Citation

Martin CC, Melki JA, Guimarães MA. Forensic Sci. Int. 1999; 106(1): 19-25.

Affiliation

Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil. ccdsmart@fmrp.usp.br

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10629965

Abstract

Homicides in the city of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed with regard to methods (firearms or others) and gender, in a retrospective study from 1993 to 1997. There was a progressive increase in the number of homicides, mainly after 1995, with an increment of 86.6% in 1997 in comparison to 1993. The incidence of homicides was higher among males, with firearms being the most common method in this group since 1993. In addition, a 10% increase in this method was observed since 1995, in association with a proportional reduction in the use of other methods. The incidence of homicides among females remained stable until 1996 and increased by 51.3% in 1997. Simultaneously, firearms have become the most common method among female victims (71.4%), pattern similar to that observed among males. Attention is drawn to the social and economic conditions and their relationships with drug traffic in the city.

Language: en