Child victims of homicide: a portrait of their killers and the circumstances of their deaths.

The population of 93 arrestees for homicides committed against children between 1982 and 1986 in Detroit, Michigan, is analyzed in the context of their killings. Analyses include demographic and social characteristics of offenders and victims, demographic and social relationships between offenders and victims, circumstances of offense, and arrest disposition. Where feasible, comparisons are made with general populations and samples of homicide offenders.