In 1986, the homicide rate dropped sharply to 2.2 per 100,000 population, the lowest level since 1971. Homicides make up a small proportion of all reported violent crimes and all non-natural deaths. Homicide rates in Canada are generally highest in the West and lowest in the Atlantic region. Throughout the 1975-1985 period, about 10 percent of homicides involved handguns each year. Between one-quarter to one-third involved alcohol or drugs. The police laid charges against the accused in 76 percent of 1986's homicides, a high rate compared to other violent crimes. The majority of homicide suspects are young men. Historically, over one-third of homicide victims have been women and about two-thirds men. In only 25 percent of the homicide cases were the victim and suspect strangers. Almost half the homicides in 1986 occurred in the victim's home. The article also covers homicide as defined in the criminal code and data on police and correctional officers murdered. Graphs.