A1 Journal article (refereed)
Time cycles of homicide in the early modern Nordic area (2020)

Kivivuori, J., Lehti, M., Rautelin, M., Lindström, D., & Netterstrøm, J. B. (2020). Time cycles of homicide in the early modern Nordic area. Nordic Journal of Criminology, 21(2), 152-169. https://doi.org/10.1080/2578983X.2020.1766283

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kivivuori, Janne; Lehti, Martti; Rautelin, Mona; Lindström, Dag; Netterstrøm, Jeppe Büchert

Journal or series: Nordic Journal of Criminology

ISSN: 2578-983X

eISSN: 2578-9821

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 21

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 152-169

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Publication country: Sweden

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2578983X.2020.1766283

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/69329

Abstract

An extensive body of criminological research has shown that criminal and violent behaviour manifests time patterns in terms of daily, weekly and annual cycles. This is consistent with criminological routine activities theory. Can we generalize these patterns to historical periods? In this article, we draw on a recently created unique dataset, covering the years 1608–1699 in three Nordic regions, to explore time cycles of offending in the early modern period. Examining daily, weekly and annual cycles, we find that lethal violence manifested strong time patterns in the early modern period. The role of public holidays was central especially in the period lasting from Christmas to Midsummer. Probing the role of key routines, we disaggregated the composition of homicide cycles by alcohol use and place of occurrence. The findings indicated that early modern homicide time cycles were associated with alcohol use and activities in private places. We conclude by discussing the strengths and limitations of our data and by suggesting further research in the promising frontier of standardized long duration homicide research.

Keywords: criminology; social history; homicides; seasonal variations; alcohol use; annual holidays (celebrations); Early modern age

Free keywords: homicide; criminology; history; time cycles; Nordic countries

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2020

JUFO rating: 1