Evidence of Marginal Deterrence: Kidnapping and Murder in Italy

TitleEvidence of Marginal Deterrence: Kidnapping and Murder in Italy
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsDetotto, C, McCannon, B, Vannini, M
JournalInternational Review of Law and Economics
Volume41
IssueMarch
Pagination63-67
Abstract

Empirical evidence of the marginal deterrent effect is provided. Exploring a data set of kidnapping crimes in Italy between 1960 and 2012, changes in Italian policy regarding sanctions for kidnapping and their associated impact on murders is considered. Deaths associated with kidnappings increase in prevalence when the kidnapping sanction increased, causing a decrease in the marginal sanction for murder. Death rates reversed when enhanced sanctions for murder were later introduced.

URLhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0144818814000799
DOI10.1016/j.irle.2014.11.001
Keywordseconomics of crime, kidnapping, marginal deterrence