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Murder Clearances and Missing Data

NCJ Number
163883
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: (1996) Pages: 83-102
Author(s)
M Riedel; T A Rinehart
Date Published
1996
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Murder clearances were studied from the viewpoint of victim and event characteristics and missing data patterns, based on data drawn from the Victim Level Murder File maintained by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.
Abstract
The study sample consisted of 3,066 single-victim murders in Chicago between 1987 and 1991. The dependent study variable, murder clearance status, consisted of cleared and uncleared murders. Independent variables included victim age, race, and gender, as well as murder circumstances and weapon used. Results demonstrated that the single most important variable predicting murder clearance was whether the murder involved a concomitant felony. When murders occurred in the context of a suspected felony, robbery, or rape, they was substantially less likely to be cleared than murders involving arguments or brawls. Of the independent variables, only murder circumstances had a substantial direct relation to murder clearance status. Murders of young victims were cleared more often because these victims were less frequently involved in felony murders. As victims aged, the risk of felony murder increased. The analysis of missing data patterns suggested that cases lacking information on murder circumstances may involve both felony and nonfelony murders. 40 references and 7 tables

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