NCJ Number
143457
Editor(s)
H Strang,
S A Gerull
Date Published
1993
Length
284 pages
Annotation
Papers in this conference report present data and experiences regarding homicides in Australia.
Abstract
The papers indicate that Australia's homicide rate is above that of many European nations, and certain parts of Australia are now experiencing homicide rates that approach those of cities in the United States. The effects of environment, race, gender, and relationships on the incidence and character of homicide are examined. Locations for homicides are studied as factors in the crime, notably pubs and clubs. Other issues discussed include intellectually disabled offenders, the sentencing of homicide offenders, the abolition of life imprisonment for murder, and the rising number of murder trials. Perspectives on homicide are offered from the police, forensic psychiatrists, and pathologists; the controversial issues of firearms law reform and gun control are also addressed. One recommendation from the conference is that all Australian police agencies should move as quickly as possible to computerize their databases on both calls for service and criminal offense reports, so as to permit the identification of sites of chronic violence. Another recommendation is that the proposals of the National Committee on Violence with respect to firearms should be endorsed by Australian governments as soon as possible. Accompanying data tables, bibliographies, references, and a subject index