title: Homicide in Alabama: an analysis of urban, suburban and rural murders in the Deep South.
abstract: Eleven hundred forty-four (1144) homicides occurring in Alabama, U.S.A. during a 2-year period are presented and analyzed according to the demographic parameters of the victims, location in urban, suburban, or rural community, type of homicide based on a medical examiner's classification, presence of drugs, weapon employed and other factors. Urban dwellers, Blacks and males are found to be at high risk. Alcohol is much more prevalent than other drugs in homicide victims. Although the handgun is the weapon most commonly used throughout the state, in the rural regions the longgun is used almost as often. The difficulty of making valid comparisons with other homicide studies is discussed and the establishment of a uniform classification of homicides urged.
authors.affiliation: Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, Mobile.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Riddick
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Brissie
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Embry
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Cumberland
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Gilchrist
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Glass
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Rabren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000407:Alabama; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D013383:Suburban Population; D014505:Urban Population; D044465:White People