Homicide California

Homicide
in
California
2008
Edmund G. Brown Jr., Attorney General
California Department of Justice
Division of California Justice Information Services
Bureau of Criminal Information and Analysis
Criminal Justice Statistics Center
Homicide inside front cover
Homicide in
California
2008
Published Annually by the

Division of California Justice Information Services
Released March 2010
This report and other reports are available on the

California Attorney General’s website: http://ag.ca.gov
The role of the Criminal Justice
Statistics Center is to:
 Collect, analyze, and report statistical data that

provide valid measures of crime and the criminal
justice process.
 Examine these data on an ongoing basis to better

describe crime and the criminal justice system.
 Promote the responsible presentation and use of

crime statistics.

Edmund G. Brown Jr., Attorney General
Contents
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................................................i
At-a-Glance................................................................................................................................................................................................ iv
Data Analysis
Homicide Crimes.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Homicide Arrests........................................................................................................................................................................................27
Death Penalty Sentences.....................................................................................................................................................................33
Peace Officers Killed in the Line of Duty...................................................................................................................................37
Justifiable Homicides..............................................................................................................................................................................41
Data Tables................................................................................................................................................................................................47
Appendices
I Data Characteristics and Known Limitations.................................................................................................................89
II Computational Formulas..............................................................................................................................................................91
III Glossary.....................................................................................................................................................................................................92
Homicide in California, 2008
E xecutive Summary
Homicide in California, 2008 contains information about the crime of homicide and its victims, as well
as demographic data on persons arrested for homicide. Information about the death penalty, the
number of peace officers killed in the line of duty, and justifiable homicide is also included. This report
provides data for 2008 and prior years.
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for reporting annual statistics on homicide as
mandated by Penal Code section 13014. Information displayed in this report is extracted from several
databases maintained by the DOJ. The primary source of information is the Homicide File, which
captures willful and justifiable homicide crime data. Other databases capture information about
persons arrested for homicide, death penalty sentences, and peace officers killed in the line of duty.
The type of data collected, and the methods used to collect these data, differ for each data set. Unless
otherwise indicated, all calculations are based on the number of known victims.
Homicide Crimes zz Firearms were used in 70.5 percent of

homicides in 2008.
The Homicide Crimes section (pages 1–23)
provides data on homicide crimes reported to zz Of the 35 counties for which 2008 homicide
law enforcement. rates were calculated, San Francisco County
experienced the highest homicide rate per
zz From 2007 to 2008, the rate of homicide 100,000 population (11.6); Napa County
crimes per 100,000 population decreased 6.7 experienced the lowest (0.7).
percent (6.0 to 5.6). From 1999 to 2008, the
homicide crime rate decreased 5.1 percent zz In 2008, the average daily number of
(5.9 to 5.6). homicides was highest on weekends (7.9 vs.
5.0).
zz A greater percentage of white victims were
female than were Hispanic or black victims. zz In 2008, where the contributing circumstance
White victims tended to be older, while was known, 38.1 percent of homicides were
Hispanic and black victims tended to be the result of an argument and 33.7 percent
younger. were gang-related.
zz Females were more likely to be killed in their zz From 1999 to 2008, the number of gang-
residence, while males were more likely to be related homicides increased 16.7 percent.
killed on streets or sidewalks.
zz In 2008, where the victim-offender

relationship was known, 48.5 percent
of the victims were killed by friends or
acquaintances.
i
Homicide Arrests zz Between 1999 and 2008, 43 peace officers

were killed in the line of duty.
The Homicide Arrests section (pages 27–30)
provides data on arrests made by law
enforcement personnel.
Justifiable Homicides
zz From 2007 to 2008, the rate of homicide Information about justifiable homicides by a
arrests per 100,000 population at risk private citizen or peace officer (pages 41–44) is
decreased 8.8 percent (6.8 to 6.2). From 1999 obtained from the Homicide File.
to 2008, the homicide arrest rate decreased
10.1 percent (6.9 to 6.2). zz In 2008, justifiable homicides by peace
officers were most often the result of a felon
zz From 1999 to 2008, the overwhelming attacking a peace officer (63.7 percent).
majority of homicide arrestees and victims
were male.
zz From 1999 to 2008, the largest percentage

of homicide arrestees and victims were
Hispanic.
zz From 1999 to 2008, the largest percentage

of homicide arrestees and victims were aged
18–29.
Death Penalty Sentences

The Death Penalty Sentences section (page 33)
provides information about persons sentenced
to death in California in 2008.

zz By the end of 2008, there were 665 persons
under sentence of death in California. Of
these, 21 were sentenced in 2008.

Peace Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

Information about peace officers killed in the
line of duty (pages 37–38) is obtained from the
Homicide File.
zz In 2008, three peace officers were feloniously

killed in the line of duty.
ii
Executive Summary
iii
At–a–Glance
HOMICIDE IN CALIFORNIA, 2008
Domestic Violence
 14
0.7%
Contributing
All Other Argument
Circumstance  364
 Known 17.0%
1,131
Gang-Related
52.8%
 448
20.9%
Male Drug-Related
 1,766  39
1.8%
82.4%
Rape
Contributing  0
0.0%
Circumstance
 Unknown Robbery/Burglary
635  84
3.9%
29.6%
All Other
Homicide  182
8.5%
Crimes
2,143
Domestic Violence
100.0%  99
4.6%
Contributing All Other Argument

Circumstance  54
 Known 2.5%
261
Gang-Related
12.2%
 21
1.0%
Female Drug-Related
 377  3
0.1%
17.6%
Rape
Contributing  0
0.0%
Circumstance
 Unknown Robbery/Burglary
Source: Tables 25 and 34. 116  13
Notes: Percentages may not add to subtotals or 100.0 0.6%
because of rounding.
5.4%
Contributing circumstance percent calculations in this
All Other
figure are based on the total number of victims, rather
than on the number of known circumstances. Therefore,  71
3.3%
percentages displayed here will not match percentages
displayed elsewhere in this report.
iv
At-a-Glance
White Under 18
 289  206
15.6% 11.1%
Hispanic 18–29
 857  997
Male 46.3% Male 53.9%
 1,652 1,652
89.3% Black 89.3% 30–39
 393  231
21.2% 12.5%
Other 40 and Over

 113  218
Homicide 6.1% 11.8%
Arrests
1,850
100.0% White Under 18
 57  15
3.1% 0.8%
Hispanic 18–29
 87  101
Female 4.7% Female 5.5%
 198 198
10.7% Black 10.7% 30–39
 43  42
2.3% 2.3%
Other 40 and Over

 11  40
0.6% 2.2%
Homicide Crimes circumstance was unknown. Of this number, 635

involved male victims and 116 involved female
The homicide category comprises murder
victims.
and non-negligent manslaughter. Attempted
murder, justifiable homicide, manslaughter by
negligence, and suicide are excluded. Homicide Arrests
All California law enforcement agencies report
Contributing Circumstances arrest information to the DOJ on the Monthly
Contributing circumstance, when known, is Arrest and Citation Register (MACR). Data
reported by law enforcement agencies on the submitted include age, gender, and race/ethnic
supplemental homicide report. In 2008, there group, and specify the most serious arrest
were 751 homicides in which the contributing offense and law enforcement disposition.
v
vi
Homicide in California
Homicide Crimes
Homicide Crimes
Homicide Crimes, 1999–2008 Homicide is defined by the FBI's Uniform
Number and Rate per 100,000 Population Crime Reporting (UCR) Program as the “willful
(nonnegligent) killing of one human being by
Year Number Rate another.” The homicide category comprises
2008..................... 2,143 5.6 murder and nonnegligent manslaughter.
2007..................... 2,258 6.0 Attempted murder, justifiable homicide,
2006..................... 2,483 6.6 manslaughter by negligence, and suicide are
2005..................... 2,503 6.8 excluded.
2004..................... 2,394 6.5
2003..................... 2,402 6.7
2002..................... 2,392 6.8 From 2007 to 2008:
2001..................... 2,201 6.3
2000..................... 2,074 6.0 zz The homicide rate per 100,000 population
1999..................... 2,006 5.9 decreased 6.7 percent (6.0 to 5.6).
zz The number of homicides decreased 5.1
percent (from 2,258 to 2,143).
Source: Table 1.
Comparing 1999 to 2008:

zz The homicide rate per 100,000 population
decreased 5.1 percent (5.9 to 5.6).
zz The number of homicides increased 6.8
percent (from 2,006 to 2,143).
1
Violent Crimes
Violent Crimes, 1999–2008 There are four offenses classified as violent

Rate per 100,000 Population crimes by the FBI: homicide, forcible rape, robbery,
500.0 and aggravated assault. For comparison, changes
in the rates of the four offenses follow:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
From 2007 to 2008:

80.0
250.0
zz Homicide decreased 6.7 percent (6.0 to 5.6).
ROBBERY
zz Forcible rape decreased 2.9 percent
60.0
(24.0 to 23.3).
RATE
40.0
zz Robbery decreased 2.8 percent (187.2 to
FORCIBLE RAPE 181.9).
20.0 zz Aggravated assault decreased 5.2 percent

HOMICIDE (289.9 to 274.7).
0.0
99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
YEAR Comparing 1999 to 2008:
Source: Table 1. zz Homicide decreased 5.1 percent (5.9 to 5.6).
zz Forcible rape decreased 15.9 percent (27.7 to
23.3).
zz Robbery increased 3.1 percent (176.4 to
181.9).
zz Aggravated assault decreased 31.4 percent
(400.7 to 274.7).
2
Homicide Crimes
Personal Characteristics of Homicide Victims
Homicide Crimes, 1999–2008 In 2008:

By Gender of Victim
zz The total homicide rate was 5.6 per 100,000
Rate per 100,000 Population
population.
12.0
zz The male homicide rate was more than four
MALE times that of the female homicide rate (9.3 vs.
2.0).
8.0
TOTAL
RATE

4.0
FEMALE zz The male homicide rate increased 1.1
percent.
0.0
99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 zz The female homicide rate decreased 23.1
YEAR percent.
Source: Table 2.

By Race/Ethnic Group of Victim
zz The black homicide rate was more than 10
times that of whites and more than three
40.0 times that of Hispanics (25.4 vs. 2.4 and 7.2,
BLACK
respectively).
30.0

RATE
20.0
zz The white homicide rate decreased 7.7
10.0
HISPANIC percent.
WHITE zz The Hispanic homicide rate decreased 18.2

0.0 percent.
99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
YEAR zz The black homicide rate increased 21.0
percent.
Source: Table 3.
3

By Age of Victim
zz Persons aged 18–29 had the highest
homicide victimization rate (13.9 per 100,000
20.0 population).
18-29
15.0
Comparing 1999 to 2008, the homicide rate:
Decreased 6.9 percent for victims under age
RATE
10.0 30-39 zz
18.
5.0 40 AND OVER zz Decreased 8.6 percent for victims aged
18–29.
UNDER 18
0.0
99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
zz Increased 10.8 percent for victims aged
YEAR
30–39.
zz Decreased 7.9 percent for victims aged 40
Source: Table 4.
and over.
4
Homicide Crimes
Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008, there were 2,143 victims of homicide.

By Gender of Victim Of these:
zz Males represented 82.4 percent (1,766) of
total homicide victims; they comprised 49.9
FEMALE percent of the population.
17.6%
zz Females represented 17.6 percent (377) of
total homicide victims; they comprised 50.1
percent of the population.
MALE
82.4%
Source: Table 5.
Homicide Crimes, 2008

Gender of Victim by Percent of Total Victims
and Percent of Population
82.4%
49.9% 50.1%
17.6%
MALE FEMALE
Victims Population
Source: Tables 2 and 5.
5
Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008, the race/ethnicity of the homicide

By Race/Ethnic Group of Victim victim was reported in 2,128 cases. Of these:
OTHER
zz Whites represented 18.3 percent (389) of
7.5% the homicide victims; they comprised 43.0
WHITE
18.3%
zz Hispanics represented 47.1 percent (1,003)
of the homicide victims; they comprised 36.3
BLACK
27.1% percent of the population.
zz Blacks represented 27.1 percent (577) of the
HISPANIC homicide victims; they comprised 6.0 percent
47.1%
of the population.
zz The “other” race/ethnic group category
represented 7.5 percent (159) of the
Source: Table 6.
homicide victims; they comprised 14.9

Race/Ethnic Group of Victim by Percent of
Total Victims and Percent of Population
47.1%
43.0%
36.3%
27.1%
18.3%
14.9%
6.0% 7.5%
WHITE HISPANIC BLACK OTHER
Victims Population

Note: Percentages may not add to 100.0 because of rounding.
6
Homicide Crimes
Personal Characteristics of the Victim
Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008, the age of the homicide victim was
By Age of Victim reported in 2,129 cases. Of these:
zz 12.8 percent (273) of the homicide victims
UNDER were under age 18; this age group comprised
18
40 AND 12.8%
26.2 percent of the population.
OVER
26.7% zz 42.6 percent (906) of the homicide victims
were aged 18–29; this age group comprised
18-29
30-39 42.6% zz 17.9 percent (381) of the homicide victims
17.9% were aged 30–39; this age group comprised
zz 26.7 percent (569) of the homicide victims
were aged 40 and over; this age group
Source: Table 7. comprised 43.0 percent of the population.

