Siblicide and Genetic Relatedness in Chicago,1870-1930

Abstract

Using a sample of siblicides committed in Chicago from 1870 through 1930, the authors tested two predictions heuristically guided by an evolutionary perspective. They predicted a greater proportion of siblicides of in-law siblings will be perpetrated by beatings, relative to the proportion of siblicides of full siblings. This difference did not reach statistical significance although it was in the predicted direction. They found, as predicted, that a significantly greater proportion of accidental deaths occurred with siblicides of full siblings relative to the proportion of siblicides of in-law siblings. Discussion addresses limitations of this research and the need for a national-level database that codes for the genetic relationship between the siblicide victim and offender to capitalize on greater statistical power.