Thesis (M.A.)--Villanova University, 2009. / Sociology and Criminal Justice Dept. Includes bibliographical references.

Summary This article examines the constitutionality of the common-law rule that one person may kill another in defence of property. This rule is mostly associated with Ex parte Minister van Justisie: In re: S v Van Wyk. The authors draw a clear distinction between the use of violence (including homicide) in defence of life and limb, on the one hand, and in defence of property, on the other. Most decided cases illustrate the close link between the private defence of defending life and of protecting property. The Constitutional Court recently declared unconstitutional s 49(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act (allowing blameless killing to effect arrest). No court has yet pronounced on the Van Wyk rule. Authors differ about its constitutionality. In this article, following the two-phased approach to constitutional interpretation, the authors conclude that the rule is unconstitutional: The serious limitation of rights which the rule causes is not justifiable in terms of s 36 of the Constitution.

Media accounts and a number of researchers have argued that homicide is the most serious crime and among the ten leading causes of death in the United States for people 35 to 54 years of age. For men and women 15 to 34, it is among the four leading causes of death. Homicide is also one of the five leading causes of death in early childhood in the United States, which has the second highest child homicide rate in the world. The drama of violent death has been a favorite literary theme from the time of Homer's Iliad to the present day. Homicides have, however, far greater significance socially than as source material for writers. Yet in the United States its wider significance has received scant attention from sociologists. This study examines the homicide rate over time in the United States by sex, age and race as ascertained from the Uniform Crime Reports. Additionally, secondary data from the scholarly literature on homicide is analyzed. Particular attention focuses on theories of homicide and research studies supporting these theories; that is, as found in the scholarly criminological literature (journal articles, books, manuscripts, documents). Findings disclose that causal theories and research studies fall into two chief categories: (1) psychological explanations and (2) sociologicalexplanations.

MSc (Med), Population-Based Field Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand / ABSTRACT Background: World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 1.6 million people die every year because of violence and out of these deaths, homicide accounts for almost one third. Ninety percent (90%) of homicide are thought to occur in low and middle income countries. South Africa has one of the most disturbing rates of homicide in the world. These high homicide rates besides resulting in reduced life expectancy also have serious health, social and economic consequences. Aim: The study aimed at quantifying the burden as well as and identifying factors associated with homicide deaths in rural KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa during the period of 2000 to 2008. Objectives: To estimate a 9 year period (2000-2008) homicide incidence rates as well as identify factors associated with homicide-related deaths. Further, the analysis described spatial distribution of homicide-related deaths in a rural South African population. Design: Analytical longitudinal study. Methods: Using data drawn from the Verbal Autopsies (VAs) conducted on all deaths recorded during annual demographic and health surveillance over a 9-year period (2000-2008), Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival estimates of incidence rates were used to estimate the cumulative probability of death until the end of the period. Estimates were reported by sex and residency. Weibull regression methods were used to investigate factor associated with homicide deaths. Kulldorff spatial scan statistics was used to describe homicide clustering. Results: With 536 homicide-related deaths, and 814, 715 total Person Years of contribution, the study found an overall incidence rate of 66 (95% CI= (60, 72) per 100, 000 Person Years of v Observation (PYOs) for the period studied. Death due to firearm was reported the leading cause of mortality (65%). Most deaths occurred over the weekends (43%), followed by Friday (16.2%).The highest homicide incidence rates were recorded in 2001 (90; 95% CI= (71, 111) per 100,000 person years at risk and 2004 (86; 95% CI= (68, 108) per 100,000 person years at risk. Males had a rate that was about six times more than females 115 (95% CI=105,127) per 100,000 PYOs. Age-specific homicide rate were highest among males aged 25-29 years (209.90 per 100,000 PYOs) and females aged 50-54 years (78 per 100,000 PYOs). Resident, age, sex, education, socioeconomic status, and employment independently predicted homicide risk. The study identified two geographical clusters with significantly elevated homicide risk. Conclusion: A significant six fold difference in homicide rate existed between males and females. Sex differential increases with age, with males aged 15-54 years the most likely to be killed, and females aged 55 years and above having the highest homicide rate. Increase in wealth status and level of education increases one‘s risk of homicide. Employment per se was protective from homicide risk. Firearm was the leading cause of mortality. Most deaths occur over the weekend. Two geographical areas with elevated homicide risk were observed. These findings underscore the need to have timely information and strategies for effective violence prevention program to subgroups and areas at risk.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Central Florida, 2009. / Adviser: Jay Corzine. Includes bibliographical references (p. 209-224).

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published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

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Thesis (M.A.)--Villanova University, 2008. / Sociology & Criminal Justice Dept. Includes bibliographical references.