ASPECTS OF ALCOHOL -- RELATED HOMICIDE IN CROATIA AND EASTERN EUROPE COMPARED TO NORTHERN AND WESTERN EUROPE.

The goal of this study was identification of highly specific patterns of alcohol related homicide in Croatia and comparing with related homicides in six eastern European countries and overall comparison with same homicide group in western Europe. The survey in Croatia was conducted on 286 men charged with murder (homicide group) within Croatian Criminal Justice System between 1990 and 2004. All offenders were admitted to forensic psychiatry units and have undergone testing and psychiatric evaluation in order to make forensic expert analyses of each case particularly. The alcohol related cases in Croatia were compared to alcohol related homicide studies in Russia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and former Czechoslovakia. All data were compared to alcohol related homicide in countries of northern Europe (Sweden, Finland, Norway) and Western Europe (Ireland, Germany). In general, all alcohol-related homicide rates among men were substantially higher for Croatia (64%) and eastern European countries (60%-80%) compared to western European countries (35-39%). Russia and Belarus had the highest alcohol-related homicide rates, followed by Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary and former Czechoslovakia. Eastern European countries had similar alcohol related homicide compared to northern European countries such as Finland with highest percentage of alcohol related homicide (80%) followed by Estonia (73%), Sweden (62%) and Norway (52%). Overall, Croatia, eastern and northern European countries had three to five time higher alcohol- related homicide rates compared to western European countries (Ireland and Germany), but the similar homicide rate (Sweden) or lower (Finland) compared to northern Europe. Moreover, Finland had similar rate of alcohol-related homicide as Russia and Belarus. In comparison between Croatia and the countries of eastern Europe, we have found that Croatia has lower alcohol-related homicide rate then Russia, Belarus, Bulgaria and Poland and similar rate when compared to Hungary and former Czechoslovakia. In social context of alcohol related homicide in all countries, the offenders are male, age 30-50, single, unemployed (socially marginalized) and majority of the offenders had previous history of alcohol abuse and criminal offenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]