicide. Roofers' suicides are linked to a high occupational injury rate. A high injury rate is associated with a high incidence of pain. Substance abuse is a way of coping with pain and increases suicide risk. Roofers' suicides were 76% more likely than other suicides to involve substance misuse. Substance misuse is a key warning sign for suicide prevention among roofers. Roofers' suicides are marked by relatively weak ties to marital integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sexual orientation of youth who die by suicide in the United States is usually unknown. This study assessed how observed patterns of unknown sexual orientation are likely to affect research findings. We analyzed the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) Restricted Access Dataset to assess whether sexual orientation among youth suicide decedents is disproportionately known for different demographics. We then assessed the degree to which estimated sexual minority rates would be affected if researchers were to assume either (a) that sexual orientation data is missing completely at random, or (b) that orientation information is missing at random after accounting for observed demographic patterns. <10% of the sample had known sexual orientation. Sexual orientation was more frequently known for females, white people, and older people, and missingness varied by geography. The choice between modeling the data as missing completely at random versus at random conditional upon demographics had a > 2-fold impact on estimated sexual minority rates among youth suicide decedents. Research on sexual orientation and youth suicide is strongly impacted by how researchers account (or do not account) for missingness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the contribution of firearms to pregnancy-associated mortality from homicide and suicide. This was a retrospective cohort study using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Violent Death Reporting System from 2008 to 2019. Women aged 15–44 years who died by suicide (intentional self-harm) and homicide where a firearm was involved were included. Persons without known pregnancy status were excluded. Pregnancy-associated deaths were defined as those that occurred during pregnancy or within 1 year of pregnancy (early and late postpartum). Sociodemographic characteristics and social and circumstantial differences were compared between pregnancy-associated and nonpregnant-associated deaths. Data analysis was conducted in 2022–2023. A total of 1,803 homicide and 1,929 suicide deaths from firearms were included. Twenty-two percent (n =388) and 11% (n =212) of firearm homicides and suicides, respectively, were pregnancy associated. Victims of pregnancy associated homicide were predominantly Black (54.8%), were single (76%), and had high school diploma or equivalent degree (41.2%). Victims of pregnancy-associated suicide were predominantly White (80.5%). Among pregnancy-associated homicides and suicides, deaths occurred more frequently during pregnancy (63.4% and 40.3%). Pregnancy-associated homicides more frequently occurred in the victim's home than nonpregnancy-associated homicides (51.5% vs 46.7%, p =0.02) and was related to ongoing conflict or violence between a current or former partner (61.6% vs 51.9%, p <0.001). Pregnancy-associated suicides more frequently occurred in those who experienced intimate partner violence within a month of death than non-pregnancy-associated suicide (4.2% vs 1.3%, p =0.005). Although there are differences in demographic characteristics between victims, interpersonal violence is associated with both pregnancy-associated homicides and suicides where a firearm was involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Voces y Silencios is the property of Universidad de los Andes and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

One of the most intriguing periods of Egyptian history, associated with the spread of Christianity, is still poorly understood. Recent excavations shed more light on this process. During excavations conducted by the Centre of Egyptological Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the Deir el-Banat necropolis in the Fayum an unusual burial was discovered. It contained the remains of a young man who had been subjected to a cruel punishment: an arrow had been shot into his body and he was hanged by the neck. According to the tomb's inventory and the shrouds found in the grave, the man lived in the fourth century AD, when the persecution of Christians by Roman authorities was particularly virulent. Although it is currently impossible to clearly determine the cause of such a severe violent death, some findings suggest that the execution was caused by religious conflicts. If so, this case is a rare illustration of the death penalty on religious grounds imposed on the ordinary inhabitants of the oasis during Roman rule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health disparities in the Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIAs) community have not been well described, unlike non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic communities. However, there has been a rise in violence against the APIA community. This study explores and characterizes violent death by incident (e.g., homicide, suicide), weapon (e.g., firearm, strangulation), and location types among APIAs as they compare with other racial or ethnic groups. We used the National Violent Death Reporting System from 2003 to 2018 to characterize violent deaths among APIA and compared them to all other races. We compared these racial categories in two ways. First, we compared all races as a categorical variable that included six non-Hispanic racial categories including "Other or unspecified" and "two or more races. We then created a binary variable of APIA versus All Other Races for analysis. We explored the incident type of death, substance abuse disorders, mental health history, and gang involvement among other variables. We used Chi-square tests for categorical variables and Mann–Whitney U-tests for continuous variables. Overall, APIAs had a unique pattern of violent death. APIAs were more likely to commit suicide (71.74%-62.21%, P <0.001) and less likely to die of homicide than other races (17.56%-24.31%, P <0.001). In the cases of homicide, APIAs were more likely to have their deaths precipitated by another crime (40.87% versus 27.87%, P < 0.001). APIAs were more than twice as likely to die of strangulation than other races (39.93%-18.06%, P <0.001). Conversely, APIAs were less likely to die by firearm than other races (29.69-51.51, P <0.001). APIAs have a unique pattern of violence based on analysis of data from the National Violent Death Reporting System. Our data reveal a significant difference in the incident, weapon and location type as compared to Americans of other races, which begs further inquiry into the patterns of change in time and factors that contribute to inter-racial differences in death patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute alcohol intoxication is a contributing factor in firearm-involved suicides. However, knowledge of the relationship between alcohol intoxication and firearm-involved suicide by age and sex (defined herein as the biological sex of the decedent) is limited. