Time trends in a study of 440 mass slayings/rampages occurring in public places.
We looked for variations in the timing of mass slayings/rampages (MS/R) committed in public places by solitary perpetrators. News reports on 440 MS/R from 1920 to 1996 yielded 379 onset times which were examined for temporal patterns. There was a dramatic increase in the number of MS/R from 1966 to 1995. We observed a significant monthly variation with peaks in July-August and December, and a bimodal daily rhythm for MS/R onset with a major peak at 11:00 a.m. and a minor peak at 8:00 p.m. Observed time trends for MS/R could help develop protective programs to reduce stress and violence in public places.
Mooney
J J
JJ
Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, USA.
Orav
E J
EJ
D049673:History, 20th Century; D006708:Homicide / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008399:Mass Behavior; D010507:Periodicity; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000266:history; D013997:Time Factors; D014754:Violence / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends*