NCJ Number
193603
Date Published
December 2001
Length
74 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings of a review of the routine information produced by the Home Office regarding the level and nature of homicide in England and Wales.
Abstract
Information on homicide is provided by the police and a number of other agencies, and is processed through the Homicide Index. This is an administrative database that holds details of individual offenses initially recorded as homicide by the police. The review team's major proposal for change was to increase the amount of information collected on each homicide to better reflect current police, policy, and academic interests. The review team made 30 recommendations, including the following: (1) coding of Homicide Index information should be improved within Research Development and Statistics (RDS) by means of clear guidance manuals and precedence guides; (2) paper records covering homicides between 1967 and 1976 should be added to the computer database; (3) steps should be taken to allow easier identification of current corporate manslaughter cases, including those in which named individuals were prosecuted; (4) there should be better targeting of information on homicide--in particular to reach police audiences; and (5) more should be done to assist the police in appreciating the potential of the Homicide Index in helping with general investigation of homicide as well as with "hard to solve" cases. Notes, table, references, annexes