Reference no: EM133277151

What conclusions can be drawn about homicide offences and weapons-related offences in Canada?

Examine the following statistics related to homicides in Canada in 1999, as reported by Statistics Canada in October 2000.

• Canada's homicide rate was its lowest since 1967.

• Canada's homicide rate was one-third less than the American rate, but higher than most European rates.

• Almost 90 percent of accused persons were male, as were two-thirds of homicide victims.

• About 8 percent of homicide incidents were murder-suicides.

• Thirty-one percent of homicides involved firearms.

• Handguns were used in 55 percent of all firearm homicides.

• The majority of firearms-related deaths were a result of suicide.

• Four out of five victims of spousal homicide were female.

• Fifty-one percent of female homicide victims were killed by someone with whom they had an intimate relationship, compared with 6 percent of male victims.

• Of the children under 12 who were killed, 80 percent were killed by a parent.

• Sixty-four percent of people accused of homi cide had a previous criminal record.