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Cross-National Variation in Homicides: The Case of Latin America

NCJ Number
155477
Journal
International Criminal Justice Review Volume: 4 Dated: (1994) Pages: 4-22
Author(s)
J L Neapolitan
Date Published
1994
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study includes the Latin American geographic region as a dummy variable in models that include other variables thought to explain cross-national variation in homicides.
Abstract
Homicide rates were obtained from the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) for the period between 1986 and 1990. The results of the analysis consistently showed that the nations of Latin American share high to very high homicide rates and that this variance is not explained by differences from other nations in national characteristics previously shown to explain variation in homicides. The Latin American nations share a common history and heritage that has probably contributed to their having cultural values conducive to violence. While the homicide rates could also be attributed to the region's political turmoil, many Latin American countries that have enjoyed long periods of political stability also have high homicide rates. 7 tables, 6 notes, and 53 references