Age of Victim by Percent of Total Victims
and Percent of Population
42.6% 43.0%
26.2% 26.7%
17.0% 17.9%
12.8% 13.8%
UNDER 18 18-29 30-39 40 AND OVER
Victims Population
7
Personal Characteristics of the Victim
Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008:

Race/Ethnic Group of Victim
By Gender of Victim
female than were either Hispanic or black
victims (28.3 vs. 12.9 and 14.6 percent,
WHITE 71.7% 28.3%
respectively).
HISPANIC 87.1% 12.9%
BLACK 85.4% 14.6%
Male Female
Source: Table 8.

zz A greater percentage of Hispanic and black
By Age of Victim
victims were aged 18–29 than were white
6.2% victims (49.4 and 45.3 vs. 24.2 percent,
WHITE 12.6% 57.1%
24.2% respectively).
49.4% 18.9% 16.3%

HISPANIC 15.3%
aged 40 and over than were either Hispanic
or black victims (57.1 vs. 16.3 and 22.4
BLACK 13.2% 45.3% 19.1% 22.4% percent, respectively).
< 18 18-29 30-39 40+
Source: Table 9.
8
Homicide Crimes
Relationship of the Victim to the Offender
Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008, the relationship of the homicide victim

By Relationship of Victim to Offender to the offender was reported in 1,113 cases. Of
these:
zz 48.5 percent (540) of victims were friends or
acquaintances of offenders.
STRANGER zz 6.4 percent (71) of victims were spouses of
30.2% FRIEND, offenders.
ACQUAINTANCE
48.5% zz 8.8 percent (98) of victims were parents or
children of offenders.
OTHER
RELATIVE zz 6.1 percent (68) of victims were classified as
6.1% "other relative" of the offender.
PARENT, CHILD zz 30.2 percent (336) of victims were strangers
8.8% SPOUSE
6.4% to offenders.
Source: Table 11.
Homicide Crimes, 1999–2008 Comparing 2007 to 2008:

By Selected Relationships of
zz The proportion of homicides in which victims
Victims to Offenders
were friends or acquaintances of offenders
100
increased from 42.1 percent to 48.5 percent.
75
were strangers to offenders decreased from
PERCENT
FRIEND/ACQUAINTANCE 40.6 percent to 30.2 percent.

50
STRANGER
25 Comparing 1999 to 2008:
0
99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 were friends or acquaintances of offenders
YEAR decreased from 50.8 percent to 48.5 percent.
Source: Table 11.
9

Gender of Victim
zz A greater percentage of female victims were
By Relationship of Victim to Offender
spouses of offenders (20.8 percent) than were
1.4% 5.2% male victims (1.4 percent).
MALE 49.8% 37.3%
6.3%
FEMALE 44.7% 20.8% 16.2% 8.8% 9.5%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Friend, Spouse Parent, Other Stranger

acquaintance child relative
Source: Table 12.

zz A greater percentage of Hispanic and black
victims were strangers to offenders than
7.2% were white victims (33.3 and 35.9 vs. 21.9
WHITE 48.7% 9.8% 12.5%
21.9% percent, respectively).
4.8% 7.0%
6.5%
2.7% 6.3%
BLACK 50.7% 35.9%
4.5%

Source: Table 12.

Note: Percentages do not add to 100.0 because of rounding.
10
Homicide Crimes

Age of Victim by Relationship of
zz Victims aged 18–29 and aged 30–39 were
Victim to Offender
most likely friends or acquaintances of
UNDER 6.7% the offenders (53.6 and 55.0 percent,
39.3% 32.6% 21.3%
18 respectively).
1.0%
2.3%
18-29 53.6%
2.8%
40.3%
zz A greater percentage of victims aged 40 and
1.1%
over were classified as other relatives of the
10.1% 3.7% offenders (10.7 percent) than were victims in
30-39 55.0% 30.2%
any other age group shown.
40 AND
44.1% 12.1% 9.6% 10.7% 23.4%
OVER

Source: Table 13.

11
Homicide Rate by County

County by Rate per 100,000 Population In 2008, 13 of California’s 35 counties with
Del a population of 100,000 or greater exceeded
Norte
Siskiyou Modoc
the statewide homicide rate of 5.6 per 100,000
population. When grouped:
zz One county had a homicide rate over 10.0
per 100,000 population.
Shasta Lassen
Trinity
Humboldt zz Fourteen counties had homicide rates
between 5.0 and 9.9 per 100,000 population.
Tehama
Plumas zz Twenty counties had homicide rates between
0.0 and 4.9 per 100,000 population.
Glenn Butte
Mendocino Sierra
Nevada
zz Homicide rates were not calculated for the
a
Colusa Yu
b
Placer remaining 23 counties with populations of
Lake
Sut
less than 100,000.

ter
El Dorado
Yolo
Sonoma
Napa Alpine
Sacra- r
do
mento
A ma ra
s
M Solano
la ve
ar
in San Ca Tuolumne
Contra Mono
Costa Joaquin
San Francisco
Alameda a us
isl Mariposa
San Mateo an
St
Santa
a
Clara Merced er
ad
Santa Cruz M
San Inyo
Benito Fresno
Tulare
Monterey
Kings
San Luis
Obispo Kern
San Bernardino
Santa Barbara
10.0 and over Ventura
Los Angeles
5.0 – 9.9
Riverside
Orange
0.0 – 4.9
Rates not calculated (see Appendix II)

San Diego Imperial
Source: Table 14.
12
Homicide Crimes
Homicides by Season
Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008, when homicides were examined by

By Season of Incident season, it was found that incidents leading to
death were spread relatively evenly across the
seasons.
WINTER
24.3%
FALL SPRING
24.8% 26.0%
SUMMER
24.9%
Source: Table 15.
Homicide Crimes, 1999–2008

By Season of Incident
30
SUMMER
FALL
25
PERCENT
WINTER
SPRING
20
0
99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
YEAR
Source: Table 15.
13
Homicides by Day of Incident
Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008, when homicides were examined by day

Race/Ethnic Group of Victim by of incident, it was found that:
Average Daily Number of Incidents on
zz An average of 5.0 homicide victims were
Weekdays and Weekends
killed each weekday and 7.9 homicide victims
7.9 were killed each weekend day.
zz Hispanic victims had the highest average
DAILY NUMBER
daily number of incidents on both weekdays

AVERAGE
and weekends (2.3 and 4.0, respectively) of

5.0 any race/ethnic group shown.
4.0
zz Victims aged 18–29 had the highest average
daily number of incidents on both weekdays
2.3
2.0 and weekends (2.0 and 3.8, respectively) of
1.3 1.4 any age group shown.
1.0 0.4 0.6
TOTAL WHITE HISPANIC BLACK OTHER
Weekday Weekend
Source: Table 16.

Age of Victim by Average Daily Number
of Incidents on Weekdays and Weekends
3.8
DAILY NUMBER
AVERAGE
2.0
1.8
1.4 1.5
0.9 0.9
0.7
UNDER 18 18-29 30-39 40 AND OVER
Weekday Weekend
Source: Table 17.
14
Homicide Crimes
Location
Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008, the location of the homicide was

By Location of Homicide reported in 2,074 cases. Of these:
zz 24.9 percent (517) of victims were killed at
their places of residence.
VICTIM'S/
SHARED zz 36.8 percent (764) of homicides occurred on
RESIDENCE streets or sidewalks.
ALL OTHER 24.9%
38.2% zz 38.2 percent (793) of homicides occurred in
“all other” locations.
STREET,
SIDEWALK
36.8%
Source: Table 19.


Gender of Victim
zz The greatest percentage of males (41.8
by Location of Homicide
percent) were killed on streets or sidewalks.
MALE 18.8% 41.8% 39.4% zz The majority of females (54.2 percent) were
killed at their places of residence.
FEMALE 54.2% 13.3% 32.5%
Victim's, Street, All

shared residence sidewalk other
Source: Table 19.
15
Location

zz A greater percentage of whites than
By Location of Homicide
Hispanics or blacks were killed at their places
of residence (40.9 vs. 20.7 and 18.6 percent,
40.9%
WHITE 18.3% 40.9% respectively).
zz A greater percentage of Hispanics and blacks
20.7% 41.3% 38.0%
HISPANIC were killed on streets or sidewalks than
were whites (41.3 and 48.4 vs. 18.3 percent,
BLACK 18.6% 48.4% 33.0% respectively).

Source: Table 19.


Age of Victim by Location of Homicide
zz A greater percentage of victims aged 18–29
UNDER were killed on streets or sidewalks (43.9
33.1% 37.6% 29.3%
18 percent) than were victims in any other age
group shown.
18-29 13.7% 43.9% 42.4%
zz A greater percentage of victims aged 40 and
over were killed at their places of residence
30-39 22.7% 35.9% 41.4% (41.3 percent) than were victims in any other
age group shown.
40 AND 33.1%
41.3% 25.6%
OVER

Source: Table 20.
16
Homicide Crimes
Weapon
Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008, the type of weapon used in the

By Type of Weapon Used homicide was reported in 2,110 cases. Of these:
BLUNT ALL OTHER
zz 70.5 percent (1,487) involved firearms.
OBJECT 4.5%
5.3% zz 14.1 percent (297) involved knives.
PERSONAL
WEAPON zz 5.7 percent (120) involved the use of personal
5.7% weapons (hands, feet, etc.).
KNIFE zz 5.3 percent (111) involved blunt objects
14.1%
(clubs, etc.).
FIREARM
70.5% zz 4.5 percent (95) involved weapons grouped
in the “all other” category (rope, drugs, etc.).
Source: Table 21.


By Selected Types of Weapons Used
zz The proportion of homicides involving
100
firearms increased from 67.5 percent to 70.5
80 FIREARM
percent.
PERCENT
60
40
NON-FIREARM
20
0
99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
YEAR
Source: Table 21.
17
Weapon

Gender of Victim by Type of Weapon Used
zz A greater percentage of males (74.9 percent)
3.2%
were killed with firearms than were females
MALE 74.9% 12.8% (49.2 percent).
4.4% 4.6%
FEMALE 49.2% 19.9% 12.0% 10.7%
8.2%
0 20 40 60 80 100
Firearm Knife Personal Blunt All

weapon object other
Source: Table 22.


zz A greater percentage of Hispanics and blacks
By Type of Weapon Used
were killed with firearms than were whites
6.6%
(73.1 and 79.9 vs. 51.2 percent, respectively).
WHITE 51.2% 19.4% 11.0% 11.8%
4.1% 4.1%

3.9% 3.3%
9.1%
BLACK 79.9%
4.5% 3.1%

weapon object other
Source: Table 22.

18
Homicide Crimes
Weapon

Age of Victim by Type of Weapon Used
zz A greater percentage of victims aged 18–29
7.9% were killed with firearms (82.2 percent) than
UNDER 7.9%
64.0% 16.1% were victims in any other age group shown.
18
4.1% 2.3% zz A greater percentage of victims aged 40
18-29 82.2% 11.9% and over were killed with non-firearms (50.9
1.8% 1.8%
percent) than were victims in any other age
2.6% group shown.
30-39 79.2%
12.4%
3.4% 2.4%
40 AND
49.1% 21.8% 9.2% 11.9%
OVER
8.1%

weapon object other
Source: Table 23.

19
Contributing Circumstance
Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008, the contributing circumstance was

By Contributing Circumstance reported in 1,392 homicide cases. Of these:
RAPE, zz 7.0 percent (97) occurred as a result of a rape,
ROBBERY, robbery, or burglary.
ALL BURGLARY
OTHER 7.0% zz 38.1 percent (531) occurred as a result of an
DRUG-
18.2% argument.
RELATED
3.0%  8.1 percent (113) occurred as a result of a
ARGUMENT domestic violence-related argument.
38.1%
GANG-  30.0 percent (418) occurred as a result of
RELATED all other types of arguments.
33.7%
zz 33.7 percent (469) were gang-related.
zz 3.0 percent (42) were drug-related.
8.1% 30.0% zz 18.2 percent (253) occurred as a result of “all

other” contributing circumstances.
Domestic All
violence- other
related arguments
argument
Source: Table 24.

