When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 1996 Homicide Data

Females Murdered by Males in Single Victim/Single Offender Incidents

Minnesota

The homicide rate among females murdered by males in Minnesota was 1.44 per 100,000 in 1996

Ranked 26th highest in the United States

Age

Seven female homicide victims (21 percent) were less than 18 years old, and three victims (nine percent) were 65 years of age or older.

Race

Nineteen female murder victims were white, 14 were black, and one was American Indian or Alaskan native.

Most Common Weapons

In cases in which the weapon used in the homicide could be identified (33 cases), nearly half the female homicide victims (15 victims or 45 percent) were shot and killed with guns. Two thirds of these gun victims (10 victims or 67 percent) were killed with handguns. There were six females killed with knives or other cutting instruments, five females killed by bodily force, and four killed with blunt objects. 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 (32 cases), more than nine out of 10 female victims (29 victims or 91 percent) were murdered by someone they knew. Only three female victims (nine percent) were killed by strangers. Of victims who knew their offenders, 52 percent (15 victims) were wives, common law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the 15 female intimates murdered, 53 percent (eight victims) were killed with guns; 63 percent of these (five victims) were shot and killed with handguns.

Circumstance

In cases in which the circumstance of the homicide could be identified (23 cases), 83 percent (19 cases) were not related to the commission of another felony. Of these cases, 68 percent (13 cases) involved arguments between the victim and offender.

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