NCJ Number
238645
Date Published
2011
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This report presents data and information on homicide in California and its victims, along with demographic data for persons arrested for homicide; and information is provided on the number of persons sentenced to death, the number of peace officers killed in the line of duty, and justifiable homicide.
Abstract
From 2009 to 2010, the number of homicides per 100,000 population in California decreased 7.8 percent (5.1 to 4.7). This is the fifth consecutive year of decline. Comparing 2001 to 2010, the homicide crime rate decreased 25.4 percent (6.3 to 4.7). The homicide clearance rate, the percentage of crimes reported that have been cleared, has increased for the fifth consecutive year. In 2010, 80.3 percent of homicide victims were male; 19.7 percent were female; 44.5 percent of homicide victims were Hispanic, 29.6 percent were Black, 18.2 percent were White, and 7.4 percent were categorized as "other." Females were more likely to be killed in their residence, and males were more likely to be killed on streets or sidewalks. When the victim-offender relationship was identified, the largest proportion of victims (44.4 percent) were killed by friends or acquaintances; however, a greater percentage of Black victims were killed by strangers than were White or Hispanic victims (47.7 compared to 25.4 percent and 35.4 percent, respectively). Where the weapon was known the majority (71.2 percent) involved a firearm. From 2001 to 2010, the overwhelming majority of homicide arrestees and victims were male. From 2001 to 2010, the largest percentage of homicide arrestees and victims were Hispanic. By the end of 2010, there were 709 persons under a death sentence. Of these, 34 were sentenced in 2010. Four California peace officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty in 2010. 43 tables