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When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 1996 Homicide Data

Females Murdered by Males in Single Victim/Single Offender Incidents

Mississippi

20 females were murdered by males in Mississippi in 1996

The homicide rate among females murdered by males in Mississippi was 1.42 per 100,000 in 1996

Ranked 27th highest in the United States


Age

Four female homicide victims (20 percent) were less than 18 years old, and one victim was 65 years of age or older.


Race

Thirteen female murder victims were black and seven were white.


Most Common Weapons

In cases in which the weapon used in the homicide could be identified (19 cases), more than half of the female homicide victims (10 victims or 53 percent) were shot and killed with handguns. There were five females killed with knives or other cutting instruments, and two killed with blunt objects. The remainder of cases involved other non-firearm weapons.


Victim/Offender Relationship

More than eight out of 10 female victims (17 victims or 85 percent) were murdered by someone they knew. Only three female victims (15 percent) were killed by strangers. Of victims who knew their offenders, 53 percent (nine victims) were wives, common law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the nine female intimates murdered, 56 percent (five victims) were shot and killed with handguns.


Circumstance

In cases in which the circumstance of the homicide could be identified (16 cases), 81 percent (13 cases) were not related to the commission of another felony. Of these cases, 77 percent (10 cases) involved arguments between the victim and offender.


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All contents � 1998 Violence Policy Center