By Selected Contributing Circumstance
zz The percentage of homicides in which the
40.0 contributing circumstance was a domestic
GANG-RELATED
violence-related argument increased from
30.0 7.5 percent to 8.1 percent.
zz The percentage of homicides in which the
PERCENT
20.0 contributing circumstance was gang-related

increased from 23.6 percent to 33.7 percent.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE-
RELATED ARGUMENT
10.0 zz The percentage of homicides in which the
contributing circumstance was drug-related
0.0
DRUG-RELATED decreased from 5.0 percent to 3.0 percent.
99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
YEAR
Source: Table 24.
20
Homicide Crimes

Gender of Victim
zz Males were victims of gang-related
by Contributing Circumstance
homicides more than any other contributing
7.4%
1.2%
circumstance (39.6 percent).
3.4%
MALE 32.2% 39.6% 16.1%
zz Females were victims of domestic violence-
related homicides more than any other
5.0% 8.0% 1.1%
FEMALE 37.9% 20.7% 27.2% contributing circumstance (37.9 percent).
0 20 40 60 80 100
Robbery, Domestic All Gang- Drug- All

burglary violence other related related other
arguments
Source: Table 25.



zz The proportion of gang-related homicides
by Contributing Circumstance
was much greater for Hispanics and blacks
7.8% 3.7% than for whites (44.0 and 36.6 vs. 7.8 percent,
WHITE 10.7% 13.5% 46.3% 18.0% respectively).
5.5%
5.5% 2.1%
HISPANIC 25.6% 44.0% 17.2%
6.0%
6.6% 4.2%
BLACK 27.8% 36.6% 18.7%
Rape, Domestic All Gang- Drug- All

robbery, violence other related related other
burglary arguments
Source: Table 25.

21
Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008, where the contributing circumstance

Age of Victim by Contributing Circumstance was known:
UNDER zz The majority of homicide victims under age

87.5% 12.5%
5 5 were killed as a result of child abuse (87.5
3.2% percent).
5-17 14.8% 58.7% 10.3% 11.6%
zz The majority of homicide victims aged 5–17
1.3%
4.1% (58.7 percent) and aged 18–29 (52.2 percent)
18-29 26.8% 52.2% 12.4%
were killed as a result of gang- or drug-
4.6%
related activities.
30-39 9.2% 15.3% 33.2% 33.6% 8.7%
zz The greatest percentage of homicide victims
40 AND 12.8% 15.2% 10.2% aged 30–39 (33.2 percent) and aged 40 and
46.6% 15.2%
OVER over (46.6 percent) were killed as a result of
argument-related conflicts.
Rape, Domestic All Gang-, Child All
robbery, violence other drug- abuse other
burglary arguments related
Source: Table 26.

22
Homicide Crimes
Clearance Rates
Homicide Crimes Cleared, 1999–2008 From 2007 to 2008:

Clearance Rate
zz Homicide clearance rates increased from 53.5
80.0
to 57.3.
60.0
CLEARANCE RATE
From 1999 to 2008:

40.0
zz Homicide clearance rates decreased from
59.8 to 57.3.
20.0
zz Clearance rates ranged from a high of 59.8 in
1999 to a low of 49.6 in 2001.
0.0
99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
YEAR
Source: Table 28.

Note: A clearance rate is the percentage of crimes (homicides) reported
that have been cleared by law enforcement. See Appendix II –
Computational Formulas and Appendix III – Glossary for further
information.
23
24
Homicide Arrests
Homicide Arrests
Personal Characteristics of Homicide Arrestees
Homicide Arrests, 2008 Unlike crimes, which are classified by

By Gender of Arrestee nationwide Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR)
standards, arrests are reported by the statutory
definition of the offense.1 This may cause
FEMALE
10.7%
some differences in the definitions of certain
crimes and the reporting of the arrests for
those crimes. For instance, the California
definition of a homicide arrest includes murder
and nonvehicular manslaughter. The federal
definition of a homicide crime includes murder
MALE and nonnegligent (nonaccidental) manslaughter.
89.3%
California law enforcement agencies report
arrest and citation information to the DOJ on
the Monthly Arrest and Citation Register. This
Source: Table 30. file contains information about the age, gender,
and race/ethnic group of the arrestee, and
specifies the “most serious” arrest offense and
law enforcement disposition.
Population in California, 2008 In 2008, there were 1,850 individuals arrested for
By Gender homicide. Of these:
zz 89.3 percent (1,652) of arrestees were male.
zz 10.7 percent (198) of arrestees were female.
FEMALE MALE
50.1% 49.9%
Source: Table 2.
1
The following penal codes for homicide arrest offenses were valid
at the time of the closeout of the 2008 arrest offense code file:
128, 187(a), 189, 192(a), 192(b), 193(a), 193(b), 273ab, 399, and
12310(a).
27
Homicide Arrests, 2008 In 2008, there were 1,850 individuals arrested for
By Race/Ethnic Group of Arrestee homicide. Of these:
zz 18.7 percent (346) of arrestees were
OTHER
6.7% white.
WHITE zz 51.0 percent (944) of arrestees were
18.7% Hispanic.
BLACK
23.6% zz 23.6 percent (436) of arrestees were
black.
zz 6.7 percent (124) of arrestees fell into
HISPANIC
51.0% the “other” race/ethnic group category.
Source: Table 31.
Population in California, 2008

By Race/Ethnic Group
OTHER
BLACK
14.9%
6.0%
WHITE Note: The subjectivity of the classification and

43.0% labeling process must be considered in the analysis
of race/ethnic group data. As commonly used, race
HISPANIC refers to large populations that share certain similar
36.3% physical characteristics such as skin color. Because
these physical characteristics can vary greatly within
groups as well as between groups, determination
of race is frequently, by necessity, subjective.
Ethnicity refers to cultural heritage and can cross
racial lines. For example, the ethnic designation
Source: Table 3. "Hispanic" can include persons of any race. Most
Notes: Beginning in 2004, the "other" category includes the commonly, self-identification of race/ethnicity is
race/ethnic group of "multi-racial." used in the classification and labeling process.
Percentages do not add to 100.0 because of rounding.
28
Homicide Arrests
Homicide Arrests, 2008 In 2008, there were 1,850 individuals arrested for
By Age of Arrestee homicide. Of these:
zz 11.9 percent (221) of arrestees were
40 AND UNDER under age 18.
OVER 18
13.9% 11.9% zz 59.4 percent (1,098) of arrestees were
aged 18–29.
30-39
aged 30–39.
18-29
aged 40 and over.
Source: Table 32.
Population in California, 2008

By Age
UNDER 18
26.2%
40 AND OVER
43.0%
18-29
17.0%
30-39
13.8%
Source: Table 4.
29
Homicide Arrests, 2008 In 2008:

Race/Ethnic Group of Arrestee by
zz Homicide arrestees for all three race/ethnic
Gender of Arrestee
groups shown were predominately male.
WHITE 83.5% 16.5% zz A greater percentage of white arrestees were

female than were Hispanic or black arrestees
9.2% (16.5 vs. 9.2 and 9.9 percent, respectively).
HISPANIC 90.8%
BLACK 90.1% 9.9%
Male Female
Source: Table 33.
Homicide Arrests, 2008 In 2008:

Race/Ethnic Group of Arrestee by
zz A greater percentage of white arrestees were
Age of Arrestee
aged 40 and over than were Hispanic or
3.5% black arrestees (30.6 vs. 7.2 and 14.2 percent,
WHITE 44.5% 21.4% 30.6% respectively).
7.2% zz The majority of Hispanic and black arrestees
13.9% were aged 18–29 (66.5 and 57.3 percent,
respectively).
10.6%
BLACK 17.9% 57.3% 14.2%
< 18 18-29 30-39 40+
Source: Table 33.
30
Death Penalty
Sentences
Death Penalty Sentences
Persons Under California This section contains information about persons
Sentence of Death, 1978–2008 sentenced to death in California in 2008. Death
penalty data were extracted from the 2008
750
Offender-Based Transaction Statistics (OBTS)
system. For detailed information regarding
the death penalty and the criteria by which
500 a person can be sentenced to death, refer to
California Penal Code sections 190 through
NUMBER
190.9.
250
During 2008, there were 21 persons convicted
of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.
0 These were initial death sentences only and do
78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 not include persons who were resentenced to
YEAR death after their death sentences were reversed
on appeal. By the end of 2008, there were 665
persons under sentence of death in California.
Source: Table 35.
In 2008, of the 21 persons newly sentenced to

death:
zz All were male.
zz Four were white, nine were Hispanic, seven
were black, and one was of a race/ethnicity
categorized as "other."
zz The average age at arrest was 30.
zz Los Angeles County sentenced the largest
number with six.
Note: Additional information can be found in

Tables 35 and 36.
33
34
Peace Officers Killed

in the Line of Duty
Peace Officers Killed Information about peace officers killed in the
in the Line of Duty, 2008 line of duty was obtained from the Homicide
By Type of Weapon Used File. Only sworn officers feloniously killed in
the line of duty are included. (Sworn officers
Type of accidentally killed in the line of duty and
weapon used Total Offender’s Officer’s non-sworn officers, such as security guards, are
excluded.)
Total .......................... 3 3 0
In 2008, three peace officers were killed in the
Handgun ............ 2 2 0
line of duty.
Rifle ..................... 1 1 0
zz Two peace officers were killed by the
offenders' handgun.

zz One peace officer was killed by the
offender's rifle.
Peace Officers Killed In 2008:

in the Line of Duty, 2008
zz All three peace officers killed in the line
Race/Ethnic Group of Officer
of duty were male; one was white, one was
By Gender of Officer
Hispanic, and one was black.
Gender
Race/ethnic
group Total Male Female
Total ........................... 3 3 0
White .................... 1 1 0
Hispanic ............... 1 1 0
Black ..................... 1 1 0
37
Peace Officers Killed in the Line of Duty
Peace Officers Killed From 1999 to 2008:

in the Line of Duty, 1999–2008
zz 43 peace officers were killed in the line of
duty. During this time period, the largest
Number of number of deaths occurred in 2001 and 2003
Year officers killed (6 each), and the fewest number of deaths
Total....................................... 43 occurred in 2000 (2).
2008.................................. 3
2007.................................. 4
2006.................................. 5
2005.................................. 5
2004.................................. 4

2003.................................. 6
2002.................................. 4
2001.................................. 6
2000.................................. 2
1999.................................. 4

Note: Additional information can be found in

Tables 37 and 38.
38
Justifiable
Homicides
Justifiable Homicides by Peace Officers A justifiable homicide is defined by the Uniform
or Private Citizens, 2008 Crime Reporting (UCR) Program as the killing
By Gender of Deceased of a felon by a private citizen or peace officer
during the commission of a felony. Justifiable
BY
3.9% homicides are sometimes referred to as
PEACE 96.1%
OFFICER excusable or noncriminal homicides.
BY 7.4%
PRIVATE 92.6%
CITIZEN
In 2008, when justifiable homicides were
examined by gender, it was found that:
Male Female
zz 96.1 percent (98) of felons killed by peace
officers were male; 3.9 percent (4) were
Source: Table 39. female.
zz 92.6 percent (25) of felons killed by private
citizens were male; 7.4 percent (2) were
female.
41
Justifiable Homicides by Peace Officers In 2008:

or Private Citizens, 2008
zz A greater proportion of felons killed by
By Race/Ethnic Group of Deceased
peace officers were Hispanic than were
BY white or black (46.1 vs. 24.5 and 22.5 percent,
6.9%
PEACE 24.5% 46.1%
22.5%
respectively).
OFFICER
zz The felons killed by private citizens were less
BY
PRIVATE 25.9% 33.3% 29.6% 11.1%
likely to be white than Hispanic or black (25.9
CITIZEN vs. 33.3 and 29.6 percent, respectively).
White Hispanic Black Other
Source: Table 39.

Justifiable Homicides by Peace Officers In 2008:

or Private Citizens, 2008
zz A greater proportion of felons killed by peace
By Age of Deceased
officers were aged 18–29 (46.1 percent) than
5.9% were any other age group.
BY
PEACE 46.1% 24.5% 23.5% zz The largest proportion of felons killed by
OFFICER private citizens were aged 18–29 and 30–39
BY (37.0 percent each).
PRIVATE 37.0% 37.0% 18.5%
CITIZEN
7.4%
< 18 18-29 30-39 40+
Source: Table 39.

42
Justifiable Homicides by In 2008, when justifiable homicides were

Peace Officers, 2008 examined by location, it was found that:
By Location of Justifiable Homicide
zz Most felons killed by peace officers were
killed on a street or sidewalk (43.1 percent).
FELON’S
zz Most felons killed by private citizens were
ALL
OTHER RESIDENCE killed in the citizen's residence (25.9 percent).
24.5% 20.6%
OTHER
RESIDENCE
8.8%
STREET,
COMMERCIAL SIDEWALK
ESTABLISHMENT
43.1%
2.9%
Source: Table 40.

