Homicide Research Articles

Can Ecuador Avoid Becoming a Narco-State?

Ecuador until recently was known as a haven of relative peace in its region, but it is in the process of being transformed by surging crime. The country’s homicide rate is now among the highest in Latin America; a presidential candidate campaigning on an anti-crime platform was assassinated in 2023. Since 2020, increasingly brazen narco-traffickers have been battling for control of the country’s ports, and criminal gangs are threatening to capture the state. The origins of the crisis date back a decade and a half, and it has gathered momentum with policy blunders by successive presidents on both left and right.

WHEN CLIMATE CHANGES, SO DOES VIOLENCE: EXAMINING THE LINK BETWEEN WEATHER AND CRIME IN PERNAMBUCO-NORTHEAST, BRAZIL

This paper examines the impact of weather shocks on crime in Pernambuco-Northeast, one of the states most affected by climate disasters in the Brazilian semi-arid region. We show that precipitation and temperature shocks in the form of droughts have a significant impact on the increase of rates of intentional lethal violent crimes (ILVC), property crimes (PC), and homicides. The effects of precipitation fluctuations in the form of droughts persist beyond the agricultural season and in the medium-term, and vary according to municipal and criminological characteristics. Moreover, adverse weather conditions (e.g., droughts) have a greater impact on income-related crimes. Consistent with this evidence, we find that the persistent response of crime rates to adverse weather conditions is driven by negative shocks to rural income, followed by a deterioration in overall economic activity, urban labor market conditions, and the government’s ability to provide public goods. The patterns we identify align with a relationship between weather and crime explained by reduced opportunity costs associated with criminal activity. Regarding policy recommendations, our findings suggest that local governments should prioritize investments in water infrastructure, agricultural irrigation, expansion of water coverage, and conservation of forested areas. These measures can contribute to climate adaptation and mitigate the economic impact of weather shocks on crime.

Fighting Crime in Lawless Areas: Evidence from Slums in Rio de Janeiro

We use Rio de Janeiro’s slum pacification program initiated in 2008 to analyze the effect of policies targeting crime in lawless areas. We correct the bias from the unobserved rise in crime reporting via the use of a proxy variable and bounded variation assumptions. We find that the program reduced the murder and robbery rates but strongly increased the assault and threat rates. We explain these results by providing evidence that increased enforcement weakened the security service that gangs provide on their turf, and may incentivize criminals to switch from serious to less serious crimes. (JEL H76, K14, K42, O17, O18, R23)

The deadliest local police departments kill 6.91 times more frequently than the least deadly departments, net of risk, in the United States.

I use data linking counts of homicides by police to police department (PD) and jurisdiction characteristics to estimate benchmarked (i.e. risk-adjusted) police homicide rates in 2008-2017 among the 711 local PDs serving 50,000 or more residents, a sample with demographics resembling all mid-to-large Census places. The benchmarked rate estimates capture PD deadliness by comparing PDs to peers whose officers face similar risks while adjusting for access to trauma care centers to account for differential mortality from deadly force. Compared to existing estimates, differences in benchmarked estimates are more plausibly attributable to policing differences, speaking to whether the force currently used is necessary to maintain safety and public order. I find that the deadliest PDs kill at 6.91 times the benchmarked rate of the least deadly PDs. If the PDs with above-average deadliness instead killed at average rates for a PD facing similar risks, police homicides would decrease by 34.44%. Reducing deadliness to the lowest observed levels would decrease them by 70.04%. These estimates also indicate the percentage of excess police homicides-those unnecessary for maintaining safety-if the baseline agency is assumed to be optimally deadly. Moreover, PD deadliness has a strong, robust association with White/Black segregation and Western regions. Additionally, Black, Hispanic, foreign-born, lower income, and less educated people are disproportionately exposed to deadlier PDs due to the jurisdictions they reside in. Police violence is an important public health concern that is distributed unevenly across US places, contributing to social disparities that disproportionately harm already marginalized communities.

