Citation

Monforte JR, Spitz WU. J. Forensic Sci. 1975; 20(1): 186-190.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1975, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1117269

Abstract

A record of 751 homicides occurred in Detroit in 1973. An attempt was made to explore the relationship between narcotics and a random sample of these homicides. It was demonstrated that in the group studied, 43% were narcotic users. It is suggested that if one includes pushers and dealers (possibly victims of a "drug war"), people killed by addicts, and those cases where a narcotic might not be detected in the biological sample, the percentage of homicide victims associated with narcotics traffic could be as high as 60 to 70%. An investigation into the manner (executed, killed in a robbery attempt, etc) helps substantiate this suggestion. Finally, unlike the majority of homicide victims, ethanol is infrequently found in the victim using narcotics.

Language: en