Assessment of methods of homicides in a Brazilian city: a preliminary study

Homicides in the city of Ribeirao Preto, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, were a nalyzed with regard to methods (firearms or others) and gender, in a retros pective study from 1993 to 1997. There was a progressive increase in the nu mber of homicides, mainly after 1995, with an increment of 86.6% in 1997 in comparison to 1993. The incidence of homicides was higher among males, wit h firearms being the most common method in this group since 1993. In additi on, a 10% increase in this method was observed since 1995, in association w ith a proportional reduction in the use of other methods. The incidence of homicides among females remained stable until 1996 and increased by 51.3% i n 1997. Simultaneously, firearms have become the most common method among f emale victims (71.4%), pattern similar to that observed among males. Attent ion is drawn to the social and economic conditions and their relationships with drug traffic in the city. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All r ights reserved.