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the sex- and age group-specific relationship between alcohol intoxication and firearm-involved suicide. Data from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003–2020, on suicide decedents (18+ years of age) were utilized. Age-group- and sex-specific multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Statistical analyses were performed in 2023. Alcohol intoxication (i.e., having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 g/dL or more) was significantly associated with using a firearm as the method of suicide for young (18–34 years; relative risk (RR)=1.31, 95% CI: 1.22–1.40) and middle-aged (35–64 years; RR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.27–1.39) females but not among older females (65+ years; RR=1.01, 95% CI: 0.87–1.17). Among males, the association was significant for all age-groups (young: RR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.25–1.30; middle-aged: RR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.15–1.19; and older: RR=1.04, 95% CI: 1.01–1.07). Among males of all ages and young and middle-aged females, alcohol intoxication was associated with increased risk of suicide by firearm—an extremely lethal method that accounts for a majority of suicides in the U.S.—compared to their non-intoxicated counterparts. Interventions targeting excessive alcohol consumption may be effective in reducing suicide mortality rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensic microbiology is a relatively new discipline, born in part thanks to the development of advanced methodologies for the detection, identification and characterization of microorganisms, and also in relation to the growing impact of infectious diseases of iatrogenic origin. Indeed, the increased application of medical practices, such as transplants, which require immunosuppressive treatments, and the growing demand for prosthetic installations, associated with an increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance, have led to a rise in the number of infections of iatrogenic origin, which entails important medico-legal issues. On the other hand, the possibility of detecting minimal amounts of microorganisms, even in the form of residual traces (e.g., their nucleic acids), and of obtaining gene and genomic sequences at contained costs, has made it possible to ask new questions of whether cases of death or illness might have a microbiological origin, with the possibility of also tracing the origin of the microorganisms involved and reconstructing the chain of contagion. In addition to the more obvious applications, such as those mentioned above related to the origin of iatrogenic infections, or to possible cases of infections not properly diagnosed and treated, a less obvious application of forensic microbiology concerns its use in cases of violence or violent death, where the characterization of the microorganisms can contribute to the reconstruction of the case. Finally, paleomicrobiology, e.g., the reconstruction and characterization of microorganisms in historical or even archaeological remnants, can be considered as a sister discipline of forensic microbiology. In this article, we will review these different aspects and applications of forensic microbiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the well-established link between firearm access and suicide, less is known about other variables that may influence the risk for death by self-inflicted gunshot versus other methods of suicide. As individual factors have demonstrated limited predictive ability, scholars have called for studies that consider the multifaceted relations between myriad variables. One alternative to the typical cause-and-effect approach for investigating various forms of psychopathology is network analysis. However, few studies have applied this method to suicidal outcomes, particularly in the context of a veteran population. Data from 19,234 male veteran suicide decedents (89.1% White; Mage = 57.16, SD = 18.64) acquired from the National Violent Death Reporting System were used to investigate characteristics of veteran suicide decedents who died by self-inflicted gunshot (gun; 66.4%) versus alternative methods (nongun, e.g., poisoning, hanging; 33.5%). Results of the overall moderated network model indicated that veterans in the gun group were more likely to have a physical health problem that contributed to the suicide than veterans in the nongun group. Additionally, results of the moderated network model revealed several pairs of associated circumstances whose relationships were significantly moderated by method of suicide, the three strongest of which included having a physical health problem that contributed to the suicide. Overall, results suggest that public health prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing the overall burden of physical health problems among male veterans may mitigate the risk of firearm suicides. General Scientific Summary: Despite the well-established link between firearm access and suicide, less is known about other variables that may influence the risk for death by self-inflicted gunshot. Results of this study highlight the proximal and interactive role of physical health problems on firearm suicide as opposed to suicide by another method. Prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing the overall burden of physical health problems may mitigate the risk of firearm suicides among male veterans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Suicide by sodium nitrite may be an emerging trend in the United States. Our mixed‐methods study aims to: (1) describe the rates of suicides secondary to sodium nitrite self‐poisoning in the United States between 2018 and 2020 and (2) characterize the use of sodium nitrite as a suicide method. Methods: Using NVDRS data, descriptive statistics, population‐based incident rates/year and incidence estimates across 50 states were calculated. An inductive thematic analysis characterized the use of sodium nitrite as a suicide method on review of medical examiner and law enforcement reports. Results: 260 incidents were