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Contents of Homicide
trends in the U.S.
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Homicide
trends in the U.S.
Trends by race
Racial
differences exist, with blacks disproportionately represented among homicide
victims and offenders
In 2005, homicide victimization rates for blacks were 6 times higher
than the rates for whites.
To view data, click on the chart.
[D]
For more information about racial patterns in violent victimization
see Key Facts
at a Glance.
In 2005, offending rates for blacks were more than 7 times higher than the
rates for whites
To view data, click on the chart.
[D]
The race distribution of homicide victims and offenders differs by
type of homicide
For the years 1976-2005 combined -
- Black victims are over represented in homicides involving
drugs. Compared with the overall involvement of blacks as victims, blacks
are less often the victims of sex-related homicides, workplace killings,
and homicide by poison.
- Race patterns among offenders are similar to those among victims.
Homicide Type by Race, 1976-2005
|
|
Victims |
|
Offenders |
|
White |
Black |
Other |
|
White |
Black |
Other |
|
All homicides |
50.9% |
46.9% |
2.1% |
|
45.8% |
52.2% |
2.0% |
Victim/offender relationship |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intimate |
56.6% |
41.2% |
2.2% |
|
54.4% |
43.4% |
2.2% |
|
Family |
60.7% |
36.9% |
2.4% |
|
59.2% |
38.5% |
2.3% |
|
Infanticide |
55.9% |
41.6% |
2.5% |
|
55.4% |
42.1% |
2.5% |
|
Eldercide |
69.2% |
29.1% |
1.6% |
|
54.5% |
43.8% |
1.6% |
Circumstances |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Felony murder |
54.7% |
42.7% |
2.6% |
|
39.1% |
59.3% |
1.6% |
|
Sex related |
66.9% |
30.5% |
2.5% |
|
54.7% |
43.4% |
1.9% |
|
Drug related |
37.4% |
61.6% |
.9% |
|
33.9% |
65.0% |
1.1% |
|
Gang related |
57.5% |
39.0% |
3.5% |
|
54.3% |
41.2% |
4.4% |
|
Argument |
48.6% |
49.3% |
2.1% |
|
46.8% |
51.1% |
2.2% |
|
Workplace |
84.6% |
12.2% |
3.2% |
|
70.5% |
26.7% |
2.8% |
Weapon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gun homicide |
47.2% |
50.9% |
1.9% |
|
41.9% |
56.4% |
1.7% |
|
Arson |
58.9% |
38.1% |
2.9% |
|
55.7% |
42.0% |
2.3% |
|
Poison |
80.6% |
16.9% |
2.5% |
|
79.8% |
18.4% |
1.8% |
Multiple victims
or offenders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Multiple victims |
63.4% |
33.2% |
3.3% |
|
55.7% |
40.8% |
3.5% |
|
Multiple offenders |
54.8% |
42.5% |
2.7% |
|
44.6% |
53.0% |
2.4% |
Although slightly less true now than before,
most murders are intraracial
From 1976 to 2005 --
- 86% of white victims were killed by whites
- 94% of black victims were killed by blacks
To view data, click on the chart.
[D]
Stranger homicides are more likely to cross racial lines than those
that involve friends or acquaintances
For homicides committed by --
- a friend or acquaintance of the victim, less than one-tenth (8%) were interracial
- a stranger to the victim, one-quarter were interracial
To view data, click on the chart.
[D]
Source: FBI, Supplementary Homicide Reports, 1976-2005.
See also Additional information about the data.
Note: The victims of the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks are not included in this analysis.
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