NCJ Number
211711
Date Published
2005
Length
58 pages
Annotation
This report presents data on homicides in Australia for the 2003-2004 fiscal year.
Abstract
In 1990, the national homicide monitoring program (NHMP) was established within the Australian Institute of Criminology to collect information about homicide in the country. The goal of the collection and analysis process of the NHMP is to inform public discussion and policy related to violence in Australia. This 2003-2004 report offers information about the characteristics of homicide victims and perpetrators, as well as the circumstances of the crimes. Jurisdictional breakdowns allow for the comparison of data to previous years. Overall in fiscal year 2003-2004, there were 288 homicides reported to police, involving 310 offenders and 305 victims, representing a slight decrease from the number of homicides reported in 2002-2003. Both victims and perpetrators of homicide in 2003-2004 were more likely to be male, to be aged in their 30s, and to know one another. A full 57 percent of homicides occurred in residential settings and the most common weapon used was a knife, comprising 32 percent of incidents, while firearms were used in only 17 percent of homicide incidents. Results of toxicology screenings indicated that a higher proportion of male victims, in comparison to female victims, used alcohol or illicit drugs at the time of the homicide incident. The report also describes the characteristics of different types of homicides, including intimate partner homicide, child homicide, acquaintance homicide, and stranger homicide. Figures, tables, references