identified as suicides secondary to self‐poisoning with sodium nitrite/nitrate across 37 states and 1 territory—69% of which occurred in 2020. The typical victim was a white male student with a known depressive disorder and a history of suicidal thoughts (n = 120). The annual suicide rate using sodium nitrite increased from 0.01–0.09/100,000 person‐years over the three‐year period. Online forums were used to share knowledge on the procurement and preparation of sodium nitrite poisoning. Conclusions: Sodium nitrite self‐poisoning is an increasingly used planned suicide method among young people. Further studies are required to identify the impact of means safety interventions on the incidence of sodium nitrite self‐poisoning incidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., and firearms are one of the most lethal methods of suicide. This study examines personal and contextual factors that predict suicide with a firearm compared to other methods across stages of adulthood. Methods: Data on adult suicide decedents from 2009 to 2019 were obtained from Colorado's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) data (N = 11,512). The dataset includes incident and person characteristics collected by law enforcement and coroners. Zip code level data were integrated from the American Community Survey. Results: Age, sex, race, marital status, military service, substance use, suicide attempt history, mental health, and location characteristics (population density, as well as age, education, veteran status, and household status of population) predicted suicide by firearm. Risk was particularly high for males in older adulthood. We further explored age‐specific models (young, middle‐aged, and older adults) to determine salient risk factors for each group. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for comprehensive suicide prevention approaches that consider both individual and contextual risk factors, as well as unique risks in each stage of adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One in five fatal police shooting victims may have been experiencing a mental health crisis (MHC) at the time of their death [1]. We use data on fatal police shootings from the National Violent Death Reporting System (2014–2015) to (a) identify incidents where the victim is reported to have experienced an MHC at the time of their death, (b) describe the characteristics of these incidents, and (c) compare the characteristics of MHC to fatal police shootings where the victim was not experiencing an MHC at the time of their death. We systematically coded 633 fatal police shootings from 27 states. Descriptive statistics characterized fatal police shootings, including victim characteristics; their mental health status; and contextual information regarding the police encounter (e.g., reason for police call). Overall, 203 of 633 fatal police encounters (32%) involved victims who showed signs of an MHC at the time of their death. Victims were predominantly white, male, and in possession of a firearm. In 3 of 4 cases, the MHC manifested as suicidal ideation despite any relevant documented history among most victims. Among half of suicidal victims, suicidal ideation was expressed verbally and in-person to a family member/intimate partner who subsequently called the police. Dispatch was aware of the MHC in 1 of 4 of total police calls. Overall, fatal police encounters involving those experiencing an MHC accounted for 1 in 3 of our caseloads. Approximately, 3 of 4 mental health calls involved a suicidal person who mainly expressed intent to a loved one in-person. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

According to most interpreters, Aristotle explains death as the result of material processes of the body going against the nature of the living being. Yet, this description is incomplete, for it does not clarify the relationship between the process of decay and the teleological system in which it occurs: this makes it impossible to distinguish between natural and violent death. In this paper, I try to fill this gap by looking at his so-called 'biological works' and mainly at the De Juventute. I first introduce the specific concept of life at play in this treatise and prove its complementarity with the framework of the De Anima. Then, I illustrate in detail the process of dying and the reasons why a merely material description is insufficient to account for the distinction between natural and violent death. Finally, I show that for Aristotle natural death is a by-product of teleologically directed life activities: only against the background of this teleological structure is natural death fully explained in terms of essence and causes. To support this claim, I compare death to two analogous cases in Aristotle's biology, namely dreams and the features of GA V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on homicide patterns and trends in Europe and beyond, based on data from the European Homicide Monitor (EHM). Topics include the need for improvements in data collection and analytic approaches for cross-national homicide research, a comparative study on homicides in Finland and South Africa, and the trend of firearm-related homicides in Sweden.

Homicide is a prevalent cause of death among sex workers, given their increased risk of violence due to proximity to criminal activities such as drug trade and human trafficking. This study analyzes homicide data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) covering 49 US states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico from 2012 to 2020. Case inclusion criteria included: (1) manner of death of homicide, and (2) sex work‐related circumstance. Descriptive analyses examined victim and injury characteristics, suspect information, and circumstances. The study identified 321 sex work‐related homicides (54% female, 41% male, 6% transgender). Among female victims, 94% were sex workers, and 54% of their suspects were clients. Money conflicts (23%) and other crimes (30%), most often in progress, commonly precipitated homicides of female victims. Substance use problems were reported in 49% of female victims, with 25% of their suspected perpetrators reportedly using substances in the preceding hours. For male victims, 54% were clients and 9% were sex workers. Suspects in male homicides were primarily sex workers (34%) or individuals engaged in sex work‐adjacent criminal activities (36%). Money conflicts (49%), other crimes (47%) most often in progress, and sex trafficking involvement (25%) commonly precipitated homicides with male victims. Transgender sex worker victims were mostly transfeminine (94%) and non‐Hispanic black (89%). Money conflicts (78%) most commonly precipitated homicides