Newfoundland enjoys one of the lowest homicide rates in North America. During the period under study there were 45 homicides in the province, with an average homicide rate of 0.74 per 100,000 persons. A positive blood alcohol was found in almost 54 percent of victims tested but varied with the sex of the victim and the method of homicide. Illicit drug use was not detected in any victim. The majority of victims knew their assailant, and the most frequent location of a homicide was the victim's home. There were two justifiable homicides during the study period. Sharp-force homicide was the most prevalent form of homicide, followed by blunt force and then firearms. Based upon the results of this study, one cannot conclude with certainty that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for becoming a homicide victim. The consistent absence of street drugs in the body fluids of homicide victims suggests that the deaths were unrelated to the drug culture. Finally, the study confirmed that one is more likely to be killed by an acquaintance than by a stranger, and unlikely to be killed during the commission of a felony. Figures, tables, references