Homicide in Scotland, 2011-12

1. Introduction

This bulletin presents statistics on the crimes of homicide recorded by the police in Scotland in the period 2002-03 to 2011-12, incorporating information known as at 6 November 2012. The bulletin includes all crimes of murder and culpable homicide but excludes cases of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, causing death by careless driving, illegal driver involved in fatal accident and corporate homicide. It forms part of a series of bulletins produced by the Scottish Government on the criminal justice system.

Statistics are presented on the number of homicide cases recorded in Scotland, where a single case of homicide is counted for each incident involving murder or culpable homicide, irrespective of the number of victims or accused. Victim and accused data are then provided, followed by the circumstances associated with the homicide. Additional details relating to the method, motive and relationship between the victim and the accused are also shown.

Chart 1: Cases initially and currently recorded^1,2 as homicide by the police, Scotland, 1980 to 1994 then 1995-96 to 2011-12

1. Note 4.6 explains the difference between cases initially and currently recorded as homicide.
2. Note 4.7 explains the break in the series for cases currently recorded as homicide.