Assessment of methods of homicides in a Brazilian city: a preliminary study.
Homicides in the city of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed with regard to methods (firearms or others) and gender, in a retrospective study from 1993 to 1997. There was a progressive increase in the number of homicides, mainly after 1995, with an increment of 86.6% in 1997 in comparison to 1993. The incidence of homicides was higher among males, with firearms being the most common method in this group since 1993. In addition, a 10% increase in this method was observed since 1995, in association with a proportional reduction in the use of other methods. The incidence of homicides among females remained stable until 1996 and increased by 51.3% in 1997. Simultaneously, firearms have become the most common method among female victims (71.4%), pattern similar to that observed among males. Attention is drawn to the social and economic conditions and their relationships with drug traffic in the city.
Martin
C C
CC
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil. ccdsmart@fmrp.usp.br
Melki
J A
JA
Guimarães
M A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014505:Urban Population; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000401:mortality*