Sharp force homicides in the Stockholm area, 1983–1992

Abstract

A total of 133 males and 41 females were included in a consecutive study of homicides caused by sharp force injuries in the period 1982-1993. A comparison was made with 142 homicides in the previous 10-year period. Victims showed statistically significantly more injuries in the latter than in the previous period. The numbers of male victims had increased significantly in the combined 20-year period. The numbers of cuts and stabs inflicted on the victim were used as a variable to discriminate different groups of perpetrators. More than ten wounds were correlated to a close relation between perpetrator and victim and to assailants with mental illness. One single injury was often observed in cases where the relation between the perpetrator and the (often male) victim was based on alcohol. Between two and nine wounds were of ten seen in cases where the homicide was part of a fight among persons with lesser degree of relation. In addition almost all offenders in this group were males. More than ten wounds gave a statistically significantly lower probability that perpetrator and victim were strangers to each other. 27% of the perpetrators that had been physically examined shortly after the homicide had evidence of sharp force injuries on the hands. Perpetrators using sharp force violence showed a high mortality in accidents, deaths due to abuse, homicides and deaths due to suspicious circumstances. Laws restricting the carrying of knives in certain places did not significantly influence the number of sharp force homicides, since the absolute majority of them were carried out with knives found at the scene.