Since the beginning of recorded history people have killed one another, and it seems, will continue to do so. Good policy research can provide data and documentation in the hope of explaining phenomena such as homicide. While the thought of elimination of homicide is unrealistic, reductions in homicide are feasible. Armed with data which describes the various characteristics of homicide incidents, and of victims and offenders, aspects of this violent crime can be identified as early warning indicators. Criminal justice and welfare agencies can develop preventive strategies which target those characteristics which surface again and again; socioeconomic factors; a history of violence; alcohol abuse; availability of lethal weapons; family violence; child abuse; racial harassment; homophobia.
Homicide is a rare event in Australia. But by continuing to collect and analyse homicide data, policy options can be devised which provide the basis for preventive measures in some circumstances, thereby minimising the incidence of this violent crime. This Trends and Issues paper is part of that work. A forthcoming paper will look at trends over the period 1989-93.