NCJ Number
102800
Journal
Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine Volume: 62 Issue: 5 Dated: (June 1986) Pages: 427-445
Date Published
1986
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Between 1970 and 1979, the homicide rate in Los Angeles almost doubled, mainly because of increasing rates of homicide among black and Hispanic men, according to study data from official records of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office.
Abstract
The data covered 4,950 cases of criminal homicide occurring in the 1970's. Analysis revealed that men were almost four times as likely as women to be homicide victims. Also at higher risk were the population group aged 25-34. Blacks were 5.6 times and Hispanics 2.3 times more likely than whites to be homicide victims. Homicides were most likely to occur in a home, by means of a handgun, as a result of a verbal argument, and between persons knowing one another. Almost half of all victims had consumed alcohol shortly before death. Barbiturates were detected in 7.9 percent of the victims tested. Further research should focus on explaining these patterns and identifying risk factors. Efforts are also needed to increase public awareness of the risks of interpersonal violence and to coordinate and evaluate prevention efforts. Figures, data tables, questions and answers, 5 references.