A population-based study of homicide deaths in Ontario, Canada using linked death records (original) (raw)
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SSM - Population Health, 2019
In this ecological study, we attempt to quantify the extent to which differences in homicide and suicide death rates between three countries, and among states/provinces within those countries, may be explained by differences in their social, economic, and structural characteristics. We examine the relationship between state/ province level measures of societal risk factors and state/province level rates of violent death (homicide and suicide) across Australia, Canada, and the United States. Census and mortality data from each of these three countries were used. Rates of societal level characteristics were assessed and included residential instability, selfemployment, income inequality, gender economic inequity, economic stress, alcohol outlet density, and employment opportunities). Residential instability, self-employment, and income inequality were associated with rates of both homicide and suicide and gender economic inequity was associated with rates of suicide only. This study opens lines of inquiry around what contributes to the overall burden of violence-related injuries in societies and provides preliminary findings on potential societal characteristics that are associated with differences in injury and violence rates across populations.
Ottawa Homicide Project: A Review of Cases from 2010-2020
Victimology Research Centre, Algonquin College, 2021
Every homicide is a tragedy for a family and our community. This report provides an overview of homicide cases in Ottawa from 2010-2020. It is intended to inform community stakeholders about patterns and evolving trends to assist with planning prevention and meeting the needs of people affected by homicide. The analysis was conducted by reviewing media reports of all homicides in Ottawa from 2010- 2020. Cases were added to a spreadsheet where key information was collected on each homicide, including the age, gender, and ethnocultural backgrounds of victims and known suspects, the locations of each offence, the use of a weapon, and other contextual data such as the relationship between the victim and suspect. Our dataset was then independently verified by two Staff Sergeants with the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) to ensure that our information was aligned with police records. Following this verification, addresses for each case were uploaded into ArcGIS to develop crime maps for geographic analysis. Our findings include information on prevalence, demographics, context, partner and family homicide, weapons, geography, characteristics of suspects, and unsolved cases.
Epidemiologic Characteristics of Primary Homicides in the United States
American Journal of Epidemiology, 1983
Homicide is one of the five leading causes of death for all persons 1-44 years of age. Over half of the homicides occurring in 1979 did not involve the perpetration of another crime. The authors have defined these as primary homicides and suggest that these deaths require the formulation of public health and social services prevention strategies. An epidemiologic assessment of primary homicides In the United States for 1976 through 1979 showed the following. Sixty per cent of primary homicides were male victim/male offender events; 40% involved a female as a victim and/or as an offender. Three per cent of primary homicides were female victim/female offender events; 97% involved a male as a victim and/or as an offender. Primary homicides involving female victims or offenders were more frequently intrafamllial than those involving males, but rates of Intrafamlllal homicides by males were greater than those Involving females. The preponderance of all primary homicides occurred between acquaintances, but the relationship between victim and offender varied with age, sex, and race. The weapons used varied with the victim's and offender's age, sex, and race, and with the relationship between victim and offender. Based on the described patterns, prevention measures should be divided Into three broad areas: Intrafamlllal violence, extrafamilial violence, and male patterns of aggression. Key target populations for the first area Include females, rural households, and the very young or very old. A key target population for the second area is teenage males. homicide; public health; violence
Frontiers in Public Health, 2022
Introduction: Italy has one of the lowest homicide rates in Europe. However, while it is decreasing overall, the proportion of murdered women is increasing. This study aimed to analyze the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics associated with homicide mortality in Italy, focusing specifically on male and female differences. Methods: Using a longitudinal design, the Italian 2011 General Census population was followed up to 2018. Deaths from homicide were retrieved by a record linkage with the Causes of Death Register. Age-standardized mortality rates, stratified by sex, citizenship, education, and geographic area of residence were calculated. The association between sociodemographic characteristics and homicide mortality was evaluated using quasi-Poisson regression models. Results: Between 2012 and 2018, 1,940 homicides were recorded in Italy: 53% were females over age 55, 10% were immigrant females, 34% were males aged 40-54 years, 76% had a medium-low education level, and 57% lived in the South and Islands. Foreign citizenship increased a female's risk of dying from homicide (adjusted rate ratio (RRadj): 1.85; 95% CI: 1.54-2.23), while no differences between Italian and immigrant males were found. An inverse association between education and mortality was observed for both sexes, stronger for males (RRadj: 3.68; 95% CI: 3.10-4.36, low vs. high) than for females (RRadj: 1.38; 95%CI: 1.17-1.62, low vs. high). Moreover, a male residing in the South or the Islands had almost 2.5 times the risk of dying from homicide than a resident in the NorthWest. Finally, old age (over 75) increased a female's risk of being murdered, whereas the highest risk for males was observed for those aged 25-54 years. Conclusions: Male and female differences in homicide mortality profiles by age were expected, but the results by residence, citizenship, and education highlight that living in disadvantaged socioeconomic contexts increases the risk of dying from homicide, suggesting the need to implement specific prevention and intervention strategies.
