When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 1997 Homicide Data

Females Murdered by Males in Single Victim/Single Offender Incidents

Alabama

The homicide rate among females murdered by males in Alabama was 2.27 per 100,000 in 1997

Ranked 7th highest in the United States

Age

Two female homicide victims (4 percent) were less than 18 years old, and 4 victims (8 percent) were 65 years of age or older.

Race and Ethnicity

Out of 51 female murder victims, 29 were black and 22 were white. Under ethnic classification, none of the women were categorized as being of Hispanic origin.

Most Common Weapons

In cases in which the weapon used in the homicide could be identified (47 cases), over two thirds of all female homicide victims (34 victims or 72 percent) were shot and killed with guns. Over 9 out of 10 of these gun victims (29 victims or 85 percent) were killed with handguns. There were 8 females killed with knives or other cutting instruments and 4 females killed by bodily force. The remainder of cases involved other non-firearm weapons.

Victim/Offender Relationship

In cases in which the relationship between the victim and the offender could be identified (46 cases), more than 8 out of 10 women (39 cases or 85 percent) were murdered by someone they knew. Seven victims were killed by a stranger. Of the victims who knew their offenders, nearly two thirds (27 victims or 69 percent) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the 27 female intimates murdered, 78 percent (21 victims) were killed with guns; 81 percent of these gun victims (17 victims) were shot and killed with handguns.

Circumstance

In cases in which the circumstance of the homicide could be identified (36 cases), 75 percent (27 cases) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these cases, more than 7 out of 10 (20 cases or 74 percent) involved arguments between the victim and offender.

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