Justifiable Homicides by
Private Citizens, 2008
ALL CITIZENS,
OTHER SHARED
22.2% RESIDENCE
25.9%
COMMERCIAL
ESTABLISHMENT OTHER
14.8% RESIDENCE
STREET, 18.5%
SIDEWALK
18.5%
Source: Table 40.

43
Justifiable Homicides by In 2008, when justifiable homicides were

Peace Officers, 2008 examined by known contributing circumstance,
By Contributing Circumstance it was found that:
zz Most felons killed by peace officers were
killed while attacking a peace officer (63.7
ALL
OTHER percent).
20.6%
zz Most felons killed by private citizens were
FELON
RESISTED killed while attacking a citizen (55.6 percent).
ARREST
7.8%
FELON ATTACKED
PEACE OFFICER
63.7%
FELON KILLED
DURING
COMMISSION
OF CRIME
7.8%
Source: Table 41.

Justifiable Homicides by
Private Citizens, 2008
By Contributing Circumstance
OTHER
11.1%
FELON KILLED FELON

DURING ATTACKED
COMMISSION CITIZEN
OF CRIME 55.6%
33.3%
Source: Table 41.
44
Data Tables
Table 1
VIOLENT CRIMES, 1999-2008
Number, Rate per 100,000 Population, and Percent Change
Forcible Aggravated
Year(s) Total Homicide Robbery
rape assault
Number
2008................. 185,233 2,143 8,906 69,391 104,793
2007................... 191,493 2,258 9,047 70,702 109,486
2006................... 194,128 2,483 9,213 70,961 111,471
2005................... 189,593 2,503 9,345 63,424 114,321
2004................... 197,432 2,394 9,598 61,573 123,867
2003................... 204,591 2,402 9,918 63,597 128,674
2002................... 207,988 2,392 10,176 64,805 130,615
2001................... 210,510 2,201 9,882 63,299 135,128
2000................... 210,492 2,074 9,785 60,243 138,390
1999................... 207,874 2,006 9,443 60,027 136,398
Percent change in number
2007-2008.......... -3.3 -5.1 -1.6 -1.9 -4.3
2006-2007.......... -1.4 -9.1 -1.8 -0.4 -1.8
2005-2006.......... 2.4 -0.8 -1.4 11.9 -2.5
2004-2005.......... -4.0 4.6 -2.6 3.0 -7.7
2003-2004.......... -3.5 -0.3 -3.2 -3.2 -3.7
2002-2003.......... -1.6 0.4 -2.5 -1.9 -1.5
2001-2002.......... -1.2 8.7 3.0 2.4 -3.3
2000-2001.......... 0.0 6.1 1.0 5.1 -2.4
1999-2000.......... 1.3 3.4 3.6 0.4 1.5
1999-2008.......... -10.9 6.8 -5.7 15.6 -23.2
Rate per 100,000 population1
2008................... 485.6 5.6 23.3 181.9 274.7
2007................... 507.0 6.0 24.0 187.2 289.9
2006................... 518.4 6.6 24.6 189.5 297.7
2005................... 512.3 6.8 25.3 171.4 308.9
2004................... 539.6 6.5 26.2 168.3 338.5
2003................... 569.4 6.7 27.6 177.0 358.1
2002................... 589.2 6.8 28.8 183.6 370.0
2001................... 605.6 6.3 28.4 182.1 388.8
2000................... 610.5 6.0 28.4 174.7 401.4
1999................... 610.7 5.9 27.7 176.4 400.7
Percent change in rate
2007-2008.......... -4.2 -6.7 -2.9 -2.8 -5.2
2006-2007.......... -2.2 -9.1 -2.4 -1.2 -2.6
2005-2006.......... 1.2 -2.9 -2.8 10.6 -3.6
2004-2005.......... -5.1 4.6 -3.4 1.8 -8.7
2003-2004.......... -5.2 -3.0 -5.1 -4.9 -5.5
2002-2003.......... -3.4 -1.5 -4.2 -3.6 -3.2
2001-2002.......... -2.7 7.9 1.4 0.8 -4.8
2000-2001.......... -0.8 5.0 0.0 4.2 -3.1
1999-2000.......... 0.0 1.7 2.5 -1.0 0.2
1999-2008.......... -20.5 -5.1 -15.9 3.1 -31.4
Note: Rates may not add to total because of rounding.
1
Rates are based on annual population estimates provided by the Demographic Research
Unit, California Department of Finance.
47
Table 2
HOMICIDE CRIMES, 1999-2008
By Gender of Victim
Number, Percent, and Rate per 100,000 Population
Percent change
Gender
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 1999- 2007-
of victim
2008 2008
Total
Number of victims.............. 2,006 2,074 2,201 2,392 2,402 2,394 2,503 2,483 2,258 2,143 6.8 -5.1
Percent of victims............... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
1
Population .........…............... 34,036,000 34,480,000 34,758,000 35,301,000 35,934,000 36,590,814 37,004,661 37,444,385 37,771,431 38,148,493 12.1 1.0
Percent of population......... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Rate...........….…................ 5.9 6.0 6.3 6.8 6.7 6.5 6.8 6.6 6.0 5.6 -5.1 -6.7
Male2
Number of victims........... 1,568 1,666 1,756 1,938 1,972 1,992 2,101 2,070 1,865 1,766 12.6 -5.3
48
Percent of total victims.... 78.2% 80.3% 79.8% 81.0% 82.1% 83.2% 83.9% 83.4% 82.6% 82.4%
Population1.........…............... 17,099,812 17,398,995 17,694,411 17,984,195 18,270,127 18,161,654 18,403,806 18,645,304 18,870,986 19,087,058 11.6 1.1
Percent of population…... 50.2% 50.2% 50.2% 50.2% 50.2% 49.9% 49.9% 49.9% 49.9% 49.9%
Rate.........….…............... 9.2 9.6 9.9 10.8 10.8 11.0 11.4 11.1 9.9 9.3 1.1 -6.1
Female
Number of victims........... 438 408 445 454 430 402 402 413 393 377 -13.9 -4.1
Percent of total victims.... 21.8% 19.7% 20.2% 19.0% 17.9% 16.8% 16.1% 16.6% 17.4% 17.6%
Population1.........…............... 16,972,666 17,254,400 17,538,924 17,818,043 18,093,375 18,214,757 18,450,418 18,689,664 18,939,596 19,159,540 12.9 1.2
Percent of population…... 49.8% 49.8% 49.8% 49.8% 49.8% 50.1% 50.1% 50.1% 50.1% 50.1%
Rate..…....…...…............. 2.6 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.0 -23.1 -4.8
Notes: Rates are based on annual population estimates provided by the Demographic Research Unit, California Department of Finance.
Rates are calculated using the population for each subgroup shown; therefore, they will not add to the rate calculated for the total population.
Population breakdowns by gender will not add to total because of variations in population source data.
The "percent of population" category for male and female was calculated using the sum of the male and female populations.
1
Beginning in 2004, population estimates are based on the 2000 Census. Previous population estimates are based on revisions of the 1990 Census. Readers are advised to exercise care
in interpreting changes in percent and rate between decennial census samples.
2
The "male" category includes homicide victims whose gender could not be determined: 2000 includes two, 2001 includes one, and 2002 includes one.
Table 3
Percent
Race/ethnic group change
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
of victim 1999- 2007-
2008 2008
Total
Number of victims............ 2,006 2,074 2,201 2,392 2,402 2,394 2,503 2,483 2,258 2,143 6.8 -5.1
Percent of victims..…....... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
1
Population .........…........... 34,036,000 34,480,000 34,758,000 35,301,000 35,934,000 36,590,814 37,004,661 37,444,385 37,771,431 38,148,493 12.1 1.0
Percent of population....... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.1% 100.1%
Rate...…....…................... 5.9 6.0 6.3 6.8 6.7 6.5 6.8 6.6 6.0 5.6 -5.1 -6.7
White
Number of victims.…..... 446 421 442 417 444 422 419 432 372 389 -12.8 4.6
Percent of total victims.. 22.2% 20.3% 20.1% 17.4% 18.5% 17.6% 16.7% 17.4% 16.5% 18.2%
1
Population .........…........... 17,339,690 17,421,511 17,503,225 17,573,850 17,635,296 15,967,775 15,852,937 15,766,736 16,423,530 16,428,238 -5.3 0.0
Percent of population.... 50.9% 50.3% 49.7% 49.1% 48.5% 43.9% 43.0% 42.2% 43.4% 43.0%
Rate.....….......…........... 2.6 2.4 2.5 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.7 2.3 2.4 -7.7 4.3
Hispanic
Number of victims…...... 909 933 985 1,066 1,053 1,034 1,139 1,129 1,055 1,003 10.3 -4.9
Population1.........…........... 10,352,763 10,688,752 11,020,710 11,352,852 11,685,915 12,816,038 13,220,223 13,603,759 13,539,990 13,858,454 33.9 2.4
Rate.....….....…............. 8.8 8.7 8.9 9.4 9.0 8.1 8.6 8.3 7.8 7.2 -18.2 -7.7
49
Black
Number of victims…...... 488 589 622 734 713 766 758 736 665 577 18.2 -13.2
1
Population .........…........... 2,320,916 2,337,935 2,355,812 2,373,399 2,390,411 2,425,066 2,456,783 2,491,247 2,263,690 2,271,258 -2.1 0.3
Rate.......…..….............. 21.0 25.2 26.4 30.9 29.8 31.6 30.9 29.5 29.4 25.4 21.0 -13.6
2
Other
Number of victims…...... 157 121 145 166 185 167 182 178 156 159 1.3 1.9
Population1.........…........... 4,059,109 4,205,197 4,353,588 4,502,137 4,651,880 5,167,532 5,324,281 5,473,226 5,583,372 5,688,648 40.1 1.9
Percent of population..... 11.9% 12.1% 12.4% 12.6% 12.8% 14.2% 14.4% 14.7% 14.8% 14.9%
Rate…....…..……........... 3.9 2.9 3.3 3.7 4.0 3.2 3.4 3.3 2.8 2.8 -28.2 0.0
Unknown
Number of victims..….... 6 10 7 9 7 5 5 8 10 15 - -
1
Population .........…........... - - - - - - - - - - - -
Percent of population…. - - - - - - - - - -
Rate........…....….…....... - - - - - - - - - - - -
Notes: Percentages may not add to 100.0 because of rounding.
Rates are based on annual population estimates provided by the Demographic Research Unit, California Department of Finance.
Population breakdowns by race/ethnic group will not add to total because of variations in population source data.
Dash indicates that the percent of population and rate for the "unknown" category cannot be calculated because there are no unknown race/ethnic group population data.
Dash may also indicate that a percent change is not calculated when the base number is less than 50.
The "percent of population" category for race/ethnic group was calculated using the sum of the race/ethnic group populations.
1
Beginning in 2004, population estimates are based on the 2000 Census. Previous population estimates are based on revisions of the 1990 Census. Readers are advised to exercise care
in interpreting changes in percent and rate between decennial census samples.
2
Beginning in 2004, the "other" category includes the new race/ethnic group of "multi-racial." The extent to which this new race/ethnic group affects other population estimates is not known.
Table 4
By Age of Victim
Percent
Age change
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
of victim 1999- 2007-
2008 2008
Total
Number of victims.......… 2,006 2,074 2,201 2,392 2,402 2,394 2,503 2,483 2,258 2,143 6.8 -5.1
Percent of victims........... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Population1........…........... 34,036,000 34,480,000 34,758,000 35,301,000 35,934,000 36,590,814 37,004,661 37,444,385 37,771,431 38,148,493 12.1 1.0
Percent of population..… 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Rate...................….….... 5.9 6.0 6.3 6.8 6.7 6.5 6.8 6.6 6.0 5.6 -5.1 -6.7
Under 18
Number of victims........ 276 246 252 247 240 269 285 316 270 273 -1.1 1.1
Percent of total victims. 13.8% 11.9% 11.4% 10.3% 10.0% 11.2% 11.4% 12.7% 12.0% 12.7%
Population1........…........... 9,587,332 9,770,687 9,932,913 10,095,903 10,248,237 9,575,520 9,620,511 9,664,747 10,007,501 10,003,896 4.3 0.0
Percent of population... 28.1% 28.2% 28.2% 28.2% 28.2% 26.3% 26.1% 25.9% 26.5% 26.2%
Rate........….....…......... 2.9 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.8 3.0 3.3 2.7 2.7 -6.9 0.0
18-29
Number of victims........ 840 888 992 1,098 1,100 1,110 1,151 1,147 998 906 7.9 -9.2
1
Population ........…........... 5,511,604 5,523,472 5,555,926 6,123,037 5,740,606 6,160,386 6,260,103 6,369,559 6,321,492 6,500,288 17.9 2.8
Rate........….....…......... 15.2 16.1 17.9 17.9 19.2 18.0 18.4 18.0 15.8 13.9 -8.6 -12.0
50
30-39
Number of victims........ 364 377 426 449 486 446 473 418 432 381 4.7 -11.8
1
Population ........…........... 5,629,424 5,597,411 5,535,620 4,994,720 5,384,170 5,534,220 5,516,751 5,516,609 5,335,897 5,278,097 -6.2 -1.1
Rate........….....…......... 6.5 6.7 7.7 9.0 9.0 8.1 8.6 7.6 8.1 7.2 10.8 -11.1
40 and over
Number of victims........ 505 534 519 579 560 569 579 586 552 569 12.7 3.1
Population1........…........... 13,344,118 13,761,825 14,208,876 14,588,578 14,990,489 15,106,285 15,456,859 15,784,053 16,145,692 16,464,317 23.4 2.0
Rate........….....…......... 3.8 3.9 3.7 4.0 3.7 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.4 3.5 -7.9 2.9
Unknown
Number of victims........ 21 29 12 19 16 0 15 16 6 14 - -
1
Population ........…........... - - - - - - - - - - - -
Percent of population... - - - - - - - - - -
Rate........….....…......... - - - - - - - - - - - -
Population breakdowns by age will not add to total because of variations in population source data.
Dash indicates that the percent of population and rate for the "unknown" category cannot be calculated because there are no unknown age population data.
Dash may also indicate that a percent change is not calculated when the base number is less than 50.
The "percent of population" category for age group was calculated using the sum of the age populations.
1
Beginning in 2004, population estimates are based on the 2000 Census. Previous population estimates are based on revisions of the 1990 Census. Readers are advised to exercise care in interpreting changes
in percent and rate between decennial census samples.
Table 5
By Gender of Victim
Total Male1 Female
Year(s)
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
2008................ 2,143 100.0 1,766 82.4 377 17.6
2007................ 2,258 100.0 1,865 82.6 393 17.4
2006................ 2,483 100.0 2,070 83.4 413 16.6
2005................ 2,503 100.0 2,101 83.9 402 16.1
2004................ 2,394 100.0 1,992 83.2 402 16.8
2003................ 2,402 100.0 1,972 82.1 430 17.9
2002................ 2,392 100.0 1,938 81.0 454 19.0
2001................ 2,201 100.0 1,756 79.8 445 20.2
2000................ 2,074 100.0 1,666 80.3 408 19.7
1999................ 2,006 100.0 1,568 78.2 438 21.8
1
The "male" category includes homicide victims whose gender could not be determined:
2000 includes two, 2001 includes one, and 2002 includes one.
51
Table 6
Total Known race/ethnic group of victim
Year(s) including Unknown Total White Hispanic Black Other
unknown Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
2008........... 2,143 15 2,128 100.0 389 18.3 1,003 47.1 577 27.1 159 7.5
2007........... 2,258 10 2,248 100.0 372 16.5 1,055 46.9 665 29.6 156 6.9
2006........... 2,483 8 2,475 100.0 432 17.5 1,129 45.6 736 29.7 178 7.2
2005........... 2,503 5 2,498 100.0 419 16.8 1,139 45.6 758 30.3 182 7.3
2004........... 2,394 5 2,389 100.0 422 17.7 1,034 43.3 766 32.1 167 7.0
2003........... 2,402 7 2,395 100.0 444 18.5 1,053 44.0 713 29.8 185 7.7
2002........... 2,392 9 2,383 100.0 417 17.5 1,066 44.7 734 30.8 166 7.0
2001........... 2,201 7 2,194 100.0 442 20.1 985 44.9 622 28.4 145 6.6
2000........... 2,074 10 2,064 100.0 421 20.4 933 45.2 589 28.5 121 5.9
1999........... 2,006 6 2,000 100.0 446 22.3 909 45.5 488 24.4 157 7.9
Table 7
By Age of Victim
Total Known age of victim
Year(s) including Unknown Total Under 18 18-29 30-39 40 and over
unknown Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
2008............... 2,143 14 2,129 100.0 273 12.8 906 42.6 381 17.9 569 26.7
2007............... 2,258 6 2,252 100.0 270 12.0 998 44.3 432 19.2 552 24.5
2006............... 2,483 16 2,467 100.0 316 12.8 1,147 46.5 418 16.9 586 23.8
2005............... 2,503 15 2,488 100.0 285 11.5 1,151 46.3 473 19.0 579 23.3
2004............... 2,394 0 2,394 100.0 269 11.2 1,110 46.4 446 18.6 569 23.8
2003............... 2,402 16 2,386 100.0 240 10.1 1,100 46.1 486 20.4 560 23.5
2002............... 2,392 19 2,373 100.0 247 10.4 1,098 46.3 449 18.9 579 24.4
2001............... 2,201 12 2,189 100.0 252 11.5 992 45.3 426 19.5 519 23.7
2000............... 2,074 29 2,045 100.0 246 12.0 888 43.4 377 18.4 534 26.1
1999............... 2,006 21 1,985 100.0 276 13.9 840 42.3 364 18.3 505 25.4
52
Table 8
HOMICIDE CRIMES, 2008
Race/Ethnic Group of Victim by Gender of Victim
Total White Hispanic Black Other Unknown
Gender
of victim Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Total................ 2,143 100.0 389 100.0 1,003 100.0 577 100.0 159 100.0 15 100.0
Male............. 1,766 82.4 279 71.7 874 87.1 493 85.4 108 67.9 12 -
Female......... 377 17.6 110 28.3 129 12.9 84 14.6 51 32.1 3 -
Note: Dash indicates that percent distributions are not calculated when the base number is less than 50.
Table 9
Race/Ethnic Group of Victim by Age of Victim
Total White Hispanic Black Other Unknown
Age
of victim Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Total including unknown...… 2,143 389 1,003 577 159 15
53
Unknown..…...…...........… 14 0 4 1 0 9
Total known...…...........… 2,129 100.0 389 100.0 999 100.0 576 100.0 159 100.0 6 100.0
Under 18....…...........… 273 12.8 24 6.2 153 15.3 76 13.2 20 12.6 0 -
18-29.…...…...........….. 906 42.6 94 24.2 494 49.4 261 45.3 56 35.2 1 -
30-39.…...…...........….. 381 17.9 49 12.6 189 18.9 110 19.1 32 20.1 1 -
40 and over...…........... 569 26.7 222 57.1 163 16.3 129 22.4 51 32.1 4 -
Note: Dash indicates that percent distributions are not calculated when the base number is less than 50.
Table 10
Race/Ethnic Group of Victim by Gender and Age of Victim
Gender and Total White Hispanic Black Other Unknown
age
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
of victim
Total.…............... 2,143 100.0 389 100.0 1,003 100.0 577 100.0 159 100.0 15 100.0
Under 18......... 273 12.7 24 6.2 153 15.3 76 13.2 20 12.6 0 -
18-19...…........ 200 9.3 20 5.1 112 11.2 55 9.5 13 8.2 0 -
20-24..…......... 397 18.5 41 10.5 219 21.8 116 20.1 20 12.6 1 -
25-29..…......... 309 14.4 33 8.5 163 16.3 90 15.6 23 14.5 0 -
30-34..…......... 220 10.3 23 5.9 115 11.5 62 10.7 19 11.9 1 -
35-39..…......... 161 7.5 26 6.7 74 7.4 48 8.3 13 8.2 0 -
40-44...…........ 140 6.5 33 8.5 61 6.1 38 6.6 8 5.0 0 -
45-49....…....... 120 5.6 48 12.3 32 3.2 33 5.7 7 4.4 0 -
50-54.....…...... 82 3.8 25 6.4 27 2.7 21 3.6 8 5.0 1 -
55 and over..... 227 10.6 116 29.8 43 4.3 37 6.4 28 17.6 3 -
Unknown…...... 14 0.7 0 0.0 4 0.4 1 0.2 0 0.0 9 -
Male......…....... 1,766 100.0 279 100.0 874 100.0 493 100.0 108 100.0 12 100.0
Under 18...... 196 11.1 13 4.7 121 13.8 51 10.3 11 10.2 0 -
18-19...…..... 183 10.4 18 6.5 108 12.4 44 8.9 13 12.0 0 -
20-24...…..... 363 20.6 33 11.8 205 23.5 106 21.5 18 16.7 1 -
54
25-29...…..... 281 15.9 32 11.5 145 16.6 84 17.0 20 18.5 0 -
30-34...…..... 179 10.1 19 6.8 95 10.9 53 10.8 11 10.2 1 -
35-39...…..... 136 7.7 21 7.5 67 7.7 40 8.1 8 7.4 0 -
40-44...…..... 111 6.3 20 7.2 51 5.8 34 6.9 6 5.6 0 -
45-49...…..... 93 5.3 37 13.3 24 2.7 30 6.1 2 1.9 0 -
50-54...…..... 65 3.7 18 6.5 23 2.6 19 3.9 4 3.7 1 -
55 and over.. 147 8.3 68 24.4 31 3.5 31 6.3 15 13.9 2 -
Unknown...... 12 0.7 0 0.0 4 0.5 1 0.2 0 0.0 7 -
Female…........ 377 100.0 110 100.0 129 100.0 84 100.0 51 100.0 3 100.0
Under 18...... 77 20.4 11 10.0 32 24.8 25 29.8 9 17.6 0 -
18-19...…..... 17 4.5 2 1.8 4 3.1 11 13.1 0 0.0 0 -
20-24...…..... 34 9.0 8 7.3 14 10.9 10 11.9 2 3.9 0 -
25-29...…..... 28 7.4 1 0.9 18 14.0 6 7.1 3 5.9 0 -
30-34...…..... 41 10.9 4 3.6 20 15.5 9 10.7 8 15.7 0 -
35-39...…..... 25 6.6 5 4.5 7 5.4 8 9.5 5 9.8 0 -
40-44...…..... 29 7.7 13 11.8 10 7.8 4 4.8 2 3.9 0 -
45-49...…..... 27 7.2 11 10.0 8 6.2 3 3.6 5 9.8 0 -
50-54...…..... 17 4.5 7 6.4 4 3.1 2 2.4 4 7.8 0 -
55 and over.. 80 21.2 48 43.6 12 9.3 6 7.1 13 25.5 1 -
Unknown…... 2 0.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 2 -
Dash indicates that percent distributions are not calculated when the base number is less than 50.
Table 11
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Relationship
of victim to offender Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Total including unknown…..... 2,006 2,074 2,201 2,392 2,402