among transgender sex worker victims. These findings can inform prevention strategies addressing underlying risk factors for persons involved in sex work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the South African Departments of Basic and Higher Education have been besieged by shocking forms of physical, verbal (including hate speech), psychological, sexual and socioeconomic violence. Although this has been a worrisome phenomenon dating back to time immemorial, of late, violence is increasing at a very concerning and alarming level. The profusion of violence serves as an indictment to various stakeholders, including the current government, which seems to have done very little, if anything, to mitigate the issue. Several media houses and numerous media platforms have tracked violence that has advanced to gruesome killings of learners and teachers alike at learning institutions on a daily basis. Very often, societies wake up to new and traumatising experiences that have since endorsed schools and higher education institutions as war zones where bloodbaths have become commonplace. The study sought to highlight the extent to which violence has ravaged schools, colleges and universities. The study drew its data from a qualitative content analysis of online newspaper articles and social media news. After tracing different versions of physical and sexual forms of violence experienced at the aforementioned institutions, the study established that institutions are experiencing a deluge of violent incidents. Several institutions have lost educators, principals, support staff and students through violent death. The study further suggests ways in which violence could be mitigated at learning institutions. Active stakeholder involvement, reskilling of teachers in handling 21st-century learners/students and the introduction of modules on teachers' soft skills in dealing with recalcitrant learners are some of the recommendations that result from the findings of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special issue of the Asia Pacific Economic History Review explores the impact of colonisation on Indigenous populations across the Pacific and American West from the late eighteenth to the early twentieth century. Three of the contributing articles examine ways of modelling Indigeous populations at point of contact and the scale and pace of subsequent declines. A further two explore the problematics of counting violent deaths on the frontier and reconstructing the factors motivating settler aggression. The last article examines the impact of colonisation on sex ratios and the implications of this for marriage rates between and within different ethnicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the beginning of the Iraq war, in March of 2003, to the present day, controversy has swirled around the death toll of the war. This paper narrows down the range of uncertainty for the numbers and trends in violent deaths in the war. I assemble and appraise all primary sources that cover the period from March of 2003 onwards—six sample surveys plus a casualty recording project (Iraq Body Count [IBC]). Data permitting, I present cumulative monthly figures with, for the surveys, 95% bootstrapped uncertainty intervals. The analysis uncovers a core of high-quality mainstream sources that are highly consistent with each another. In addition, there are three outlier surveys that are compromised by serious flaws and produce estimates far outside the mainstream. Discarding the outlying and flawed surveys reveals a clear picture of the violent death toll from the Iraq war. IBC figures, extended to include combatants, occupy a central position within the mainstream range of estimates. The strong consistency across the high-quality sources provides a rare validation of three war-death-measurement methodologies—household-based surveys, sibling-based surveys, and casualty recording. Methodological success notwithstanding, we must transcend the numbers to truly comprehend the human costs of the war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic Violence Fatality Reviews/Domestic Homicide Reviews (DVFRs/DHRs) are multi-agency reviews aimed at reducing domestic homicides. This study systematically reviews research that examines DVFR/DHR recommendations, impact of these recommendations and proposals for improving DVFR/DHR processes. A narrative synthesis was adopted due to the diversity of the 11 studies reviewed. Themes identified from recommendations included: training and awareness; service provision and coordination; and recommendations for children. Regarding DVFR/DHR processes, standardization, diverse teams, and additional resources were highlighted. There was little evidence of whether DVFR/DHR recommendations were implemented. Findings can strengthen DVFR/DHR operationalization and impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Bridge the gap between feminist scholarship and sociological literature on gun utility by examining the correlates of gun usage in heterosexual intimate partner homicide by offender gender. Methods: Using data on 7,588 incidents from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) from 2003 to 2018, logistic regression models examined the odds of using a firearm during intimate partner homicide for both male and female offenders. Results: Men disproportionately employed guns to regain control when their dominance and/or masculinity was threatened, whereas women used firearms in self-defense against an armed partner. Conclusions: The results suggest that gender-based motivations distinguish whether or not a firearm is used in intimate partner homicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lives of people in conflict areas are often characterized by the experience of traumatic events frequently accompanied by loss and separation. These can equally trigger symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complicated grief (CG). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether affected individuals could be assigned to distinct classes at symptom‐cluster levels of these two disorders. Moreover, we aimed to identify event‐related and sociodemographic predictors associated with membership in these pathological classes. Participants were Iraqi internally displaced persons (IDPs; N = 199) who fled their hometowns due to the ISIS conflict and reported having lost an important person within the past 5 years. Based on the PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5) and Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), a latent class analysis (LCA) was applied to examine different classes of symptom clusters. