SEASONAL TRENDS IN SCHOOL VIOLENCE

Focuses on the results of a study in the U.S. on the distinct seasonal variations in school homicides and suicides nationwide. Number of cases identified between 1994 and 1999; Number of homicide cases identified between 1994 and 1999; Percentage of school homicides which involved multiple victims.

By Julie Adams, published on March 01, 2002

PATTERNS

WE MAY NEVER UNDERSTAND WHAT triggered school shootings in the now-infamous towns of Columbine, Paducah, Springfield and Jonesboro. But a large-scale study found distinct seasonal variations in school homicides and suicides nationwide.

"Homicides peak at the beginning of each semester and taper off. Suicides are higher in the spring," says Mark Anderson, M.D., of the national center for injury prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The beginning of a semester can be stressful and tense for students, explains Anderson. They forge new relationships with peers and teachers, and may carry grudges from holiday breaks. "Spring is a fairly intense time of year, with events like prom, graduation, grades and finals," says Anderson.

The findings were compiled from police and media reports on all school-related violent deaths between 1994 and 1999. Anderson's team identified 220 cases, which included 172 homicides, 30 suicides and 11 homicide-suicides.

Anderson cautions that these findings don't necessarily apply to the handful of high-profile school homicides. Indeed, the shootings in Columbine, Springfield and Jonesboro occurred in the spring and Paducah occurred in early December. But at Columbine the two perpetrators committed suicide, which occurs more often during the spring.

Most school homicides involved one perpetrator and one victim, according to Anderson. Less than 10 percent involved multiple victims.

The CDC conducted the study in collaboration with the U.S. Education and Justice departments. The results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

PHOTO (COLOR): SUICIDES ARE HIGHER IN THE SPRING