Unknown.......…................... 761 796 900 969 1,109
Total known..….................... 1,245 100.0 1,278 100.0 1,301 100.0 1,423 100.0 1,293 100.0
Friend, acquaintance1…... 632 50.8 601 47.0 596 45.8 663 46.6 601 46.5
Spouse, parent, child….... 202 16.2 207 16.2 183 14.1 204 14.3 198 15.3
Spouse2...........…........... 85 6.8 115 9.0 87 6.7 97 6.8 93 7.2
Parent, child3.…............. 117 9.4 92 7.2 96 7.4 107 7.5 105 8.1
All other relatives.............. 49 3.9 40 3.1 49 3.8 42 3.0 52 4.0
Stranger....….................... 362 29.1 430 33.6 473 36.4 514 36.1 442 34.2
55
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Percent change
Relationship
of victim to offender (cont.) 1999- 2007-
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
2008 2008
Total including unknown…..... 2,394 2,503 2,483 2,258 2,143
Unknown.......…................... 1,018 1,082 1,109 1,131 1,030
Total known..….................... 1,376 100.0 1,421 100.0 1,374 100.0 1,127 100.0 1,113 100.0 -10.6 -1.2
Friend, acquaintance1…... 667 48.5 548 38.6 593 43.2 475 42.1 540 48.5 -14.6 13.7
Spouse, parent, child….... 174 12.6 174 12.2 180 13.1 155 13.8 169 15.2 -16.3 9.0
Spouse2...........…........... 84 6.1 77 5.4 86 6.3 76 6.7 71 6.4 -16.5 -6.6
Parent, child3.…............. 90 6.5 97 6.8 94 6.8 79 7.0 98 8.8 -16.2 24.1
All other relatives.............. 46 3.3 61 4.3 43 3.1 40 3.5 68 6.1 - -
Stranger....….................... 489 35.5 638 44.9 558 40.6 457 40.6 336 30.2 -7.2 -26.5
Notes: Percentages may not add to subtotals or 100.0 because of rounding.
Dash indicates that a percent change is not calculated when the base number is less than 50.
1
Includes ex-husband, ex-wife, employer, employee, gang member, etc.
2
Includes "common-law" marriage partner.
3
Includes stepmother, stepfather, stepdaughter, and stepson.
Table 12
Gender and Race/Ethnic Group of Victim by Relationship of Victim to Offender
Gender Race/ethnic group
Relationship
Total
of victim to offender Male Female White Hispanic Black Other Unknown
Number
Total including unknown........ 2,143 1,766 377 389 1,003 577 159 15
Unknown......…...…............ 1,030 937 93 124 477 354 61 14
Total known...…................. 1,113 829 284 265 526 223 98 1
Friend, acquaintance1..... 540 413 127 129 255 113 43 0
Spouse, parent, child…... 169 64 105 59 62 20 28 0
Spouse2........…............ 71 12 59 26 25 6 14 0
Parent, child3.…........... 98 52 46 33 37 14 14 0
56
All other relatives..…….... 68 43 25 19 34 10 5 0
Stranger.......…..….......... 336 309 27 58 175 80 22 1
Percent based on total known
Total known...…................. 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Friend, acquaintance1..... 48.5 49.8 44.7 48.7 48.5 50.7 43.9 -
Spouse, parent, child…... 15.2 7.7 37.0 22.3 11.8 9.0 28.6 -
Spouse2........…............ 6.4 1.4 20.8 9.8 4.8 2.7 14.3 -
Parent, child3…............ 8.8 6.3 16.2 12.5 7.0 6.3 14.3 -
All other relatives..…….... 6.1 5.2 8.8 7.2 6.5 4.5 5.1 -
Stranger.......…..….......... 30.2 37.3 9.5 21.9 33.3 35.9 22.4 -
1
2
3
Table 13
Age of Victim by Relationship of Victim to Offender
Relationship Under 40
of victim to offender Total 18 18-29 30-39 and over Unknown
Number
Total including unknown....... 2,143 273 906 381 569 14
Unknown........................... 1,030 95 514 192 215 14
Total known....................... 1,113 178 392 189 354 0

