Women who are Murdered: An Analysis of 912 Consecutive Victims

Abstract

This study analyzes all female homicide victims (912) in the State of North Carolina during the five year period 1972 through 1976. Verkko's static and dynamic laws of the relationship between sex and homicide victimization are investigated. The static law states that in places where homicide rates are high, female victimization tends to be low. The dynamic law holds that increases or decreases in the frequency of homicide primarily affects the male population. The findings do not support either of Verkko's laws. The sex ratio of homicide victims in North Carolina, a state with an above average homicide rate, is lower than that for the U.S. in general. The rate of victimization for both females and males has declined about the same percentage over the five years studied. Further analysis of individual characteristics of the victims and circumstances which surrounded the death scene itself are provided. Comparisons are made between female homicide victims and their male counterparts. Profiles of typical and atypical female homicides are drawn. The trends in homicide victimization over the five years under analysis are discussed.

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