NCJ Number
172095
Journal
Homicide Studies Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1997) Pages: 17-34
Date Published
1997
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article examines the relationship between Latino victims and offenders, along with Anglos and blacks, and other homicide event characteristics in Miami, Florida.
Abstract
Previous homicide research has largely ignored the Latino population, despite the large numbers of Latinos in most urban areas of the United States. Incorporating a Latino category, as in this study, extends an understanding of urban homicides by acknowledging that killings among three ethnic groups vary by victim or offender ethnicity, in addition to factors such as type of weapon used. Despite a constant flow of Latino immigrants and declining homicide rates throughout the 1980s, contemporary Miami is characterized by a high rate of black homicides, particularly black-on-black killings. One similarity of note between Latino and black killings is the large fraction of incidents involving guns. This may be related to the younger age structure of the Latino and black populations. Research consistently shows that younger persons are more likely to be offenders and victims in gun-related events. Notes, tables, references