Friend, acquaintance1…. 540 70 210 104 156 0
Spouse, parent, child….. 169 58 13 21 77 0
Spouse2....................... 71 0 9 19 43 0
Parent, child3......…..... 98 58 4 2 34 0
57
All other relatives…........ 68 12 11 7 38 0
Stranger.......................... 336 38 158 57 83 0
Total known....................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 -
Friend, acquaintance1…. 48.5 39.3 53.6 55.0 44.1 -
Spouse, parent, child….. 15.2 32.6 3.3 11.1 21.8 -
Spouse2....................... 6.4 0.0 2.3 10.1 12.1 -
Parent, child3......…..... 8.8 32.6 1.0 1.1 9.6 -
All other relatives…........ 6.1 6.7 2.8 3.7 10.7 -
Stranger.......................... 30.2 21.3 40.3 30.2 23.4 -
1
2
3
Table 14
By County
Number and Rate per 100,000 Population
County 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Number
Statewide total.…... 2,006 2,074 2,201 2,392 2,402 2,394 2,503 2,483 2,258 2,143
Alameda....…...... 85 110 108 144 139 117 126 172 152 147
Alpine........…...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Amador............... 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0
Butte..…............. 4 8 11 5 9 6 10 11 9 7
Calaveras...….... 0 4 2 2 2 3 2 1 0 2
Colusa................ 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Contra Costa.….. 57 56 49 48 74 76 80 93 98 76
Del Norte............ 1 1 1 2 0 1 1 0 2 0
El Dorado..…...... 3 3 5 4 2 2 5 4 4 8
Fresno................ 43 38 61 62 59 69 77 74 73 65
Glenn.................. 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 2 2
58
Humboldt............ 12 4 7 12 8 5 3 5 3 3
Imperial............... 2 4 5 3 12 4 0 3 4 8
Inyo.........……..... 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0
Kern......….......... 52 37 39 51 46 51 69 65 50 57
Kings.....….......... 1 3 1 4 5 6 4 4 7 7
Lake......….......... 4 5 1 4 1 1 1 7 5 5
Lassen................ 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 1
Los Angeles….... 891 1,000 1,070 1,162 1,053 1,038 1,068 1,012 863 806
Madera.…........... 6 10 15 6 7 7 10 2 5 10
Marin....…........... 2 5 3 4 0 3 3 3 1 5
Mariposa............. 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1
Mendocino.......... 7 5 4 4 9 6 4 6 6 7
Merced.…........... 14 6 5 18 16 16 22 22 17 21
Modoc..…........... 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Mono....…........... 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Monterey............. 29 25 26 28 27 33 14 15 29 36
Napa....…............ 2 3 1 2 2 3 1 2 6 1
Nevada..….......... 6 1 6 3 2 1 2 2 2 1
Orange.…........... 92 56 63 77 64 81 77 79 77 72
(continued)
Table 14 - continued
By County
County 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Number
Placer..….…........ 1 5 3 0 10 3 5 6 4 3
Plumas…............ 1 1 1 0 2 2 0 0 1 3
Riverside…......... 89 79 93 111 94 93 109 109 105 90
Sacramento…..... 82 75 78 83 83 92 110 99 91 97
San Benito…....... 1 3 6 1 2 0 1 2 5 3
San Bernardino… 110 145 125 141 163 165 174 161 159 119
San Diego….….... 106 97 92 87 129 127 98 126 107 90
San Francisco...... 64 59 62 68 69 88 96 86 100 98
San Joaquin.….... 39 39 50 59 58 55 56 57 45 35
San Luis Obispo.. 4 3 7 3 7 2 4 6 5 4
San Mateo.…....... 18 10 18 21 20 26 30 22 13 18
59
Santa Barbara….. 5 10 12 8 4 7 9 13 10 14
Santa Clara…...... 37 34 34 37 48 37 43 37 46 50
Santa Cruz…....... 4 9 13 6 13 5 5 16 6 8
Shasta.....…......… 11 3 5 5 5 4 4 8 11 4
Sierra........…........ 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Siskiyou....…........ 0 1 1 4 2 1 4 0 2 1
Solano….….…..... 16 21 10 16 20 19 29 14 31 24
Sonoma.….......... 8 11 12 16 12 17 5 11 8 12
Stanislaus.…....... 25 16 34 15 27 42 30 29 27 31
Sutter........…....... 5 2 5 7 3 3 3 4 2 4
Tehama..…......... 1 5 3 2 1 3 3 5 1 0
Trinity........…....... 1 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0
Tulare........…...... 24 17 26 29 30 25 54 49 38 43
Tuolumne…........ 2 2 1 2 4 2 3 0 1 1
Ventura..……....... 19 24 19 21 42 33 32 29 17 31
Yolo..........…........ 6 6 4 5 5 5 4 4 4 4
Yuba.........…........ 2 3 3 0 5 5 8 3 0 6
(continued)
By County
County 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Rate per 100,000 population
Statewide total.…... 5.9 6.0 6.3 6.8 6.7 6.5 6.8 6.6 6.0 5.6
Alameda....…...... 5.9 7.5 7.3 9.7 9.3 7.8 8.4 11.4 9.9 9.5
Alpine........…...... - - - - - - - - - -
Amador............... - - - - - - - - - -
Butte..…............. 2.0 3.9 5.3 2.4 4.2 2.8 4.6 5.1 4.1 3.2
Calaveras...….... - - - - - - - - - -
Colusa................ - - - - - - - - - -
Contra Costa.….. 6.1 5.8 5.0 4.9 7.4 7.5 7.8 9.0 9.4 7.2
Del Norte............ - - - - - - - - - -
El Dorado..…...... 2.0 1.9 3.1 2.4 1.2 1.2 2.8 2.2 2.2 4.4
Fresno................ 5.4 4.7 7.4 7.4 6.9 7.9 8.6 8.1 7.9 6.9
Glenn.................. - - - - - - - - - -
60
Humboldt............ 9.5 3.1 5.5 9.4 6.2 3.8 2.3 3.8 2.3 2.3
Imperial............... 1.4 2.7 3.3 2.0 7.8 2.5 - 1.8 2.3 4.5
Inyo.........……..... - - - - - - - - - -
Kern......….......... 8.0 5.5 5.7 7.3 6.4 6.9 8.9 8.2 6.2 6.9
Kings.....….......... 0.8 2.2 0.8 3.0 3.6 4.2 2.7 2.7 4.6 4.5
Lake......….......... - - - - - - - - - -
Lassen................ - - - - - - - - - -
Los Angeles….... 9.1 10.3 11.0 11.7 10.5 10.2 10.4 9.8 8.4 7.8
Madera.…........... 5.1 7.8 11.5 4.6 5.2 5.0 7.0 1.4 3.3 6.6
Marin....…........... 0.8 2.0 1.2 1.6 0.0 1.2 1.2 1.2 0.4 1.9
Mariposa............. - - - - - - - - - -
Mendocino.......... - - - - - - - - - -
Merced.…........... 6.8 2.8 2.3 8.1 6.9 6.7 9.0 8.8 6.7 8.2
Modoc..…........... - - - - - - - - - -
Mono....…........... - - - - - - - - - -
Monterey............. 7.4 6.1 6.4 6.8 6.4 7.8 3.3 3.5 6.8 8.4
Napa....…............ 1.6 2.4 0.8 1.6 1.5 2.3 0.7 1.5 4.4 0.7
Nevada..….......... - - - - - - 2.0 - - -
Orange.…........... 3.3 1.9 2.2 2.6 2.1 2.7 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.3
(continued)
By County
County 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Rate per 100,000 population
Placer..….…........ 0.4 2.0 1.1 0.0 3.5 1.0 1.6 1.9 1.2 0.9
Plumas…............ - - - - - - - - - -
Riverside…......... 5.9 5.0 5.7 6.6 5.3 5.0 5.6 5.4 5.1 4.3
Sacramento…..... 6.8 6.0 6.2 6.4 6.2 6.8 8.0 7.1 6.4 6.8
San Benito…....... - - - - - - - - - -
San Bernardino… 6.6 8.3 7.1 7.8 8.7 8.5 8.8 8.0 7.8 5.8
San Diego….….... 3.7 3.4 3.2 3.0 4.3 4.2 3.2 4.1 3.4 2.8
San Francisco...... 8.0 7.5 7.9 8.6 8.8 11.1 12.1 10.7 12.2 11.6
San Joaquin.….... 6.9 6.8 8.5 9.7 9.3 8.5 8.4 8.5 6.6 5.1
San Luis Obispo.. 1.7 1.2 2.8 1.2 2.7 0.8 1.5 2.3 1.9 1.5
San Mateo.…....... 2.5 1.4 2.5 2.9 2.8 3.6 4.2 3.0 1.8 2.4
Santa Barbara….. 1.2 2.5 3.0 2.0 1.0 1.7 2.1 3.1 2.3 3.3
61
Santa Clara…...... 2.2 2.0 2.0 2.2 2.8 2.1 2.4 2.1 2.5 2.7
Santa Cruz…....... 1.6 3.5 5.0 2.3 5.0 1.9 1.9 6.1 2.3 3.0
Shasta.....…......… 6.7 1.8 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.3 2.2 4.4 6.1 2.2
Sierra........…........ - - - - - - - - - -
Siskiyou....…........ - - - - - - - - - -
Solano….….…..... 4.1 5.2 2.5 3.9 4.8 4.5 6.9 3.3 7.3 5.6
Sonoma.….......... 1.8 2.4 2.6 3.4 2.5 3.6 1.0 2.3 1.7 2.5
Stanislaus.…....... 5.7 3.5 7.3 3.1 5.5 8.4 5.9 5.6 5.2 5.9
Sutter........…....... - - - - - - - - - -
Tehama..…......... - - - - - - - - - -
Trinity........…....... - - - - - - - - - -
Tulare........…...... 6.6 4.5 6.9 7.6 7.6 6.2 12.9 11.5 8.8 9.8
Tuolumne…........ - - - - - - - - - -
Ventura..……....... 2.5 3.1 2.5 2.7 5.3 4.1 3.9 3.5 2.1 3.7
Yolo..........…........ 3.8 3.5 2.3 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.1 2.1 2.0 2.0
Yuba.........…........ - - - - - - - - - -
Notes: Dash indicates that a rate is not computed when a county's population is less than 100,000 in a given year.
Rates are calculated using the population for each county shown; therefore, they will not add to the rate calculated for the state.
Table 15
By Season and Month of Incident
Season and month
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
of incident
Number
Total including unknown... 2,006 2,074 2,201 2,392 2,402 2,394 2,503 2,483 2,258 2,143
Unknown........................ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total known................... 2,006 2,074 2,201 2,392 2,402 2,394 2,503 2,483 2,258 2,143
Spring..............…........ 451 464 528 582 566 616 580 609 528 558
March........…........... 142 126 159 189 191 204 195 180 171 203
April..........…........... 147 162 176 188 154 199 191 220 172 166
May..........…............ 162 176 193 205 221 213 194 209 185 189
Summer...........…........ 562 597 581 623 652 648 689 683 656 533
June.........…............ 157 205 165 183 197 190 199 220 206 189
July.........…............. 199 185 208 230 233 228 253 240 228 150
August....….............. 206 207 208 210 222 230 237 223 222 194
Fall...........…............... 516 497 613 638 601 580 629 612 528 532
September............... 171 173 221 253 209 211 183 204 172 200
October.................... 174 174 213 181 213 187 233 209 189 170
November................ 171 150 179 204 179 182 213 199 167 162
62
Winter......................... 477 516 479 549 583 550 605 579 546 520
December…............. 166 210 168 175 210 193 210 200 186 160
January.................... 183 175 171 214 189 197 217 204 210 176
February.................. 128 131 140 160 184 160 178 175 150 184
Total known................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Spring..............…........ 22.5 22.4 24.0 24.3 23.6 25.7 23.2 24.5 23.4 26.0
March........…........... 7.1 6.1 7.2 7.9 8.0 8.5 7.8 7.2 7.6 9.5
April..........…........... 7.3 7.8 8.0 7.9 6.4 8.3 7.6 8.9 7.6 7.7
May..........…............ 8.1 8.5 8.8 8.6 9.2 8.9 7.8 8.4 8.2 8.8
Summer...........…........ 28.0 28.8 26.4 26.0 27.1 27.1 27.5 27.5 29.1 24.9
June.........…............ 7.8 9.9 7.5 7.7 8.2 7.9 8.0 8.9 9.1 8.8
July.........…............. 9.9 8.9 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.5 10.1 9.7 10.1 7.0
August....….............. 10.3 10.0 9.5 8.8 9.2 9.6 9.5 9.0 9.8 9.1
Fall...........…............... 25.7 24.0 27.9 26.7 25.0 24.2 25.1 24.6 23.4 24.8
September............... 8.5 8.3 10.0 10.6 8.7 8.8 7.3 8.2 7.6 9.3
October.................... 8.7 8.4 9.7 7.6 8.9 7.8 9.3 8.4 8.4 7.9
November................ 8.5 7.2 8.1 8.5 7.5 7.6 8.5 8.0 7.4 7.6
Winter......................... 23.8 24.9 21.8 23.0 24.3 23.0 24.2 23.3 24.2 24.3
December…............. 8.3 10.1 7.6 7.3 8.7 8.1 8.4 8.1 8.2 7.5
January.................... 9.1 8.4 7.8 8.9 7.9 8.2 8.7 8.2 9.3 8.2
February.................. 6.4 6.3 6.4 6.7 7.7 6.7 7.1 7.0 6.6 8.6
Note: Percentages may not add to subtotals or 100.0 because of rounding.
Table 16
Gender and Race/Ethnic Group of Victim by Day of Incident
Day
Total
of incident Male Female White Hispanic Black Other Unknown
Number
Total including unknown…....... 2,143 1,766 377 389 1,003 577 159 15
Unknown............................... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total known.......................... 2,143 1,766 377 389 1,003 577 159 15
Weekday.....…................... 1,322 1,068 254 252 590 373 93 14
Monday.....….................. 286 227 59 54 129 80 20 3
Tuesday....….................. 268 227 41 48 115 83 19 3
Wednesday…................. 224 166 58 53 95 61 14 1
Thursday...….................. 235 193 42 42 109 63 17 4
Friday.....…..................... 309 255 54 55 142 86 23 3
Weekend..…...................... 821 698 123 137 413 204 66 1
Saturday.....…................. 394 332 62 69 203 92 30 0
Sunday.......…................. 427 366 61 68 210 112 36 1
63
Total known.......................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Weekday.....…................... 61.7 60.5 67.4 64.8 58.8 64.6 58.5 -
Monday.....….................. 13.3 12.9 15.6 13.9 12.9 13.9 12.6 -
Tuesday....….................. 12.5 12.9 10.9 12.3 11.5 14.4 11.9 -
Wednesday…................. 10.5 9.4 15.4 13.6 9.5 10.6 8.8 -
Thursday...….................. 11.0 10.9 11.1 10.8 10.9 10.9 10.7 -
Friday.....…..................... 14.4 14.4 14.3 14.1 14.2 14.9 14.5 -
Weekend..…...................... 38.3 39.5 32.6 35.2 41.2 35.4 41.5 -
Saturday.....…................. 18.4 18.8 16.4 17.7 20.2 15.9 18.9 -
Sunday.......…................. 19.9 20.7 16.2 17.5 20.9 19.4 22.6 -
1
Average daily number of incidents
Weekday......….................. 5.0 4.1 1.0 1.0 2.3 1.4 0.4 0.1
Weekend......….................. 7.9 6.7 1.2 1.3 4.0 2.0 0.6 0.0
Average daily number of incidents may not add to totals because of rounding.
1
There were 366 days in 2008; 262 weekdays and 104 weekend days. The average daily number of incidents for weekdays was
calculated by dividing weekday totals by 262. The average daily number of incidents for weekends was calculated by dividing
weekend totals by 104.
Table 17
Age of Victim by Day of Incident
Day Under 40
Total 18-29 30-39 Unknown
of incident 18 and over
Number
Total including unknown…....... 2,143 273 906 381 569 14
Unknown............................... 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total known.......................... 2,143 273 906 381 569 14
Weekday.....…................... 1,322 175 515 239 382 11
Monday.....….................. 286 39 106 58 80 3
Tuesday....….................. 268 38 100 60 68 2
Wednesday…................. 224 24 82 40 77 1
Thursday...….................. 235 34 94 33 71 3
Friday.....…..................... 309 40 133 48 86 2
Weekend..…...................... 821 98 391 142 187 3
Saturday.....…................. 394 49 188 74 81 2
Sunday.......…................. 427 49 203 68 106 1
64
Total known.......................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Weekday.....…................... 61.7 64.1 56.8 62.7 67.1 -
Monday.....….................. 13.3 14.3 11.7 15.2 14.1 -
Tuesday....….................. 12.5 13.9 11.0 15.7 12.0 -
Wednesday…................. 10.5 8.8 9.1 10.5 13.5 -
Thursday...….................. 11.0 12.5 10.4 8.7 12.5 -
Friday.....…..................... 14.4 14.7 14.7 12.6 15.1 -
Weekend..…...................... 38.3 35.9 43.2 37.3 32.9 -
Saturday.....…................. 18.4 17.9 20.8 19.4 14.2 -
Sunday.......…................. 19.9 17.9 22.4 17.8 18.6 -
Average daily number of incidents1
Weekday......….................. 5.0 0.7 2.0 0.9 1.5 0.0
Weekend......….................. 7.9 0.9 3.8 1.4 1.8 0.0
Average daily number of incidents may not add to totals because of rounding.
1
There were 366 days in 2008; 262 weekdays and 104 weekend days. The average daily number of incidents for
weekdays was calculated by dividing weekday totals by 262. The average daily number of incidents for weekends
was calculated by dividing weekend totals by 104.
Table 18
By Location of Homicide
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Location
of homicide Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Total including unknown..............… 2,006 2,074 2,201 2,392 2,402