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine which variables predicted assignment to these symptom classes. The impact of loss and separation among IDPs in Iraq manifested in CG symptoms in more than half of the affected population and was often accompanied by PTSD. LCA identified a low‐symptoms class (17.6%), CG class (33.7%), PTSD class (12.1%), and comorbid PTSD+CG class (36.7%). The sudden or violent death of a loved one was identified as a distinguishing factor for PTSD. Furthermore, separation was associated with comorbidity. Aid agencies should take these specific factors into account to improve effective and economic aid delivery to IDPs continuously affected by terror. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, the study of terrorism has been increasingly integrated into mainstream criminology. Like other types of criminal behavior, terrorism can be divided into etiology (an emphasis on "breaking laws") and criminal justice (an emphasis on "making laws" and "reacting toward the breaking of laws"). Moreover, like the study of crime, the study of terrorism is inherently multidisciplinary. Nevertheless, terrorism differs from more common forms of crime in fundamental ways: Terrorist perpetrators, unlike common criminals, rarely see themselves as criminal, often seek rather than eschew publicity, and often have broader political goals. Despite similarities and differences, we could identify little prior research that has directly compared the determinants of terrorism and more ordinary types of crime. In this article, we create large cross-national datasets on homicides and terrorist attacks and then compare the effects of a set of common economic, political, and social variables on each. We find a good deal of similarity in the determinants of the two types of violence. Both homicide and terrorism are more common in countries with high GDP, high percent urban, high ethnic fractionalization, and in countries moving toward democratization. Both homicide and terrorism are low in countries experiencing high globalization. Although homicides are more common in countries experiencing high levels of inequality and poverty, neither of these two variables is significantly associated with terrorist attacks. We discuss the implications of the findings for theory, policy, and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homicide trend research has relied heavily on the same two data systems for decades. The current article highlights the research utility of a newer database—the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)—for examining the contours of homicide change. First, we describe the history, design, and availability of the NVDRS, and review past homicide and longitudinal studies using these data. Second, we discuss two features of the data system that researchers should consider when conducting homicide trend analyses: (a) data availability and representativeness and (b) data completeness. Third, we demonstrate a strong degree of correspondence between NVDRS homicide victimization trends and trends from other data systems. Fourth, we illustrate the ways in which the NVDRS can enrich our understanding of homicide trends by examining how homicide characteristics changed during the two recent homicide spikes from 2014 to 2016 and 2019 to 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies in the West suggest that tombstone cost is associated with longevity. The objective of this observational study was to investigate the association between tombstone cost and longevity in a large cemetery in Latin America. Methods: Age at death was obtained from 2,273 consecutive death certificates held at the San Pedro Cemetery Museum in Medellín in Colombia. Subjects died in 2022, 2021, or 2020. Tombs are arranged in galleries in the cemetery and tombstone cost was based on the material from which the tombstone was made, its position in the gallery, and its ornamentation. Analysis of variance was used and the assumption of equal variance was not violated. Results: Approximately 77% of tombstones were of low cost, 21% of medium cost, and 2% of high cost. Data from 1,751 subjects were used to investigate differences in longevity according to tombstone cost while adjusting for sex, civil status, violent death, and year of death. Longevity was similar in the low-cost group and medium-cost group: 64.3 years (63.2, 65.3) versus 63.3 years (61.3, 65.3) [estimated mean (95% confidence interval)]. Longevity was lower in the high-cost group: 47.0 years (40.1, 53.9). Conclusions: The inverse association between tombstone cost and longevity would suggest that people in Medellín are inclined to spend more on tombstones when commemorating the tragic death of a young person. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article evaluates the violent deaths during and after the COVID-19 pandemic using automated machine learning and neural network analysis. For this purpose, data recorded by the National Police about the homicides during March 2020 and June 2023 were used. From these data, the profiles of violent deaths during the pandemic (March 2020 and December 2021) and in the post-pandemic (i.e., January 2022 and June 2023) were calculated. Then a comparative analysis was carried out between these two periods using a two-layer neural network to classify and predict future violent deaths with a precision rate of 100%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article closely reads Cormac McCarthy's Border Trilogy in light of the existentialist motifs of alienation and death. The aim of the study is to analyse the literary representation of these motifs in the trilogy. The applied methodology involves close reading, which facilitates identifying the motifs of death and alienation in the novels; character analysis, focused on exploring the main characters' experiences of death and alienation; and comparative analysis, which is used to compare the representation of the existentialist motifs in the novels. The study reveals that in The Border Trilogy, the existentialist motif of alienation manifests itself through the desire of the main characters to free themselves from social conventions and to mend the wrongness of the world they live in. This motif takes forms of madness, alienation from other characters, and isolation from society. The protagonists, looking for their place in the world, face hardships, encounter resistance, and therefore constantly feel estrangement. In the novels, the existentialist motif of death serves for a better understanding of human nature and is one of the driving forces of the protagonists' existence. This motif manifests itself through blood and bones, dreams, natural and violent deaths, the extermination of nature, and the disappearance of established traditions. Symbolising