The Association Between State Minimum Wage and Firearm Homicides, 2000–2020

IntroductionRecent research has indicated an association between both poverty and income inequality and firearm homicides. Increased minimum wages may serve as a strategy for reducing firearm violence by increasing economic security among workers earning low wages and reducing the number of families living in poverty. This study aimed to examine the association between state minimum wage and firearm homicides in the United States between 2000 and 2020. MethodsState minimum wage, obtained from Temple's Law Atlas and augmented by legal research, was conceptualized using the Kaitz Index. State-level homicide counts were obtained from 2000-2020 multiple-cause-of death mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System. Log-linear regressions were conducted to model the associations between state minimum wage and firearm homicides, stratifying by demographic groups. Analyses were conducted in 2023. ResultsA one percentage point increase in a state's Kaitz Index was associated with a 1.3% (95% CI: -2.1% to –0.5%) decrease in a state's firearm homicide rate. When interacted with quartile of firearm ownership, the Kaitz Index was associated with decreases in firearm homicide in all except the lowest quartile. These findings were largely consistent across stratifications. ConclusionsChanging a state's minimum wage, whereby a full-time minimum wage worker's salary is closer to a state's median income may be an option for reducing firearm homicides.

Effects of Voice Pitch on Social Perceptions Vary With Relational Mobility and Homicide Rate

Fundamental frequency ( fo) is the most perceptually salient vocal acoustic parameter, yet little is known about how its perceptual influence varies across societies. We examined how fo affects key social perceptions and how socioecological variables modulate these effects in 2,647 adult listeners sampled from 44 locations across 22 nations. Low male fo increased men’s perceptions of formidability and prestige, especially in societies with higher homicide rates and greater relational mobility in which male intrasexual competition may be more intense and rapid identification of high-status competitors may be exigent. High female fo increased women’s perceptions of flirtatiousness where relational mobility was lower and threats to mating relationships may be greater. These results indicate that the influence of fo on social perceptions depends on socioecological variables, including those related to competition for status and mates.

Maternal Loss: An Analysis of Types of Death and Grief Mediators

Objective: To understand maternal grief by establishing an analysis between the types of death and the mediators of grief. Methodology: Field research was carried out with a qualitative approach, with the participation of mothers who lost their children due to premature death (sudden/natural or violent/tragic) and who participate in the mutual help group “Mothers of Pieta”, in Patos, Paraíba. The interviews were reflected in the light of Bardin's content analysis method, the organization of data and information was done through the Mindomo 4.5.4 software, in the premium version, for the development of mind maps. Results: Based on the mediators of mourning, to verify the existence of bonds of meaning between the bereaved and the lost being. It was observed, in the totality of the sample, that the bonds are of maternal order. Thus, it was possible to identify ambivalence in the relationship between mother and child, reports of satisfaction with social support after the loss and all mothers were involved in Catholic rituals. Most of the sample reported experiences resulting from a violent/tragic death, grief experiences prior to the death of their children, involvement in social roles and attachment security. Only one mother completed the six personality variables during the grieving path, while another experienced grief due to sudden/natural death. Conclusion: There is evidence that the type of death can directly affect the experience of bereavement, since premature and violent death tends to lead to a longer period of mourning and a slower evolution of mourning.

Investigative Decision-Making: A Qualitative Analysis of Homicide Detectives’ Practices

Investigative decision-making, vital for homicide investigations and the justice system, lacks research in Brazil. We interviewed 15 experienced homicide detectives, and Thematic Analysis was used to analyze the data. Four themes were identified: Experience, Training, and Method; Decision-making Support; Decision-making Obstacles; and Biases and Heuristics. Specific training and methods favor decision-making, but experience can have an ambiguous effect. Biases and heuristics were identified in detectives’ investigative decisions. These findings have theoretical and practical implications, contributing to a better understanding of the subject.

Prevalence, Levels and Correlates of Intellectual Disability among Adolescents Incarcerated in a Correctional Facility in Kaduna, NorthWestern Nigeria

Background: Adolescents with intellectual disability are disproportionately represented within correctional facilities. Studies have shown that such adolescents are vulnerable to manipulation and influence including coercion into homosexual relationships, as well as to being victims of homicide compared to others. However, there are few studies on intellectual disability among adolescents in correctional facilities in Northern Nigeria. This study thus aimed to assess the prevalence, levels and correlates of intellectual disability among adolescents in a correctional facility in Kaduna, Northwestern Nigeria
 Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among all the adolescents incarcerated at the Borstal Training Institution in Kaduna, North-western Nigeria between March and June 2018 who gave informed consent/assent. Data collection was done using a sociodemographic questionnaire; Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RPM); Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire and Perceived parental support questionnaire.
 Results: The 93 participants aged 13 years to 19 years were all males with a mean age of 17.71 years (SD ±1.19). The majority (88.2%) were below average intellectually while 58.1% were intellectually defective. Participants with below-average IQ had experienced parental death (χ2 = 4.099, p=0.043), had mothers with less than 12 years of education (χ2 = 5.653, p=0.015) and scored lower on perceived combined parental support (t=-4.704, p=0.032), maternal (t=- 4.334, p=0.000) and paternal support (t=-3.506, p=0.001).
 Conclusions: Intellectual disabilities are prevalent among adolescents in incarceration. There is a need to put in place programs for the identification of such adolescents in our correctional facilities so that programs which minimize the disability while emphasizing the adolescents' strengths can be instituted thus probably reducing their representation in the prison population as well as enhancing the success of rehabilitation back into the society. In addition, identified correlates should be incorporated into targeted prevention strategies for vulnerable adolescents effectively and sustainably to reduce their occurrence.

