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Test of Verkko's Static and Dynamic 'Laws' of Sex and Homicide

NCJ Number
84363
Journal
International Journal of Women's Studies Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (March/April 1981) Pages: 173-180
Author(s)
W Wilbanks
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed homicide victimization data available in United Nations publications to test Verkko's static and dynamic laws of sex and homicide and found that the basic premise of the two laws is false.
Abstract
In 1951, Veli Verkko formulated his static and dynamic laws. These laws stated that the female rate for crimes against persons remains stable both across countries and in one country over time, and that variation in the overall rate cross sectionally and longitudinally is a function of differences in the male rate. The basic premise of the two laws (that the female rate remains stable across countries and over time in one country) was found to be false, though the overall homicide rate did prove to be a good predictor of the female/male rate ratio. However, it was not the only, nor the best, predictor. Two tables and 10 references are included. (Author abstract modified)

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