the end of existence, death prompts the main characters to search for the purpose of their lives and strive for authenticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Armed violence targeting police personnel and police facilities has conspicuously emerged as one of the dominant challenges confronting many police agencies in Africa. Consequently, police officers in African countries are increasingly becoming vulnerable to violent deaths and attacks in the line of duty. In view of this prevailing situation, this paper critically interrogates the nexus between institutional legacy and armed attacks targeting the police in African countries. Tom Tyler's theory of procedural justice was employed as the conceptual framework for the discourse (Tyler, 1990; 2003). The paper argues that the negative labelling that is generally associated with policing and police image in both colonial and post-colonial Africa confers the oppressor identity on police officers and makes them attractive for violent attacks by separatist groups and terrorist organisations. Therefore, it is pertinent for law enforcement agencies in African countries to strategically work on their public legitimacy to effectively mitigate the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista CS is the property of Rafael Silva Vega and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Chile went through violent deaths and disappearances during the dictatorship (1973–1990). Many of those victims are still unrecovered or unidentified. The standards currently used to estimate skeletal sex in unidentified remains in Chile are not population-specific. Phenice's (1969) method for sex estimation is a widely accepted standard, while Klales et al. (2012) modified Phenice's method by developing a logistic regression equation for estimating sex in a US population. Both methods are accurate, with reported 96% and 86.2% overall correct classifications, respectively. However, due to differences in levels of sexual dimorphism between populations, the accuracy of these methods can vary when applied to groups outside the reference sample (e.g. non-US individuals). Thus, this study aims to assess the accuracy of these standards in a Chilean population. A sample of 265 coxae of adult individuals from the documented General Cemetery of Santiago collection were examined. Visual evaluations were performed following both methodologies. Phenice's (1969) method was 97.0% accurate, with a sex bias of 7.7%, and Klales et al. (2012) method was 87.2% accurate, with a sex bias of −15.4%. Both methods can be applied to unknown Chilean remains with acceptable accuracy (>85%), but the sex bias (>5%) could lead to estimation errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to problematize the issue of security in Hobbes. To do so, we discuss the function of fear as a fundamental element to obtain a comfortable life. In this way, it becomes necessary to demonstrate the link between fear and instrumental reason as a fundamental requirement in obtaining the adequate means for the establishment of security as a guarantee of those things that are necessary for the establishment of a comfortable life. The hypothesis that is intended to be evidenced concerns that according to which the attainment of the comfortable life necessarily depends on the instrumental calculation of the causes and consequences of fear in relation to the expectation of attaining security. Using, therefore, the argument of the fear of violent death, the necessity of the necessary requirements for a comfortable life is related to freedom compatible with security and the conditions of well-being of the people. Thus, the security with which Hobbes is concerned is security in view of a comfortable life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Homicide is the extreme endpoint along the continuum of interpersonal violence. Violence in healthcare settings and directed toward healthcare workers has been a growing concern. Analysis of health professionals' homicides is needed to inform prevention interventions. Methods: Decedent numbers, age, and sex in the National Violent Death Reporting System are reported for 10 types of health professionals: advance practice registered nurses, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, physicians, physician assistants, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and veterinarians. Results: Between 2003 and 2020, 944 homicides of these professionals were reported to the NVDRS. Nearly 80% of victims were women; 53% of homicides involved guns. Nurses, social workers, physicians, and pharmacists comprised the most victims. In 2020, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and psychologists had the highest homicide rates relative to their workforce size. Few of these homicides were related to professionals' work. The number of homicides within these professions correlated highly with the size of professions' workforces. Conclusions: Health professionals' homicides constitute a small proportion of US homicides generally at lower rates than seen in the general population. Age is likely one of the protective factors. Future, more comprehensive data will provide greater insights into emerging trends to inform strategies to mitigate homicide risk in health professionals. Prevention needs to go beyond healthcare settings and address societal roots of violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive and rapid development of the human brain during the first years of life complicates the postmortem diagnosis of brain edema in infancy. The aim of this study was to describe brain water content, the brain weight/body weight ratio, and the brain weight/head circumference ratio throughout the first years of life. Furthermore, we examined the relationship between these parameters and rs2075575 in the AQP4 gene. Our hypothesis was that dysregulated water homeostasis might be a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which may be reflected by increased water content in the brain. The study included 90 subjects with sudden unexpected death < 4 years of age: 22 cases of sudden infant death syndrome, 11 cases of sudden unexplained death in childhood, 47 cases of death due to disease, and 10 cases of accident/violent death. Brain water content, brain weight/body weight ratio, and brain weight/head circumference ratio were investigated according to corrected age, diagnosis group, attempt to resuscitate, and presence of brain edema. We found that brain water content and brain weight/body weight ratio were significantly reduced with increasing age, while brain weight/head circumference were increased. Brain weight/head circumference was correlated with brain water