A Series of 8 Illicit Fentanyl Intoxication Deaths in Infants and Toddlers.

We report 8 children younger than 2 years who died from acute illicit fentanyl intoxications in Connecticut between 2020 and 2022.The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (CT OCME) investigates all unexpected, violent, and suspicious deaths in Connecticut. The CT OCME's electronic database was searched for fentanyl deaths by age. All underwent autopsies and toxicology testing.The ages ranged from 28 days to 2 years (mean age, 12 months). The causes of death involved acute fentanyl intoxications with 1 having xylazine, 1 having para-fluorofentanyl, and 1 having cocaine and morphine. All the manners of death were certified as homicide. The postmortem fentanyl blood concentrations ranged from 0.40 to 46 ng/mL. Most of the children were found unresponsive after being put to sleep. Three were co-sleeping with adults (2 in bed; 1 on a recliner). There was a known history of parental/caregiver drug abuse in 7 of 8 of the fatalities.We summarize the key investigative, autopsy, and toxicological findings. As illicit fentanyl use increases, there is a potential for infant exposure and death. The investigation and certification of these deaths and the role of intentional administration versus inadvertent exposure due to caregiver neglect in the context of the certification of the manner of death are described.

The Effect of Social Cohesion on Subjective Individual Quality of Life in European Countries

Many scholars have studied the effects of economic conditions on subjective well-being, but scarce attention has been paid to the effect of cultural and social determinants on quality of life. This study aims to analyse the effect of social cohesion considered as a characteristic of a country on subjective quality of life. In addition, we also tested the moderating effect of social cohesion on the relationship between income and placement in society with quality of life. To test our hypotheses we estimated a multilevel regression model. First, we estimated the null model, which showed that almost a quarter of the variance in quality of life is located at country level. Second, we included in the model all the level-1 predictors. This model highlighted that self-evaluated position on the social ladder has a larger positive effect than income on quality of life. In the third step, we added country-level predictors. Controlling for other macro factors—GDP, Life Expectancy, Gini coefficient and Homicide rate—and individual-level variables, we shows that Cohesion exerts a positive effect on subjective quality of life. The model also points out that country’s economic conditions (measured by GDP) do not affect quality of life when we control this relationship for social cohesion. Interestingly, also the within-country economic disparities (measured by Gini coefficient) do not seem to affect quality of life when cohesion is taken into account. Finally, we also shows that the positive effect of income on quality of life is moderated by cohesion. In other words, income is a relatively less important factor in determining quality of life in countries with higher levels of cohesion. In the same way, individuals’ position and perception of their placement on the social ladder affects in a lesser extent their quality of life in those countries that have higher degrees of cohesion.

Suicide by sodium nitrite poisoning: Findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2018-2020.

Suicide by sodium nitrite may be an emerging trend in the United States. Our mixed-methods study aims to: (1) describe the rates of suicides secondary to sodium nitrite self-poisoning in the United States between 2018 and 2020 and (2) characterize the use of sodium nitrite as a suicide method. Using NVDRS data, descriptive statistics, population-based incident rates/year and incidence estimates across 50 states were calculated. An inductive thematic analysis characterized the use of sodium nitrite as a suicide method on review of medical examiner and law enforcement reports. 260 incidents were identified as suicides secondary to self-poisoning with sodium nitrite/nitrate across 37 states and 1 territory-69% of which occurred in 2020. The typical victim was a white male student with a known depressive disorder and a history of suicidal thoughts (n = 120). The annual suicide rate using sodium nitrite increased from 0.01-0.09/100,000 person-years over the three-year period. Online forums were used to share knowledge on the procurement and preparation of sodium nitrite poisoning. Sodium nitrite self-poisoning is an increasingly used planned suicide method among young people. Further studies are required to identify the impact of means safety interventions on the incidence of sodium nitrite self-poisoning incidents.

