NCJ Number
182517
Journal
Homicide Studies Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2000 Pages: 162-184
Date Published
May 2000
Length
23 pages
Annotation
Data from 9,442 homicides in Los Angeles County during 1990-94 formed the basis of an analysis of whether immigrants are more involved than are native-born persons in homicide.
Abstract
The research took into account population structure differences of the two groups to avoid attributing to nativity the risk associated with age, gender, and ethnicity. Results revealed that immigrants are at a slightly higher risk of becoming a homicide victim than are native-born persons. However, offense rates are difficult to interpret because no suspect was identified in 42.3 percent of the homicides. The analysis of data from known suspects revealed that persons born in the United States are 1.29 times more likely than foreign-born persons to commit homicide. However, the nature of the homicides of immigrants and by immigrants are, with some exceptions, substantially similar to the homicides of natives and by natives. Further research needs to provide more and better data to inform policy. Tables, notes, and 35 references (Author abstract modified)