content. Cases with brain edema had a significantly higher brain weight/head circumference than the non-edematous cases. No differences were found between the diagnosis groups for any of the investigated parameters. In summary, the findings contribute to the current body of knowledge regarding brain growth during the first months of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Crítica de Ciências Sociais is the property of Centro de Estudos Sociais and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The timing of Tiwanaku's collapse remains contested. Here we present a generational-scale chronology of Tiwanaku using Bayesian models of 102 radiocarbon dates, including 45 unpublished dates. This chronology tracks four community practices: residing short- vs. long-term, constructing monuments, discarding decorated ceramics, and leaving human burials. Tiwanaku was founded around AD 100 and around AD 600, it became the region's principal destination for migrants. It grew into one of the Andes' first cities and became famous for its decorated ceramics, carved monoliths, and large monuments. Our Bayesian models show that monument building ended ~AD 720 (the median of the ending boundary). Around ~AD 910, burials in tombs ceased as violent deaths began, which we document for the first time in this paper. Ritualized murders are limited to the century leading up to ~AD 1020. Our clearest proxy for social networks breaking down is a precise estimate for the end of permanent residence, ~AD 1010 (970–1050, 95%). This major inflection point was followed by visitors who used the same ceramics until ~AD 1040. Temporary camps lasted until roughly ~AD 1050. These four events suggest a rapid, city-wide collapse at ~AD 1010–1050, lasting just ~20 years (0–70 years, 95%). These results suggest a cascading breakdown of community practices and social networks that were physically anchored at Tiwanaku, though visitors continued to leave informal burials for centuries. This generation-scale chronology suggests that collapse 1) took place well before reduced precipitation, hence this was not a drought-induced societal change and 2) a few resilient communities sustained some traditions at other sites, hence the chronology for the site of Tiwanaku cannot be transposed to all sites with similar material culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This project aims to characterize trauma-associated deaths of the American incarcerated population through legal intervention (LI) or death by law enforcement officials while in custody before and during incarceration. We determined the preceding events leading to violent death, including initiation of medical care, use of restraints and force, and demographics of the victims. We used National Violent Death Reporting System data from the years 2003-2019 to identify deaths that occurred while in custody or incarcerated, including discriminate and narrative data. Event information included weapon type, location of death, incident type, incarceration status, use of restraints, and prone positioning. There were 86 victims who died from LI included in the analysis. Most events occurred after incarceration. All victims in our cohort were male, and race was an associated factor for death by LI. Only 16% of victims had an education level above high school/general educational development. Death by firearm compared to other weapons was significantly more common in the in-custody but not yet incarcerated group (83% versus 42%, P ≤ 0.0001). Other associated factors included a history of mental health, physical confrontations, the belief that the victim had a weapon, and being restrained in prone positioning. Our study shows that racial minority victims are disproportionately affected by LI deaths. Firearms and restraint type were important factors in LI deaths. Our findings suggest that violence prevention in the justice system should focus on prevention and de-escalation across setting with specific attention to use of force and inmate access to the weapons of police, guards, and other law and justice system workers. More transparent quality data is sorely needed to adequately define and address this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cahiers Elisabethains: A Biannual Journal of English Renaissance Studies is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: The phenomenon of sudden death is a concern, despite tremendous technological advances in healthcare. Sudden death in adults without any past history of chronic illness is increasing worldwide and is a significant issue for medical professionals. In this modernised medical world, diagnostic tools lack precision in comparison to autopsy cause of death when it comes to finding the clinical cause of death. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines sudden death, according to the International Classification of Diseases, version 10 (ICD-10), as non violent death occurring less than 24 hours from the onset of symptoms, without any other explanation. Aim: To examine the different histomorphological changes observed in autopsy specimens of sudden deaths. Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive crosssectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology at a Tertiary Care Hospital affiliated with a Medical College in South Gujarat, India. Data was collected from autopsies performed between January 2018 and December 2019, and the study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2021. A total of 430 cases of sudden death were systematically examined during the study period. The autopsy forms were used to retrieve the history, and all slides from the 430 cases were reviewed. The history, gross findings, and microscopic features were noted and entered into an Excel sheet. Results: A total of 1671 autopsies were performed during the study period, out of which 430 were sudden deaths. The most commonly affected age group was 41-50 years, with 114 cases (26.51%), followed by the 31-40 years age group with 101 cases (20.16%). Among the cases, 387 were males and 43 were females, resulting in a male-to-female ratio of 9:1. The most common cause of sudden death was cardiovascular pathology 267 (62.10%). Non cardiac causes were attributed to respiratory system involvement 79 (18.37%), followed by cases where no specific cause was identified 43 (10%), multiple system involvement 28 cases (6.51%), hepatobiliary causes 7 (1.62%), genitourinary system causes 4 (0.94%), and Central Nervous System (CNS) causes 2 (0.46%). Conclusion: The present study revealed a significant number of cases of sudden natural death. Cardiac causes were found to be the major contributor to sudden death, posing a health concern in our society. Atherosclerosis