NCJ Number
76183
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 8 Issue: 6 Dated: (1980) Pages: 379-385
Date Published
1981
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The characteristics of homicide data from 50 of the largest United States cities for the years 1976 and 1977 were compared to those of similar data from the years 1971 and 1972.
Abstract
Methods by which the data were collected are not described. It is reported that the lifetime murder victimization risk did not appreciably decrease during the course of the 1970's. During both periods, homicides were committed at a rate of 1 in 70 urban residents. During the last sample period, risk increased among nonblacks, females, and those living in western cities, and decreased among blacks, males, and those living in cities outside the West. Because decreases in the prime offender group size are accompanied by corresponding decreases in the prime victim group size, birth rate declines cannot be expected to significantly affect the homicide rate. While the overall risk rate remained constant over the investigation period, the rate of variance between subgroups (black and nonblacks, males and females) declined. During the 1970's, these cities experienced nearly 100,000 homicides. Tabular data, notes, and seven references are provided. An appendix includes a discussion of murder victim probability calculation methods.