title: Homicides by older offenders in New South Wales between 1993 and 2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Homicides by older people are rare and might differ from those committed by younger people. To investigate the characteristics of older homicide offenders in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search of legal, criminological and media databases for cases of homicide committed by people in NSW aged 55 and over, during the 18 years from 1993 to 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-seven cases were identified through databases. Legal documents were obtained for 70 offenders, comprising about 5% of homicides committed in NSW in the period of the study. The proportions of male offenders and rates of firearm use were similar to other age groups. Twelve of the 14 homicides using guns occurred outside the metropolitan area. Older offenders were more likely to have cognitive impairment or psychotic illness. Victims were more likely to be female and in a domestic relationship with the offender.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Homicide by an older person is rare, and more commonly involves a man killing a family member. Correctional facilities will increasingly have to consider the needs of older people serving long sentences.
authors.affiliation: Lecturer (conjoint), School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW and; Senior Visiting Medical Officer, Justice Health, NSW, Australia sreutens@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reutens
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer (conjoint), School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, and; Visiting Medical Officer, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW, and; Senior research fellow, Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Olav
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nielssen
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer (conjoint), School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, and; Psychiatrist, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Large
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D057237:Criminals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales
keywords: dementia; elderly; firearms; homicide; psychosis