1. Introduction
1.1 This bulletin presents statistics on crimes of homicide recorded by the police in Scotland in the period 1997-98 to 2006-07, incorporating information as known at 19 November 2007. It covers all cases of murder and culpable homicide, but excludes cases of causing death by dangerous or reckless driving.
1.2 Data are given firstly in respect of cases, where a single case of homicide is counted for each incident involving murder or culpable homicide, irrespective of the number of perpetrators or victims. Information on victims and accused persons is then presented, followed by circumstances of homicides. Additional details of the method, motive and relationship between the accused and their victims, and on the drink and drug levels of victims and accused are also shown. Definitions and further background on the information presented in this bulletin are given in the annex.
Chart 1: Cases initially and currently recorded as homicide by the police, 1925-1995 then 1995-96 to 2006-07
1. The recording practice changed in 1978, when disaggregated information was first collected.
2. See annex note 9.6 for an explanation of the difference between cases initially and currently recorded as homicide.