Homicide Trends in the United States
Demography, 1980
Unlike most other causes of death, homicide has been increasing in the United States, especially since the mid-1960s. Its impact is greatest among nonwhite men. The elimination of homicide would add approximately one and one-half years to their life span. This analysis examines trends and differentials using vital statistics data about homicide victims. A decomposition of components of change reveals that almost all of the rise in homicide mortality among nonwhites and a substantial fraction of the rise among whites results from the increasing use of firearms to kill people.
Violent Death Rates: The United States Compared to Other High-Income OECD Countries, 2010
The American journal of medicine, 2015
Violent death is a serious problem in the US. Previous research showing US rates of violent death compared with other high-income countries used data that are more than a decade old. We examined 2010 mortality data obtained from the WHO for populous, high-income countries (n=23). Death rates per 100,000 population were calculated for each country and for the aggregation of all non-US countries overall and by age and sex. Tests of significance were performed using Poisson and negative binomial regressions. US homicide rates were 7.0 times higher than other high-income countries, driven by a gun homicide rate that was 25.2 times higher. For 15-24 year olds, the gun homicide rate in the US was 49.0 times higher. Firearm-related suicide rates were 8.0 times higher in the US but our overall suicide rates were average. Unintentional firearm deaths were 6.2 times higher in the US. The overall firearm death rate in the US from all causes was 10.0 times higher. Ninety percent of women, 91% o...
2018
This study documents the number of domestic homicides in Canada between 2010 and 2015 based on court and media reports. This research has been done as part of a five-year, SSHRC-funded project entitled The Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations (CDHPIVP). The project has academic and community partners across Canada who are focused on promoting collaborative, cross-sectoral research to identify unique individual and community-level risk factors that may increase exposure to domestic violence and domestic homicide for specific populations. This report is a painful reminder that domestic violence is a major public health, social, and criminal issue that affects thousands of Canadians. We highlight several cases to remind the reader of the lives lost to domestic violence and the family and friends left behind. This report is limited by the information available from court decisions and media reports. In the next phase of our grant we will be working with provincial and territorial coroners and medical examiners to ensure that we have captured reliable information on all Canadian domestic homicides. We will be working with domestic violence death review committees to examine emerging trends and recommendations across the country. This report has a focus on four vulnerable populations who appear to be at greater risk of domestic homicide due to historical oppression and/or lack of access to resources because of isolation through factors such as geography, language, culture, age and poverty. We prioritized four populations as a first step: (1) Indigenous populations; (2) immigrant and refugee populations; (3) rural, remote, and northern populations; and (4) children killed in the context of domestic violence. Each of these populations experience factors that enhance their vulnerability to domestic violence and domestic homicide and exacerbate the negative mental and physical health consequences of this violence. These groups face significant challenges in finding services and safety. Future reports will help identify and inform priorities for future practice, policy, and research. The overall mission is to develop and implement more nuanced and appropriate population-specific, culturally-informed practices and policies. Our growing knowledge base needs to be translated into action in the field to support victims and service providers to assess and manage risk as well as to promote safety planning. The challenge across the country is realizing these goals for vulnerable populations in a manner that addresses existing inequities and increases access to resources and services. From 2010-2015 in Canada, there were 418 cases of domestic homicide involving 476 victims. There were 427 adult victims (90%) and 49 victims aged 17 and younger (10%). Females comprised 79 percent of the adult victims and males were 21 percent of adult victims. Among victims aged 17 and younger, females represented 53 percent of the victims and males were 47 percent of victims. The majority of adult victims were 25 to 34 years of age (28%). The average age was 39 years. Among child victims, ages ranged from less than one year to 13 years old, with an average age of six years. There were 443 accused identified in the 418 cases of domestic homicide. The majority of accused were male (86%). Of the 443 accused, 21 percent committed suicide and another seven percent attempted suicide following the homicide. The majority of the accused were aged 25 to 34 years (25%) with an average age of 40 years. The majority of victims were in a current intimate relationship with the accused (61%) and 26 percent were separated or estranged. Among 61 percent of cases in which the victim and accused were in a current relationship, 21 percent had evidence that separation was imminent or pending. Of those, the majority involved female victims and male accused (91%). Thirty-seven children were killed within the context of the domestic homicide; 70 percent were biological children of the victim and/or accused and 24 percent involved stepchildren.
Violent death rates in the US compared to those of the other high-income countries, 2015
Preventive Medicine
Violence is a serious public health issue in the U.S. This research compares the US and other high-income countries in terms of violent death. We used data from the World Health Organization for populous, high-income countries. Data from CDC's WISQARS and WONDER systems were used to assess mortality data among US white and non-white populations and in low-, medium-, and high-gun states in 2015. Death rates per 100,000 population were calculated overall, by age, and by sex. Poisson and negative binomial regression were used to test for significance. The homicide rate in the US was 7.5 times higher than the homicide rate in the other high-income countries combined, which was largely attributable to a firearm homicide rate that was 24.9 times higher. The overall firearm death rate was 11.4 times higher in the US than in other high-income countries. In this dataset, 83.7% of all firearm deaths, 91.6% of women killed by guns, and 96.7% of all children aged 0-4 years killed by guns were from the US.