NCJ Number
170165
Journal
Homicide Studies Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1997) Pages: 141-168
Date Published
1997
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This study draws on a qualitative analysis of homicide in Victoria, Australia, to examine the concept of "victim precipitated homicide."
Abstract
Data for the current study, which is part of an ongoing investigation of homicide (Polk, 1994), were drawn from the files of the Office of the Coroner of Victoria. These files contain a number of reports that were compiled to conduct the coroner's inquest. They include an initial police report of the incident; an autopsy report regarding the cause of death; a toxicology report, if such is relevant; a police prosecutor's brief; and the report of the inquest itself. The most helpful source of information for this study was the prosecutor's brief, which typically contains lengthy witness statements as well as transcripts of interviews with defendants. There were 384 homicides reported during the years 1985 through 1989. For each homicide, a lengthy case history was prepared. These case studies were then subjected to a qualitative analysis of the themes that characterized the relationship between the victim and the offender. The resulting narratives were examined to determine the specific role of the victim's contribution to the events that were part of the unfolding homicide drama. Based on the findings, this study concludes that a fruitful line of further inquiry might focus on the masculine character of these patterns of violence. The weight of current theoretical work suggests that more will be gained by understanding the contexts within which forms of masculine violence are played out, rather than focusing on the specific issue of victim precipitation of homicide. 31 references