NCJ Number
210902
Journal
Homicide Studies Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2005 Pages: 183-203
Date Published
August 2005
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This research study explored the viability and utility of injury measurements in examining the attributes of homicides
Abstract
Homicide is a widely studied phenomenon using various units of analysis, research designs, statistical approaches, and diverse data sources. Most homicide studies examine weapon use, or more broadly cause of death, as attributes of homicidal injury. These attributes are commonly addressed in most national studies. However, little, if any homicide research has examined the severity of injury as an independent variable to predict offender attributes. Most studies consider only the cause of death, which assumes no variation in injury because every victim suffered a lethal injury. This research proposes new scale measures quantifying the degree of injury exhibited in homicide cases that can be used to further examine the dynamics of homicidal behavior. Some of the schemes outlined were used to propose and generate actual empirical scales for measuring injury severity in homicide cases. Then, data from a recent examination of elderly homicides were used to illustrate the application of these proposed injury measures and provide food for speculation relative to the usefulness of injury measures in understanding all types of homicidal behavior. The procedures suggested for quantifying qualitative values of injury severity in homicide cases show promise for exciting avenues of future research. Tables, notes, references