Nature and Patterns of American Homicide

• NCJ Number: 97964
• Author(s): M Riedel; M A Zahn; L F Mock
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 78 pages
• Grant Number(s): 79-NI-AX-0092
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Southern Illinois University Ctr for the Study of Crime, Delinquency, and Corrections
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: National Institute of Justice Research Report.

Annotation

Analysis of national FBI data for 1968-78, as well as data from eight selected cities for 1978, revealed that homicides increased from 1968 to the early 1970's, then decreased, and finally increased again with the homicide rate for 1978 the second highest in the 11-year period.

Abstract

In contrast to national trends, the Western States showed a linear increase in homicides, while the Southern States had significantly higher rates throughout the period. When national data for 1976-78 were classified into types of homicide by victim-offender relationship, the most prevalent type was acquaintance homicide, followed by family homicide and then stranger homicide. Men were dominant as victims and offenders in these three categories, but women were relatively more prevalent in family homicides. The 20-29 age group contained the highest rates for both victims and offenders, although offenders overall were slightly younger than their victims. Both nationally and in the cities, homicide offenders were disproportionately black. However, national trends over the 1968-78 period showed that, while arrests had increased for both blacks and whites, the proportion of black to white offenders had decreased by 12 percent. White offenders predominated in cases of family homicide, while black offenders predominated in acquaintance and stranger homicide. Handguns were the most prevalent weapons used in homicides. Felonies were much more strongly used in homicides. Felonies were much more strongly associated with stranger homicides than with acquaintance or family homicides. The report provides detailed information on the characteristics of homicide victims and offenders, homicide weapons, felony circumstances associated with homicide, and homicide locations. Implications of the findings for police, practice, and research are discussed. Tables are supplied.