HOMICIDE

This is the killing of one human being by

another ( Encyclopaedia) Britannica). It is a
broad term that includes both legal and illegal
killings. Personnel (military) killing a criminal,
practice of euthan asia in countries where it
legalized.
Homicide remains one of globic public health
menace
 FORMS OF HOMICIDE

• Murder – generally this is the illegal killing of another person with malice
aforethought. ( categorized as
• First degree murder: Murder with a preconceived intention to kill or kill within
special circumstances ( felony murder). Another example is assassination.
• Second degree murder: murder without any preconceived intention of killing. Simiton
to manslaughter.
• Manslaughter: unintentional killing of another person. Also categorized as:
• Voluntary manslaughter – Killing without any premeditation eg. Killing committed in
the heat of passion.
• Involuntary manslaughter – killing by actions that involve a wanton disregard for life
by another
• Vehicular manslaughter – occurs when a person dies in a car accident due to another’s
driver gross negligence.
• Multicide: This includes killing a lot of people at the same time or over a period of
time. Eg. Mass murder, serial , genocide, socio polital killing.
 PREVALENCE OF HOMICIDE

• This data was taken from the United Nations Office on Drugs and
Crime (UNODC). They indicate the 2017 figures.
• 464,000 people were estimated to have been victims of intentional
homicide in 2017.
• Homicide rate by region is America (17.2), Africa (13.0)
• Averagely global homicide rate of 6.1 victims per 100, 000
population.
• About 90% of all homicides recorded world wide were committed by
male perpetrators.
• Men make up almost 80% of all homicide victims recorded
worldwide.
• Ages mostly affected and perpetuates violence is 10-29yrs (42%)
 Major offences
Figures for some offences which were considered most
serious and attracted public concern are given as follows:

OFFENCE YEARS
2015 2016 % CHANGE
Murder 525 549 4.6
Robbery 1,411 1,397 -1.0
Rape 451 497 10.2
Defilement 1,630 1,341 -17.7
Possession, use
& distribution 698 681 -2.4
of narcotics
drugs
 WEAPONRY USED IN HOMICIDE

• 54% of homicide were done using guns

• 24% of homicide using poison/ chemicals.
• 22% of homicide using sharp objects.
 CAUSES OF HOMICIDE IN MALES

• Biological (high testosterone level, reduction in serotonin

levelcimpulsitivity).
• Psychological ( sexual jealousy, desire to control were low
empathy, personality disorders, mental issues).
• Sociological (environmental)- poverty, law and penal system,
subcultural influences, absence of good governance and
effective rule of law.
•  
 PREDISPOSING FACTORS
• Substance abuse
• Unemployment
• Exposine to violence in the family
• Poor parental control
• Broken homes
• Access to firearms
• Quality of or severance
 PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF HOMICIDE

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post- traumatic stress disorder
• Aggression
• Cuilt
• Heightened sense of vulnerability
 PREVENTION

• Life skills and social development programmes designed to help

children & adolescents manage anger & resolve conflict.
• Whole school approaches to violence prevention in educational
facilities.
• Programmes that support parents & teach positive parenting skill
• Therapatic approaches for males at high risk of being involved in
violence.
• Reduce access to alcohol and other narcotile.
• Restrictive firearm licensing
• Community and problem – oriented policing.
• Poverty eradication processes.
 REFERENCES

• Rierdel, M., Dirk, D. (2022), Encyclopaedia of violence, peace &

conflict (Third edition), Elsevier Inc.
• United Nations office on Drugs and crime (Global Homicide report,
2017). https://www.unodc.org.
• Regoezi, C.W., Miethe, D.T. (2015). International Encyclopaedia of
the social & Behavioural sciences (second Edition),
• STATISTICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY UNIT (SITU),
CID HEADQUARTERS, ACCRA.