Gender and homicides in Paraná: a descriptive analysis from an ecological perspective (2018-2021)

Violence is considered a public health issue as it is one of the main causes of premature mortality in the world, resulting in several impacts that affect the population. This is an ecological time series study on homicides between 2018 and 2021 carried out in the State of Paraná. Data were extracted from the Mortality Information System (SIM) by categories: gender, age, race/color, marital status, place of occurrence and IDC (X85 to Y09 and Y35 to Y36). Data analysis shows that 9,169 violent deaths occurred in the state during the period, 91.2% (8,365) of which were male and 8.7% (801) were female. Considering only the age group, the majority of homicides are between the ages of 20 and 29, totaling 3,349 deaths in the last 4 years, 93.3% (3,123) of male gender and 6.7% (226) of female gender. In this same age group, there is the largest percentage difference between genders. A greater similarity was observed between 5 and 9 years old, with the percentage of both genders equal to 50% (7). The data shows that the highest rate of female homicides, 36.1% (289) occurred at home, while 42.7% (3,572) of male deaths occurred on public roads. Firearm discharge (ICD: X93, X94 and X95) is the main cause of death for both genders, with males accounting for 61.5% (5,142) and females 43.6% (349) of the cases. Better understanding the categories that lead to homicide is a fundamental step towards creating more effective public policies to minimize homicides in Brazil and around the world.

Female Homicide Victims in Cook County, Illinois: A Retrospective Review.

Female homicide is a broad term that includes any homicide in which the victim is a female, representing the most extreme form of violence against women. This study investigated the characteristics of female homicides to determine the types and characteristics of injury, circumstances of the events, and other aspects in this specific population. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office files were searched for homicides in female subjects between January 2017 and January 2022, with no limits for age, race, or cause of death. A total of 527 cases met the criteria. Most homicides occurred in Chicago during the summer. The most common cause of death was firearm(s) wounds, followed by sharp force traumas, asphyxia, and blunt force injuries. The remaining deaths were due to combined and "other" mechanisms. Different patterns of injuries were observed at the autopsy. Alleged offenders were mostly male subjects and were frequently in a romantic relationship with the victim, and the reasons for homicide were related to jealousy and personal conflicts. This study offers an overview of homicidal deaths in female subjects in a large metropolitan area.

Identifying Witnessed Suicides in National Violent Death Reporting System Narratives.

There is increasing attention to suicides that occur in view of others, as these deaths can cause significant psychological impact on witnesses. This study illuminates characteristics of witnessed suicides and compares characteristics of these deaths to non-witnessed suicides. We develop a codable definition of what constitutes witnessed (vs. non-witnessed) suicide. Our data include a sample of 1200 suicide descriptions from the 2003-2017 National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). We first developed criteria to identify probable cases of witnessed suicide. The coding scheme achieved 94.5% agreement and identified approximately 10% (n = 125) of suicides as witnessed. Next, we examined differences between witnessed and non-witnessed suicides in demographics, manner of death, and social/environmental factors using bivariate Chi-squared tests, multivariate logistic regression, and ANOVA. Witnessed suicide decedents were significantly more likely than non-witnessed suicide decedents to be male, younger, and members of a sexual minority, and to have died in living spaces by means of a firearm. Two thirds of witnesses were strangers to the decedents, while 23.2% were romantic partners or ex-partners of the decedents. Our coding method offers a reliable approach to identify witnessed suicides. While witnessed suicides are relatively infrequent, these deaths have profound impact on witnesses. Articulating the features of witnessed suicides may contribute to identifying potential risk mitigation strategies.

Why did US urban homicide spike in 2020? A cross-sectional data analysis for the largest American cities.

Working with data about homicide victims and perpetrators from 50 of America's largest cities, we investigate the explanatory power of some familiar explanations for why murder in those cities rose sharply in 2020. The analysis reveals that the distribution of risk by race was essentially the same in 2020 as in 2019. That empirical finding challenges some theories of how racial tensions after the death of George Floyd may have driven homicide increases. Similarly, homicide growth was not concentrated in those cities with the greatest availability in 2020 of new and older guns, or among the cities that suffered the most from the COVID-19 pandemic. At a minimum, the cross-city outcomes should reduce confidence that some combination of "race, guns, and COVID-19" explains all of the most important aspects of what happened in 2020.

