Number of homicides by victim/offender relationship, 1976-2005
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For intimate related homicides, the number began at 2,892 in 1976 and decreased to a low of 1,486 in 2003. After 2003, the number climbed, reaching 1,510 in 2005.
For homicides of nonintimate family members, the number began at 1,754 in 1976 and decreased to 1,712 in 1977. Then the number increased to 1,904 in 1981, before decreasing to 1,228 in 2000. It then rose to 1,301 in 2003, before decreasing to 1,242 in 2005.
For homicides of friends or acquaintances, the number began at 7,018 in 1976 and climbed to 7,022 in 1977. Then the number decreased to 6,645 in 1978, before rising, reaching 7,683 in 1981. Then it dropped to 6,491 in 1984, before increasing to a high of 7,875 in 1990. The number then decreased to 4,040 in 2001, before rising to 4,346 in 2003. After 2003, it decreased to 4,082 in 2005.
For homicides involving strangers, the number began at 2,635 in 1976 and fell to 2,565 in 1977. Then the number increased to a high of 3,559 in 1982, before dropping to 2,541 in 1988. Then it increased to 3,733 in 1991, before decreasing to 1,837 in 1999. After 1999, the number increased to 2,319 in 2005.
For homicides where the relationship was undetermined, the number began at 4,481 in 1976 and increased to 9,602 in 1993. Then the number decreased to 6,170 in 1999, before rising, reaching 7,540 in 2005.