Homicide characterization in the province of Matanzas. Año 2005-2006

Abstract

We developed an observational prospective descriptive study of all the cases of homicide and murdering occurred in the province of Matanzas in the period September 1 st 2005- August 31 st , 2006. Different variables referred to victims, victimizers and the crimes themselves, are taken into account. There were not found substantial differences among the characteristics of the victims and the characteristics of the victimizers. There was more participation of young and adult male people with low scholarship and low professional qualification, or without any relation with these activities.
Most of them came from violent families, where they met this kind of manifestation. In more than three quarters of the cases, we detected alcohol consumption previous to the fact, at least in one of the convicts. The most frequent unchaining causes were scuffles and discussions, being in the majority instrumental homicides of innocent or imprudent victims, and emotional homicides of provocative or aggressive victims. Most of the facts happened in places common to the binomial victim-victimizer, who previously knew each other, and among whom, a refusal affective relation prevailed. Many of the people implied had previous criminal records.