Authors
Dr. Ranjay Kumar
Abstract
Income is a prominent social determinant that influences human thoughts, behaviours, and actions, shaping the quality of personal and social life. Income ensures access to resources critical for maintaining well-being and contributes to the social and economic empowerment of an individual. The impact of income on violent crimes is a critical area of study in forensic psychology and criminology. This study explores the role of personal and family income in unlawful homicides. The research compares the personal and family income of 100 male subjects, 50 convicted murderers from Central Jail, Beur, Patna, Bihar and 50 non-criminals from various districts in Bihar. Participants, aged 20–60 years, were Hindu males with at least primary-level education, selected through purposive sampling. Data collection involved a self-prepared Personal Data Schedule (PDS), with analysis conducted using the t-test and Chi-square test. The results revealed significant differences in both personal and family income between the two groups. Convicted murderers and their family predominantly belonged to the lowest income category, potentially exacerbating stress, frustration, and poor decision-making linked to homicidal offenses. In contrast, non-criminals and their family were more likely to have higher income levels, which fostered better daily life management, stronger coping mechanisms, and reduced criminal tendencies. The findings underscore the interplay between personal and family income and violent crimes, emphasizing the need for holistic interventions to address income disparities, improve public health, and reduce crime. Keywords: Income, Unlawful Homicides, Murderers, Non-Criminals
Introduction
Income is a fundamental factor that shapes the quality of life, influencing individuals’ thoughts, behaviours, and actions. It serves as a cornerstone for accessing resources vital to physical and mental well-being and plays a pivotal role in enabling socio-economic empowerment. According to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD, 2021), income is the total earnings or financial resources available to an individual or household from employment, business, or other sources. Income inequalities, however, often lead to stress, frustration, and a lack of opportunities, which may influence individuals' involvement in criminal activities, particularly violent crimes like unlawful homicides (Agnew, 1992). Forensic psychology and criminology have long sought to understand the complex interplay between income levels and criminal behaviour, offering critical insights into preventive and corrective measures (Merton, 1938).
Personal and Family Income
Personal income, defined as an individual’s total earnings from wages, investments, and other sources, serves as a vital indicator of well-being and access to resources. According to OECD (2021), personal income refers to the financial resources generated by an individual through employment or self-employment, whereas family income accounts for the combined financial resources of all members of a household. In other words, family income refers to the total monetary earnings and financial resources generated by all members of a household over a specified period. It includes income from various sources such as wages, salaries, business profits, rental income, investments, pensions, and government benefits. These financial variables often determine individuals' access to education, healthcare, and social mobility. Low-income levels have been associated with heightened stress and reduced decision-making capacity, potentially leading to criminal behaviours such as violent crimes (Sampson & Wilson, 1995).
Unlawful Homicides:
Unlawful homicide, commonly referred to as murder, is a heinous act influenced by various psychosocial and economic factors. According to (Blackstone 1765/1979), an unlawful homicide is the act of intentionally causing the death of another person without lawful justification, such as self-defence.
Murderers and non-criminals:
Murderers: According to (Blackstone 1765 & 1979), murderers are individuals legally convicted of unlawful homicide, which is defined as an intentional act that causes the death of another person without lawful justification. The act of murder is characterized by the intention to kill or cause grievous harm and the act of killing.
Non-Criminals: Non-criminals are individuals who comply with the law and have no history of participation in criminal activities. This category encompasses law-abiding citizens who have not been accused, arrested, or convicted of any crimes, thus maintaining a clean legal record (Sutherland, et al. 1978).
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| APA Style | Dr. Kumar, Ranjay (2024). Impact of Personal and Family Income on unlawful homicides: A Comparison between Murderers and Non-criminals. Academic Journal of Forensic Sciences, 07(02), 83–89. |
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