Conference participants included scholars, scientists, and professionals from the fields of epidemiology, pathology, psychiatry, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, and public safety. The authors examine the prevalence of homicide, the circumstances under which it occurs, offender and victim characteristics, and causes and prevention. They also consider violence and homicide as parts of the same continuum of behavior. Specific papers examine domestic violence, sexual violence, mass murder, serial murder, sensational homicide, drug-related homicide, and the role of gun control. Cross-national comparisons, trends over time, the role of homicide in the decline of American cities, and possible medical and legal deterrents are also explored. Data tables, figures, questions and comments from symposium participants, and reference lists are included for most papers. For individual papers, see NCJ 102798-102812.