An introduction summarizes the social theories of homicide and the methodological issues in the study of homicide. This accessible volume then focuses on specific types of homicides including: mass and serial murders, homicides by youth, gang homicides, domestic homicides, homicides by female offenders, and alcohol/drug related homicides.

PART ONE: THE STUDY OF HOMICIDEIntroduction - M Dwayne Smith and Margaret A ZahnHomicide in the 20th Century United States - Margaret A Zahn and Patricia L McCall Trends and PatternsSources of Homicide Data - Marc RiedelPART TWO: SPECIAL ISSUES IN THE STUDY OF HOMICIDEHomicide Between Intimate Partners - Angela Browne, Kirk R Williams and Donald DuttonSerial Murder - James Alan Fox and Jack Levin Myths and RealitiesDrugs, Alcohol, and Homicide - Kathleen Auerhahn and Robert Nash ParkerHomicide - Gary LaFree Cross-National PerspectivesPART THREE: ISSUES INVOLVING HOMICIDE AMONG DIFFERENT SOCIAL GROUPSAfrican Americans and Homicide - Darnell F HawkinsLatinos and Homicide - Ramiro Martinez Jr and Matthew T LeeYouth Homicide - Kathleen M HeideGang Homicide - Cheryl MaxsonPART FOUR: PREVENTING HOMICIDE: PROPOSED STRATEGIESCapital Punishment, Homicide, and Deterrence - William C Bailey and Ruth D Peterson An Assessment of the EvidenceGuns, Gun Control, and Homicide - Philip J Cook and Mark H MoorePreventing Homicide - James A Mercy and W Rodney Hammond A Public Health Perspective