[Intentional homicides in the Genf canton (1971-1990)]

In the 20-year period from 1971 to 1990, 114 homicide victims have been autopsied by the Universitary Institute of Forensic Medicine in Geneva. The mean annual homicide rate was 1.5/100,000 population. The sex ratio was about 1.7 males for 1 female. The authors found 1.9 Swiss citizens for 1 foreigner. The victim's mean age was 38 years. The largest number of victims were found in the age group 20-39 years (42%). 58% of victims knew their offenders (familiars, friends and acquaintances), 11% did not know their offenders (strangers) while the relationship victim-offender remained unknown in 31% of the homicide cases of which only 16% have not been elucidated. Methods equally used were firearms and stabbing (71% of casts). Alcohol was present in the blood of 25% of the victims at rates varying between 0.7 and 3.61%. Homicides were more likely to occur in the evening and at night, during weekends and during the months of May, June, July, October and November. 50% of homicides took place at the victim's home, 8% at the offender's home and 42% outside lodgings.