NCJ Number
121502
Journal
Professional Geographer Volume: 41 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1989) Pages: 29-38
Date Published
1989
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study reports that the behaviors of homicide and assault are similar in process and differ only in outcome, thus suggesting that violence data should be classified differently for behavioral analyses.
Abstract
Over 1200 homicides and 32,000 serious assaults in 12 urban neighborhoods in Dallas, Texas for the years 1981-1985 were studied. The neighborhoods were differentiated by socioeconomic status. The two types of crimes were compared demographically, temporally, in terms of locations, and in types of weapons used. More than half of the incidents of assault and homicide occurred in the summer, and well over half of the homicides occurred in residences. Assaults were more likely to occur in street settings. The study concludes that every assault is a potential homicide, and assault prevention may be a practical way of limiting homicides. (Author abstract modified)