was identified as the main culprit in causing myocardial infarction. Sudden death remains a significant concern, and a meticulous postmortem and histopathological {Haematoxylin & Eosin (H&E)} examination are necessary to determine its cause. To prevent sudden natural deaths, it is essential to educate the population about the importance of undergoing annual health check-ups for early diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like other minoritized populations, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) females experience disparate morbidity and mortality outcomes to that of the general US population. This study identified discrepancies in reporting of AI/AN female decedents between the North Carolina Violent Death Reporting System (NC-VDRS) and an online, user-generated database. Female AI/AN decedent data of all ages were collected from the NC-VDRS and compared against that of the publicly available North Carolina Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW NC) database for the study period, 2004–2019. Twenty-four of the 72 cases matched between data systems (33.3%). Substantive differences between the NC-VDRS and the MMIW NC database were found. Future efforts should be directed towards supporting Indigenous communities with the comprehensive data the NC-VDRS can provide. This paper highlights statewide public health systems like the NC-VDRS supporting community efforts to understand, advocate for, and disseminate information on MMIW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Romania, 7.9% in men and 3.8% in women of the general population have used cannabis at least once in their lives. The purpose of this paper is to highlight and evaluate aspects regarding the etiology and epidemiology of lethal cases caused by intoxications using case studies provided by the Sibiu Forensic Medicine Service. The case showcases a period of 10 years (2010-2019), documented within the archives of the service, where personal data of the deceased, as well as causal aspects of the death, are recorded. The present paper includes 169 cases in which the intoxication had a lethal result, registered at the Sibiu Forensic Medicine Service between 2010-2019. Out of the total deaths in the same period (3,355), deaths from intoxication represent a percentage of 5.04%, and of the total violent deaths a percentage of 8.68%. Prevention is the most effective method of combating intoxication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of burials at S:t Olofsholm, a site associated with the Saint Olaf cult on Gotland in Sweden, has enabled a bioarchaeological contextualization of medieval legends and sagas in conjunction with the archaelogical record. This study seeks to illuminate who were buried at S:t Olofsholm, through a biocultural lens, and whether these burials can be linked to folklore and sagas associated with the site. Five burials of possibly six individuals (cal. AD 980–1270) were assessed macroscopically and through stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr, and δ18O) of incremental dentine, bulk enamel, and bone samples. Sagas and legends associated with S:t Olofsholm mention episodes of conflict and contact involving King Olaf Haraldsson of Norway (later canonized as Saint Olaf), Gutes and Icelanders, and travels between Norway and Kyiv Rus. Two (or three) burials show signs of violent deaths, including evidence of sharp force trauma and burning. Isotope analyses indicate local and non‐local signals, with possible links to southern Scandinavia, Britain, Iceland, the Baltics, and Kyiv Rus. In general, the evidence neither challenges nor confirms the legends and sagas associated with S:t Olofsholm. Instead, the findings illustrate the site's function as an early Christian place of worship within a wider Viking world that was characterized by travel and contact across the Baltic Sea, Scandinavia, and beyond. The burials at S:t Olofsholm are likely to be non‐normative as indicated by their place of interment and the violent cause of death of most individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study clarifies the differences in death during incarceration and legal intervention between males and females, delineating the differences in demographic features and the circumstances of the violent death including location, injury pattern, and perpetrator. The data used are from the National Violent Death Reporting System database from 2003 to 2019. All victims were either in custody, in the process of custody, or in prison. Sex was coded as female or male and as assigned at birth. All analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4 software using chi-square tests, with an alpha of 0.05 to test significant differences in the circumstances of mortality and demographic characteristics for each group. Our findings show that suicide was the most common cause of death during incarceration for both females and males (89.8% versus 77.4%; P < 0.001). Homicide was less common in females (1.6% versus 14.8%; P < 0.001) and legal intervention only occurred in males (2.2%; P < 0.001). Male victims were more likely to be of non-White race/ethnicity compared to females, while females were more likely to be experiencing homelessness, have documented mental illness, and comorbid substance abuse. Victim sex is significantly associated with circumstances of violent death among the incarcerated and highlights the need for appropriate mental health and substance abuse treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last three decades, Ecuador has shifted from being one of the most violent countries in Latin America to being one of the safest countries. Recently, however, it became a country with high rates of intentional homicides again. This research aims to examine the impact of social (economic progress and unemployment) and institutional (corruption and government efficiency) indicators on the rate of intentional homicides in Ecuador during the 1990–2020 period. We use cointegration techniques with structural breaks and single-frequency Fourier cumulative causality models. The findings of the Hatemi (ME 35, 497–505) and as reported by Maki (ICJR, 30, 10–29) cointegration model show a long-term equilibrium relationship between five series. The structural breaks coincide with the application of public security policies and structural changes in this economy. In addition, we find a unique Fourier cumulative frequency causal relationship between the analyzed series. To reduce violent deaths, policy-makers must execute strategies that aim to improve the population's quality of life, implement corruption control mechanisms, and promote government efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]