The average social cost of a single murder is more than $17.2 million, according to a new study (PDF). Christina Hernandez interviewed study author Matt DeLisi on the goal of the research:
There is a large and vibrant prevention world that tries to identify at-risk youth and at-risk families and provide some modestly-costing social services that will try to push kids out of risky or at-risk environments into more normative or pro-social environments.
I’m hoping these monetization studies show the end result of what happens if we allow crime to go over to a lengthy criminal career. My hope is that this information — because no one wants to pay for these costs, let alone endure all the victimization — provides an incentive to continue to invest in prevention.
(Hat tip: Maureen O'Connor)
The Dish 