NCJ Number
219100
Journal
Homicide Studies Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2007 Pages: 94-114
Date Published
May 2007
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study used data from 1966 through 1995 in examining whether the factors commonly identified in homicide clearance (arrest of a suspect) research as being related to clearance are consistent across time, whether these factors are linked to the decline in homicide clearance rates over the past three decades in Chicago, and how community characteristics are related to homicide clearances across time.
Abstract
Factors in homicide clearances that remained consistent over time were the victim's age; bodies found in homes or public areas; and circumstances that involved gangs or drugs, money, sexual relationships, or domestic relationships. There was variability over time in the link between clearance and the victim's gender, race, prior arrest record, bodies found in vehicles, firearm use, and associated crimes. Dramatic increases in the number and proportion of homicides that involved African-American or Latino victims were some of the most important changes in homicide events that might explain the overall decline in clearance rates across time in Chicago. Cases with either African-American or Latino victims had a significant negative relationship with homicide clearance in the most recent time period and a weaker or no relationship in the first two periods. Also, firearm use in homicides increased 13.6 percent over time and had a strong negative relationship with clearances in the most recent time period. The most important community-related variable in homicide clearances over the study period was area economic disadvantage. Future research on homicide clearance should use longitudinal analyses whenever possible. This tests the time-related influence of variables on homicide clearance rates. Study data came from the Victim-Level Chicago Homicide Dataset for individual-level data and U.S. Census information for community-level data. 2 tables, 5 notes, and 56 references