NCJ Number
186369
Journal
Homicide Studies Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2000 Pages: 317-340
Editor(s)
M. Dwayne Smith
Date Published
November 2000
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This article examines concurrence between homicide estimates from the Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) and the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) at the county level for 1980 to 1988. Differences between estimates from the two systems are related to population size.
Abstract
In this article, county homicide data is used to examine concurrence between the two national collection systems. Findings supported practices of most current collective homicide studies, which analyze rates from groups with large populations such as, Nation or State. However, findings imply that caution should be used in interpreting homicide studies that include small counties. The lack of agreement between the SHR and NVSS data systems is due to differences in case definition and vague or failed procedures. Accuracy varies according to the level of aggregation and the size of the groups under study. Data that is reasonable for an analysis of large urban areas or the Nation may be inadequate to study smaller groups. Graphs, tables, and references