NCJ Number
81884
Date Published
Unknown
Length
70 pages
Annotation
Data on homicide in Alabama from 1976 through 1980 cover victim and offender characteristics, weapons used, and circumstances surrounding the homicides.
Abstract
From 1976 through 1980, 2,559 persons were murdered in Alabama. On the average, 512 people a year were killed, producing an average homicide rate of 14.1 murders per 100,000 people. Twenty-three out of every 100 homicides had victims 18 to 25 years-old. Fifty percent of the homicide victims were black males, and 57 percent of the incidents involved black victims and black offenders. Twenty-eight percent involved white victims and white offenders. In 7 percent of the homicides, the offender was not known. Seventy-six percent of the homicide victims were killed by use of a firearm, with 53 percent of the homicides involving handguns. Eighty percent of the victims were acquainted with or related to the offender. Twenty percent of the incidents involved an offender who was a stranger to the victim, an unknown offender, or an unrevealed relationship between offender and victim. Arguments preceded 68 percent of the homicides. All data were obtained from the Supplemental Homicide Report submitted by law enforcement agencies to Alabama's Uniform Crime Reporting System. Data on the number of homicides and the homicide rate by county are appended, along with the average for each county and the mean rate. (Author summary modified)