The Working Group was formed in 1991 to work toward: (1) more efficient sharing of techniques for measuring and analyzing homicide; (2) forging links between research, epidemiology and practical programs to reduce levels of mortality from violence; (3) improving data quality and linking of homicide data sources; (4) collaborative, interdisciplinary research on lethal and nonlethal violence; (5) establishing a communication network among those collecting, maintaining and analyzing homicide data sets; and (6) building a stronger working relationship among homicide researchers. The Working Group has 250 members representing 14 countries. The membership is about evenly split between academics and practitioners and the group has developed social mechanisms to discourage didactic lectures and encourage active group participation and problem-solving workshops. The Group is not affiliated with any particular professional organization, but its start-up was aided by the American Society of Criminology and by funds from the National Institute of Justice. Notes