Homicide in Greenland 1985-2010
PURPOSE:
Homicide
in Greenland has not often been investigated. The latest published study
documented a dramatic rise in the homicide rate from around 1/100,000
inhabitants to more than 23/100,000 inhabitants from 1946 to 1984. The aim of
our study was to characterize homicides in Greenland from 1985 to 2010 and to
compare trends during this period with those in previous studies and with
homicide characteristics in Denmark, northern Europe, and other Arctic regions.
METHODS:
We
identified a total of 281 homicides by legal definition and 194 by medical
definition, the latter from the years 1990 to 2010. We procured case files for
a total of 129 victims (71 male, 58 female) and 117 perpetrators (85 male, 32
female).
RESULTS:
We
identified an overall decrease in the homicide rate during our study period.
The decrease in the medical homicide rate was significant
(p = 0.007). The homicide rate ranged from 25/100,000 inhabitants to
13/100,000 inhabitants when results were grouped within 5-year periods. There
were significantly more male perpetrators (p < 0.001) and among
female perpetrators there were significantly more male victims
(p < 0.001). Sharp force and gunshot-related killings dominated
homicide methods (41 and 29 % respectively), with sharp force deaths
increasing throughout the investigation period. Altercations were the main
motive (49 %). Alcohol-related homicides decreased in our study period.
CONCLUSIONS:
While
the Greenlandic homicide rate has decreased, it is markedly higher compared to
that seen in Denmark and northern Europe. However, it resembles the rate seen
in the rest of the Arctic. Liberal gun laws do not affect the proportion of
gun-related killings. Despite the high homicide rate, women account for almost
half the victims.
- 1Department of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Pathology, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, 2100, Copenhagen E, Denmark. mrchristensen81@gmail.com.
- 2Department of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Pathology, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensen Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark. mrchristensen81@gmail.com.
- 3Department of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Pathology, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensen Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.
- 4Department of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Pathology, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, 2100, Copenhagen E, Denmark.
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