A multivocal, comprehensive look at violent death as it relates to humanitarian crises. Review of: Anthropology of Violent Death: Theoretical Foundations for Forensic Humanitarian Action. By Roberto C.Parra, Douglas H.Ubelaker (Eds.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. 2023. (hardback). ISBN: 9781119806363

A multivocal, comprehensive look at violent death as it relates to humanitarian crises. Review of: Anthropology of Violent Death: Theoretical Foundations for Forensic Humanitarian Action. By Roberto C.Parra, Douglas H.Ubelaker (Eds.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. 2023. (hardback). ISBN: 9781119806363

Trauma Profile of Homicide Victims at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Highlights: Most homicide victims were predominantly in the productive age range of 21-40 years old. Males were more likely to be homicide victims than females. Abstract Introduction: The injuries of homicide victims are clues in forensic medicine to uncover a possible crime. In Indonesia, there are not many studies on trauma profiles, specifically in homicide cases. This study aimed to provide an overview of the trauma profile of homicide victims at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya. Methods: This was a descriptive study. Secondary data was collected from 34 forensic examination reports at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya. Data such as age, sex, type of injury, sites of injury, number of injuries, cause of death, and mechanism of death were analyzed statistically. Results: Most victims were between 21 and 30 years old and 31 and 40 years old (26.47%). Sex was dominated by men (76.47%). The most common type of injury was abrasion (25.71%). The most common injury sites were head-neck (34.34%) and chest-upper back (34.34%). The most common number of injuries was ≥10 (44.12%). The most common cause of death was sharp-force trauma (54.54%), and the most common mechanism of death was exsanguination (54.54%). Conclusion: Males predominated in the age ranges of 21 to 30 years old and 31 to 40 years old. The most common type of injury was abrasion. The most common sites of injury were the head, neck, and chest upper back. The most common number of injuries was ≥10. Most victims died of sharp-force trauma. Exsanguination was the most common mechanism of death.

25-Year fatal workplace suicide trends in North Carolina: 1992-2017.

Suicide is a serious public health problem in the United States, but limited evidence is available investigating fatal suicides at work. There is a substantial need to characterize workplace suicides to inform suicide prevention interventions and target high-risk settings. This study aims to examine workplace suicide rates in North Carolina (NC) by worker characteristics, means of suicide used, and industry between 1992 and 2017. Fatal workplace suicides were identified from records of the NC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner system and the NC death certificate. Sex, age, race, ethnicity, class of worker, manner of death, and industry were abstracted. Crude and age-standardized homicide rates were calculated as the number of suicides that occurred at work divided by an estimate of worker-years (w-y). Rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and trends over calendar time for fatal workplace suicides were examined overall and by industry. 81 suicides over 109,464,430 w-y were observed. Increased rates were observed in workers who were male, self-employed, and 65+ years old. Firearms were the most common means of death (63%) followed by hanging (16%). Gas service station workers experienced the highest fatal occupational suicide rate, 11.5 times (95% CI: 3.62-36.33) the overall fatal workplace suicide rate, followed by Justice, Public Order, and Safety workers at 3.23 times the overall rate (95% CI: 1.31-7.97). Our findings identify industries and worker demographics that were vulnerable to workplace suicides. Targeted and tailored mitigation strategies for vulnerable industries and workers are recommended.

Beyond the virus: Examining the impact of COVID-19 on violent fatalities

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on various aspects of society, including crime rates. In Serbia, it is important to examine the changes in violent deaths before and during the pandemic to inform public health and safety policies. Materials and methodsWe conducted a retrospective, epidemiological, cross-sectional analytical study of medico-legal autopsies in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at the University Clinical Center of Kragujevac. Our study sample comprises all forensic autopsy cases examined from January 2017 to December 2019 (151 cases), labeled as “Before,” and from January 2020 to December 2022 (192 cases), labeled as “During” the pandemic period. Natural deaths, skeletal remains, and undetermined cases were excluded from our sample. ResultsThe data show an increase in the total number of incidents reported from 152 in the “Before” period to 191 in the “During” period. The proportion of incidents involving males remained relatively stable at around 70%, while the proportion of incidents involving females increased. There was no statistically significant change in the proportion of incidents classified as accidental, while the proportion of incidents classified as homicide and suicide increased. The results show a statistically significant association between gender and incident type for both the “Before” and “During” periods. Deaths due to domestic violence have increased by 22.2% during the pandemic, which is cause for concern. In terms of demographic characteristics, males and younger individuals were more likely to be victims of violent deaths both before and during the pandemic. ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on violent deaths in the Šumadija region (Central Serbia), with an overall increase in the number of violent deaths and a major impact on deaths due to domestic violence. Policies to address domestic violence should be prioritized during the pandemic and beyond, and strategies should be developed to mitigate the effects of future pandemics or lockdowns.