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Is there such a thing as 'Facebook Murder'?

A recent investigation explored whether Facebook murders were unique and worthy of a new label. The study found that these crimes followed typical patterns, with victims knowing their killers, and social media played no more significant role than other tools in the commission of violence.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Howard Journal of Criminal Justice·DateNov 13, 2014

The Lancet Psychiatry: Mental health patients more than twice as likely to be victims of homicide than the general public

A national study reveals that mental health patients are two and a half times more likely to be victims of homicide than the general public. The study found that 6% of homicide victims had been under mental health care in the year preceding their death, with many cases involving substance misuse and a history of violence.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·DateJun 17, 2014

Impact on mummy skull suggests murder

The study found evidence of severe Chagas disease and suggests that the young Incan girl may have been victim of ritual homicide. The analysis of her mummy revealed massive skull and face trauma, indicating a pre-mortem injury, which is similar to previously described South American mummies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 26, 2014

Repeal of Missouri's background check law associated with increase in state's murders

A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Missouri's 2007 handgun purchaser licensing law repeal contributed to a fourteen percent increase in the state's murder rate. The repeal was also associated with an additional 49 to 68 murders per year and a twenty-five percent increase in firearm homicides rates.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateFeb 15, 2014

Shadowy world of Britain's discount hitmen revealed in new study

A new study reveals the shadowy world of Britain's discount hitmen, with victims often murdered while walking their dogs or shopping in suburban neighborhoods. The study identifies four main types of contract killers, including novice, dilettante, journeyman, and master hitmen.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Howard Journal of Criminal Justice·DateJan 27, 2014

Embargoed news: Evidence that access to guns increases suicide and homicide

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that access to firearms significantly increases the odds of being a victim of suicide or homicide. The researchers also found that uninsured patients are less likely to be transferred between hospitals for certain medical diagnoses, with women being 35-40% less likely to be transferred than men.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 20, 2014

Study finds social networks are key to city violence

A Yale University study reveals that a person's social network is a key predictor of becoming a victim of gun homicide, even more so than race, age, gender, or poverty. The research found that individuals within the same social network are more likely to engage in similar risky behaviors.

SourceYale University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateNov 14, 2013

New research shows link between rates of gun ownership and homicides

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers finds a robust correlation between estimated levels of gun ownership and actual gun homicides at the state level. The study, covering 30 years, found that each 1 percentage point increase in gun ownership is associated with a 0.9% increase in firearm homicide rate.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateSep 12, 2013

Characteristics of family killers revealed by first taxonomy study

A study analyzing three decades of British 'family annihilator' cases reveals four new types of male-dominated family killers, each with unique characteristics and motivations. The study found that August was the most common month for killings to take place, and stabbings were the most common murder method.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Howard Journal of Criminal Justice·DateAug 15, 2013

Neighborhoods -- not immigrants -- determining factor for homicides

A new study published in The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science found that neighborhood characteristics, such as disadvantage and residential stability, have a significant impact on violent crime rates. Immigrant populations were not linked to higher levels of lethal violence.

SourceSAGE·JournalThe Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science·DateApr 25, 2012

Canadian police agencies suppressing data on race, says criminology study

A recent study by University of Toronto and Nipissing criminologists reveals that Canadian police departments largely do not report race in practice, despite only 20% having an explicit policy against it. This suppression of data hinders the development of effective initiatives to improve relations with racialized communities.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCanadian Journal of Law and Society / Revue Canadienne Droit et Société·DateFeb 1, 2012

Racial stereotyping found in US death certificates

A study found that US death certificates exhibit racial stereotyping, with discrepancies in racial classifications varying across the population. The researchers' review of 22,905 death certificates revealed patterns reflecting long-running stereotypes about violence and alcoholism.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 26, 2011

Seasonality of child abuse a myth

A new study of child homicides found that fatalities are evenly distributed across all months, contradicting widespread notions of increased risk during winter holidays. Experts emphasize that prevention efforts should be a year-round priority, as common stressors on caregivers like tantrums and accidents occur throughout the year.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJun 21, 2010

Violent crime 'race gap' narrows, but persists in US

A new study by the University of Maryland and other institutions found that the racial gap in violent crime has narrowed, but still exists, particularly in communities with higher rates of divorce, unemployment, and drug use. The study analyzed data from 80 US cities between 1960 and 2000 and found that the gap most pronounced in these...

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateMar 8, 2010

Women, more than men, choose true crime over other violent nonfiction

A new study found that women overwhelmingly choose to read true stories about serial killings and random murders, whereas men are more likely to choose books about war or gang violence. Women prefer true crime stories over violent nonfiction because they provide information that could help them avoid potential attackers.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateFeb 15, 2010