question about homicide statistics

[SpeedRacer 1]

I've noticed that some news websites have charts & maps etc. that show homicide data for a given city.

But where can you find out what portion of those homicides are criminal-on-criminal killings?

Speed Racer
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[kelpdiver 2]

much harder to count, esp if you're talking current year. And what is the level of proof? A conviction or merely an arrest of a current felon?

[Nightingale 0]

Very difficult to count.

Example: Violent criminal murders man convicted of fraud ten years ago, who has been an upstanding citizen ever since. Do you count this?

[Esquilax 0]

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...what portion of those homicides are criminal-on-criminal killings?

What's the downside? Fewer criminals? Not exactly a bad thing...

Ostriches and rheas are the only birds that urinate and defecate separately. They read Parachutist while doing #2.

[SpeedRacer 1]

hmm, I see what you're saying.

Nevertheless I still suspect that a high percentage of murders in the city are by one violent criminal going after another violent criminal, for some specific reason (ie, gang related, or drug-dealing turf, or whatever)

I'm wondering about the way people assess their own degree of risk when they visit a city. If they see high numbers of homicides, do they assume it's just a totally random & constant shootout on the streets in some neighborhoods?

Speed Racer
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[Andrewwhyte 1]

I agree. "The victim was known to police" seems to be a very common refrain when talking about murder.

[kelpdiver 2]

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Nevertheless I still suspect that a high percentage of murders in the city are by one violent criminal going after another violent criminal, for some specific reason (ie, gang related, or drug-dealing turf, or whatever)

Of this there is little doubt. But it's hard to quantify beyond "most."