Regional variations in the characteristics of victims of violence

This paper investigates variations in the characteristics of victims of violence in the four regions of North Carolina: the mountains, piedmont, coastal plains, and tidewater. Distinct patterns of homicide and suicide are found in each of these regions. The montains are characterized by high rates of suicide and low rates of homicide, while the coastal plains are marked by an opposite pattern, high homicide and low suicide. The two remaining regions of North Carolina, the piedmont and tidewater, have similar violence patterns. The piedmont has slightly higher rates of both homicide and suicide than the tidewater; however, both exhibit positive relationships between homicide and suicide rates. Socio-cultural dimensions of each of these regions are outlined. Those variables which differentiate areas having opposite violence patterns are isolated. Also, similarities between other regions manifesting comparable rates of homicide and suicide are cited. Within the socio-cultural context of each region, an examination of the variations in the characteristics of victims of violence is made. These characteristics include:. age, sex, marital status, race, occupation, time of injury, means of death type of premise of injury and, where applicable, type of weapon used.