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1. Introduction
1.1 This bulletin presents statistics on crimes of homicide recorded by the police in Scotland in the period 1995/96 to 2004/05, incorporating information as known at 28 November 2005. It covers all cases of murder and common law culpable homicide, but excludes cases of causing death by dangerous or reckless driving. At the request of users and data providers, consulted through the SCOTSTAT Crime and Justice committee, statistical bulletins in the criminal justice series have been changed to present information on a financial year basis.
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 - 2004/05
1. The recording practice changed in 1978, when disaggregated information was first collected.
2. See annex note 10.7 for an explanation of the difference between cases initially and currently recorded as homicide.
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