NCJ Number
115822
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 62 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1989) Pages: 43-48
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Data on homicides and suicides in Italy during World War I, World War II, under fascism, and in the years through 1974 considers trends and how they conform to Morselli's analysis of suicide 100 years ago.
Abstract
During the 65 years analyzed, the nation experienced a wide range of conditions in wars and revolutions, together with short periods of peace. Findings indicated that homicides tended to increase when suicides declined. However, both homicides and suicides showed great cyclical variations, with homicides generally considerably lower than suicides. The lowest number of homicides occurred in 1966. Suicides rose gradually during most of the 1960's, reaching the most recent peak in 1971 and then declining in subsequent years. The data show a variety of cyclical variations and thus do not support Morselli's concept that homicides and suicides tend to increase steadily with the advance of civilization. Figures and 3 references.