Unknown......…...........…........... 4 4 0 2 0
Total known..…......................... 2,002 100.0 2,070 100.0 2,201 100.0 2,390 100.0 2,402 100.0
Victim's, shared residence..... 686 34.3 612 29.6 573 26.0 655 27.4 623 25.9
Victim's residence..............… 520 26.0 439 21.2 417 18.9 465 19.5 425 17.7
Shared residence..............… 166 8.3 173 8.4 156 7.1 190 7.9 198 8.2
Street, sidewalk….................. 710 35.5 779 37.6 845 38.4 970 40.6 909 37.8
All other...........…..............….. 606 30.3 679 32.8 783 35.6 765 32.0 870 36.2
Hotel, motel..…................... 28 1.4 23 1.1 28 1.3 26 1.1 26 1.1
Other residence..............…. 119 5.9 162 7.8 173 7.9 147 6.2 173 7.2
Liquor store.............…......... 5 0.2 4 0.2 7 0.3 4 0.2 6 0.2
Bar..….....…....…................. 35 1.7 37 1.8 44 2.0 40 1.7 38 1.6
Other business.….…........... 54 2.7 76 3.7 61 2.8 61 2.6 75 3.1
Parking lot....................…... 59 2.9 72 3.5 75 3.4 87 3.6 98 4.1
Vehicle....................…......... 139 6.9 156 7.5 196 8.9 228 9.5 274 11.4
Field, park.…....…............... 129 6.4 120 5.8 167 7.6 134 5.6 147 6.1
School .....….....…............... 5 0.2 2 0.1 3 0.1 1 0.0 3 0.1
Other........…...…................. 33 1.6 27 1.3 29 1.3 37 1.5 30 1.2
65
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Percent change
Location
1999- 2007-
of homicide (cont.) Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
2008 2008
Total including unknown..............… 2,394 2,503 2,483 2,258 2,143
Unknown......…...........…........... 13 25 19 58 69
Total known..…......................... 2,381 100.0 2,478 100.0 2,464 100.0 2,200 100.0 2,074 100.0 3.6 -5.7
Victim's, shared residence..... 630 26.5 567 22.9 548 22.2 485 22.0 517 24.9 -24.6 6.6
Victim's residence..............… 479 20.1 414 16.7 397 16.1 424 19.3 437 21.1 -16.0 3.1
Shared residence..............… 151 6.3 153 6.2 151 6.1 61 2.8 80 3.9 -51.8 31.1
Street, sidewalk….................. 1,046 43.9 1,116 45.0 1,097 44.5 980 44.5 764 36.8 7.6 -22.0
All other...........…..............….. 705 29.6 795 32.1 819 33.2 735 33.4 793 38.2 30.9 7.9
Hotel, motel..…................... 20 0.8 23 0.9 22 0.9 15 0.7 16 0.8 - -
Other residence..............…. 146 6.1 138 5.6 167 6.8 165 7.5 247 11.9 107.6 49.7
Liquor store.............…......... 9 0.4 6 0.2 5 0.2 8 0.4 10 0.5 - -
Bar..….....…....…................. 35 1.5 34 1.4 41 1.7 36 1.6 26 1.3 - -
Other business.….…........... 47 2.0 70 2.8 61 2.5 48 2.2 43 2.1 -20.4 -
Parking lot....................…... 74 3.1 97 3.9 104 4.2 108 4.9 121 5.8 105.1 12.0
Vehicle....................…......... 240 10.1 282 11.4 296 12.0 176 8.0 184 8.9 32.4 4.5
Field, park.…....…............... 102 4.3 94 3.8 92 3.7 125 5.7 102 4.9 -20.9 -18.4
School .....….....…............... 4 0.2 4 0.2 3 0.1 2 0.1 3 0.1 - -
Other........…...…................. 28 1.2 47 1.9 28 1.1 52 2.4 41 2.0 - -21.2
Table 19
Gender and Race/Ethnic Group of Victim by Location of Homicide
Location
Total
of homicide Male Female White Hispanic Black Other Unknown
Number
Total including unknown..............… 2,143 1,766 377 389 1,003 577 159 15
Unknown......…...........…............ 69 52 17 17 27 19 5 1
Total known..….......................... 2,074 1,714 360 372 976 558 154 14
Victim's, shared residence....... 517 322 195 152 202 104 56 3
Victim's residence..............… 437 291 146 120 179 92 43 3
Shared residence..............… 80 31 49 32 23 12 13 0
Street, sidewalk….................... 764 716 48 68 403 270 22 1
All other...........…..............…... 793 676 117 152 371 184 76 10
Hotel, motel..…...................… 16 9 7 7 8 1 0 0
Other residence..............….. 247 200 47 51 126 49 19 2
Liquor store.............….......... 10 10 0 0 4 5 1 0
Bar..….....…....….................. 26 24 2 4 14 2 6 0
Other business.….…............ 43 40 3 8 17 11 6 1
Parking lot....................…..... 121 105 16 20 49 32 18 2
Vehicle....................….......... 184 159 25 22 90 58 12 2
66
Field, park.…....…................ 102 92 10 28 45 14 13 2
School .....….....…................ 3 2 1 2 0 1 0 0
Other........…...….................. 41 35 6 10 18 11 1 1
Total known..….......................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Victim's, shared residence....... 24.9 18.8 54.2 40.9 20.7 18.6 36.4 -
Victim's residence..............… 21.1 17.0 40.6 32.3 18.3 16.5 27.9 -
Shared residence..............… 3.9 1.8 13.6 8.6 2.4 2.2 8.4 -
Street, sidewalk….................... 36.8 41.8 13.3 18.3 41.3 48.4 14.3 -
All other...........…..............…... 38.2 39.4 32.5 40.9 38.0 33.0 49.4 -
Hotel, motel..…...................… 0.8 0.5 1.9 1.9 0.8 0.2 0.0 -
Other residence..............….. 11.9 11.7 13.1 13.7 12.9 8.8 12.3 -
Liquor store.............….......... 0.5 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.9 0.6 -
Bar..….....…....….................. 1.3 1.4 0.6 1.1 1.4 0.4 3.9 -
Other business.….…............ 2.1 2.3 0.8 2.2 1.7 2.0 3.9 -
Parking lot....................…..... 5.8 6.1 4.4 5.4 5.0 5.7 11.7 -
Vehicle....................….......... 8.9 9.3 6.9 5.9 9.2 10.4 7.8 -
Field, park.…....…................ 4.9 5.4 2.8 7.5 4.6 2.5 8.4 -
School .....….....…................ 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.0 -
Other........…...….................. 2.0 2.0 1.7 2.7 1.8 2.0 0.6 -
Table 20
Age of Victim by Location of Homicide
Location Under 40
of homicide 18 and over
Number
Total including unknown..............… 2,143 273 906 381 569 14
Unknown......…...........…............ 69 7 24 11 26 1
Total known..….......................... 2,074 266 882 370 543 13
Victim's, shared residence...... 517 88 121 84 224 0
Victim's residence..............… 437 67 111 73 186 0
Shared residence..............… 80 21 10 11 38 0
Street, sidewalk…................... 764 100 387 133 139 5
All other...........…..............…... 793 78 374 153 180 8
Hotel, motel..…...................… 16 3 2 3 7 1
Other residence..............….. 247 29 114 44 58 2
Liquor store.............…......... 10 0 5 2 3 0
Bar..….....…....…................. 26 0 11 10 5 0
Other business.….…............ 43 3 16 9 15 0
Parking lot....................….... 121 6 63 30 20 2
Vehicle....................…......... 184 17 106 33 27 1
67
Field, park.…....…................ 102 12 41 15 33 1
School .....….....…................ 3 1 1 0 1 0
Other........…...….................. 41 7 15 7 11 1
Total known..….......................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Victim's, shared residence...... 24.9 33.1 13.7 22.7 41.3 -
Victim's residence..............… 21.1 25.2 12.6 19.7 34.3 -
Shared residence..............… 3.9 7.9 1.1 3.0 7.0 -
Street, sidewalk…................... 36.8 37.6 43.9 35.9 25.6 -
All other...........…..............…... 38.2 29.3 42.4 41.4 33.1 -
Hotel, motel..…...................… 0.8 1.1 0.2 0.8 1.3 -
Other residence..............….. 11.9 10.9 12.9 11.9 10.7 -
Liquor store.............…......... 0.5 0.0 0.6 0.5 0.6 -
Bar..….....…....…................. 1.3 0.0 1.2 2.7 0.9 -
Other business.….…............ 2.1 1.1 1.8 2.4 2.8 -
Parking lot....................….... 5.8 2.3 7.1 8.1 3.7 -
Vehicle....................…......... 8.9 6.4 12.0 8.9 5.0 -
Field, park.…....…................ 4.9 4.5 4.6 4.1 6.1 -
School .....….....…................ 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.2 -
Other........…...….................. 2.0 2.6 1.7 1.9 2.0 -
Table 21
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Type
of weapon used Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Total including unknown.….….......... 2,006 2,074 2,201 2,392 2,402

