Homicide is the most serious of all crimes and causes the most deaths worldwide. It is often the result of domestic violence, gang violence, or drug trafficking. It can also be committed in revenge, or by someone seeking to gain power or wealth through illegal means.
The incidence of homicide varies between countries and among cities. Incidence is higher in large urban areas, where people live closer together and are under greater social control. Gun-related homicides are more common in places where guns are easily available. In addition, firearm homicides are more likely when the perpetrators are known to one another (as in robbery with murder) than when they are strangers to each other. The method of killing – whether shooting, stabbing, or blunt force trauma – also varies. In countries with low rates of gun ownership, cutting/stabbing is the most common method. It is also sometimes difficult to distinguish between suicide and homicide, particularly when the entrance wound is in the mouth or on the head, which are common features of suicide but less so in homicides.
Programs aimed at curbing violence can be effective. Strengthening gun control laws, for example, can reduce the number of homicides related to firearms. Providing support and resources to at-risk youth, including after-school programs, mentorship, and job training, can prevent them from joining gangs and engaging in violent behavior. Providing access to mental health treatment can also decrease the risk of homicides committed by individuals with mental illness.