Recorded crime in Scotland: attempted murder and serious assault, 2008-2009 and 2017-2018

3. Definition of Attempted Murder and Serious Assault

The Scottish Crime Recording Standard (SCRS)^[5] states that every attack directed to take effect physically on the person of another is assault, whether or not actual injury is inflicted. The injuries sustained determine whether it is deemed serious or non-serious (i.e. common assault).

An assault or attack in which the victim sustains injury resulting in detention in hospital as an inpatient, for the treatment of that injury, or any of the following injuries whether or not detained in hospital would be classified as serious:

• Fractures - fractures mean the breaking or cracking of a bone. Note: Nose is cartilage not bone so a ‘broken nose’ should not be classified as a serious assault unless it meets one of the other criteria.
• Internal injuries
• Severe concussion
• Lacerations requiring sutures, or equivalent, which may lead to impairment or disfigurement
• Any other injury which may lead to impairment or disfigurement

Attempted murder is defined as attempting to kill without necessary cause. In order to constitute the crime, there must be either an intention to kill, or a wilful act so reckless as to show that the person who committed it was utterly regardless of the consequences.

A crime of serious assault (or attempted murder) should be recorded for each identified victim.