NCJ Number
139214
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 34 Issue: 3-4 Dated: special issue (July-October 1992) Pages: 387-402
Date Published
1992
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This descriptive analysis summarizes the findings of three 1987 reports to Canada's Solicitor General that evaluated 23 years of homicide data from 1962 to 1984 and compared aboriginals to other Canadians.
Abstract
Two independent variables were employed, gender and race; race was dichotomized as aboriginal Canadians versus all other Canadians with an identifiable race. The three units of analysis included homicide victims, homicides involving juvenile suspects, and homicides involving adult suspects. Data on intraracial and interracial homicides and on court processing of adult suspects were also obtained. Findings confirmed that race and gender of both victims and suspects were often associated with age, victim-suspect relationships, alcohol involvement, and means of offense. Aboriginal persons had conviction rates similar to other Canadians but were disproportionately convicted of manslaughter and received much shorter sentences than other offenders convicted of a homicide offense. There was no evidence of discrimination against aboriginal offenders in court processing. 11 references, 2 notes, and 8 tables