Unknown.........…...…..................... 29 28 28 28 23
Total known....….…........................ 1,977 100.0 2,046 100.0 2,173 100.0 2,364 100.0 2,379 100.0
Firearm........….…........................ 1,334 67.5 1,440 70.4 1,568 72.2 1,735 73.4 1,733 72.8
Handgun...….…....................... 1,152 58.3 1,242 60.7 1,341 61.7 1,555 65.8 1,566 65.8
All other firearms….….............. 182 9.2 198 9.7 227 10.4 180 7.6 167 7.0
Rifle...........…..…................... 62 3.1 66 3.2 67 3.1 80 3.4 62 2.6
Shotgun......…..….................. 63 3.2 55 2.7 68 3.1 60 2.5 53 2.2
Other firearm…..…..……...... 0 0.0 1 0.0 2 0.1 2 0.1 3 0.1
Firearm - unknown type........ 57 2.9 76 3.7 90 4.1 38 1.6 49 2.1
Nonfirearm.................….............. 643 32.5 606 29.6 605 27.8 629 26.6 646 27.2
Knife1.............…....................... 254 12.8 285 13.9 298 13.7 274 11.6 258 10.8
Blunt object2.....…..................... 134 6.8 98 4.8 95 4.4 116 4.9 116 4.9
Personal weapon3....…............ 106 5.4 111 5.4 103 4.7 118 5.0 138 5.8
All other............…..…............... 149 7.5 112 5.5 109 5.0 121 5.1 134 5.6
Rope4............…..................... 60 3.0 40 2.0 37 1.7 41 1.7 58 2.4
Drugs.............…..…............... 8 0.4 3 0.1 4 0.2 5 0.2 2 0.1
Other5.............….................... 81 4.1 69 3.4 68 3.1 75 3.2 74 3.1
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Percent change

Type
1999- 2007-
68
of weapon used (cont.) Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
2008 2008
Total including unknown.….….......... 2,394 2,503 2,483 2,258 2,143
Unknown.........…...…..................... 12 22 25 34 33
Total known....….…........................ 2,382 100.0 2,481 100.0 2,458 100.0 2,224 100.0 2,110 100.0 6.7 -5.1
Firearm........….…........................ 1,730 72.6 1,845 74.4 1,821 74.1 1,610 72.4 1,487 70.5 11.5 -7.6
Handgun...….…....................... 1,462 61.4 1,547 62.4 1,619 65.9 1,373 61.7 1,153 54.6 0.1 -16.0
All other firearms….….............. 268 11.3 298 12.0 202 8.2 237 10.7 334 15.8 83.5 40.9
Rifle...........…..…................... 73 3.1 87 3.5 74 3.0 52 2.3 48 2.3 -22.6 -7.7
Shotgun......…..….................. 69 2.9 75 3.0 70 2.8 73 3.3 64 3.0 1.6 -12.3
Other firearm…..…..……...... 3 0.1 0 0.0 0 0.0 3 0.1 8 0.4 - -
Firearm - unknown type........ 123 5.2 136 5.5 58 2.4 109 4.9 214 10.1 275.4 96.3
Nonfirearm.................….............. 652 27.4 636 25.6 637 25.9 614 27.6 623 29.5 -3.1 1.5
Knife1.............…....................... 282 11.8 291 11.7 314 12.8 298 13.4 297 14.1 16.9 -0.3
Blunt object2.....…..................... 104 4.4 78 3.1 77 3.1 94 4.2 111 5.3 -17.2 18.1
Personal weapon3....…............ 148 6.2 138 5.6 130 5.3 118 5.3 120 5.7 13.2 1.7
All other............…..…............... 118 5.0 129 5.2 116 4.7 104 4.7 95 4.5 -36.2 -8.7
Rope4............…..................... 49 2.1 30 1.2 33 1.3 29 1.3 21 1.0 -65.0 -
Drugs.............…..…............... 5 0.2 2 0.1 5 0.2 1 0.0 2 0.1 - -
Other5.............….................... 64 2.7 97 3.9 78 3.2 74 3.3 72 3.4 -11.1 -2.7
1
Any instrument used to cut or stab.
2
Club, etc.
3
Hands, feet, etc.
4
Any instrument used to hang or strangle.
5
Poison, arson, pellet gun, drowning, etc.
Table 22
Gender and Race/Ethnic Group of Victim by Type of Weapon Used
Type
Total
of weapon used Male Female White Hispanic Black Other Unknown
Number
Total including unknown.….…......... 2,143 1,766 377 389 1,003 577 159 15
Unknown.........…...….................... 33 22 11 8 11 4 5 5
Total known....….…...................... 2,110 1,744 366 381 992 573 154 10
Firearm........….…...................... 1,487 1,307 180 195 725 458 105 4
Handgun...….…...................... 1,153 1,009 144 139 592 335 84 3
All other firearms….…............. 334 298 36 56 133 123 21 1
Rifle...........…..….................. 48 43 5 5 21 14 8 0
Shotgun......…..…................ 64 54 10 16 31 12 5 0
Other firearm…..…..……..... 8 5 3 0 4 4 0 0
Firearm - unknown type....... 214 196 18 35 77 93 8 1
Nonfirearm.................…............. 623 437 186 186 267 115 49 6
Knife1.............…...................... 297 224 73 74 146 52 25 0
Blunt object2.....…................... 111 81 30 45 41 18 6 1
3
Personal weapon ....…........... 120 76 44 42 39 26 12 1
All other............…..….............. 95 56 39 25 41 19 6 4
4
Rope ............…................... 21 11 10 7 7 5 2 0
Drugs.............…..…............. 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 0
Other5.............….................. 72 44 28 17 34 13 4 4
69
Total known....….…...................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Firearm........….…...................... 70.5 74.9 49.2 51.2 73.1 79.9 68.2 -
Handgun...….…...................... 54.6 57.9 39.3 36.5 59.7 58.5 54.5 -
All other firearms….…............. 15.8 17.1 9.8 14.7 13.4 21.5 13.6 -
Rifle...........…..….................. 2.3 2.5 1.4 1.3 2.1 2.4 5.2 -
Shotgun......…..…................ 3.0 3.1 2.7 4.2 3.1 2.1 3.2 -
Other firearm…..…..……..... 0.4 0.3 0.8 0.0 0.4 0.7 0.0 -
Firearm - unknown type....... 10.1 11.2 4.9 9.2 7.8 16.2 5.2 -
Nonfirearm.................…............. 29.5 25.1 50.8 48.8 26.9 20.1 31.8 -
Knife1.............…...................... 14.1 12.8 19.9 19.4 14.7 9.1 16.2 -
2
Blunt object .....…................... 5.3 4.6 8.2 11.8 4.1 3.1 3.9 -
Personal weapon3....…........... 5.7 4.4 12.0 11.0 3.9 4.5 7.8 -
All other............…..….............. 4.5 3.2 10.7 6.6 4.1 3.3 3.9 -
Rope4............…................... 1.0 0.6 2.7 1.8 0.7 0.9 1.3 -
Drugs.............…..…............. 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.0 -
5
Other .............….................. 3.4 2.5 7.7 4.5 3.4 2.3 2.6 -
1
2
Club, etc.
3
Hands, feet, etc.
4
5
Table 23
Age of Victim by Type of Weapon Used
Type Under 40
of weapon used 18 and over
Number
Total including unknown.….…........... 2,143 273 906 381 569 14
Unknown.........…...…..................... 33 6 8 2 13 4
Total known....….…........................ 2,110 267 898 379 556 10
Firearm........….…........................ 1,487 171 738 300 273 5
Handgun...….…........................ 1,153 140 577 236 195 5
All other firearms….….............. 334 31 161 64 78 0
Rifle...........…..…................... 48 6 22 7 13 0
Shotgun......…..….................. 64 7 25 7 25 0
Other firearm…..…..……....... 8 0 6 1 1 0
Firearm - unknown type......... 214 18 108 49 39 0
Nonfirearm.................….............. 623 96 160 79 283 5
Knife1.............…........................ 297 21 107 47 121 1
Blunt object2.....…..................... 111 11 21 13 66 0
Personal weapon3....…............. 120 43 16 10 51 0
All other............…..…............... 95 21 16 9 45 4
Rope4............…..................... 21 3 3 3 12 0
Drugs.............…..…............... 2 1 1 0 0 0
Other5.............….................... 72 17 12 6 33 4
70
Total known....….…........................ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Firearm........….…........................ 70.5 64.0 82.2 79.2 49.1 -
Handgun...….…........................ 54.6 52.4 64.3 62.3 35.1 -
All other firearms….….............. 15.8 11.6 17.9 16.9 14.0 -
Rifle...........…..…................... 2.3 2.2 2.4 1.8 2.3 -
Shotgun......…..….................. 3.0 2.6 2.8 1.8 4.5 -
Other firearm…..…..……....... 0.4 0.0 0.7 0.3 0.2 -
Firearm - unknown type......... 10.1 6.7 12.0 12.9 7.0 -
Nonfirearm.................….............. 29.5 36.0 17.8 20.8 50.9 -
Knife1.............…........................ 14.1 7.9 11.9 12.4 21.8 -
Blunt object2.....…..................... 5.3 4.1 2.3 3.4 11.9 -
Personal weapon3....…............. 5.7 16.1 1.8 2.6 9.2 -
All other............…..…............... 4.5 7.9 1.8 2.4 8.1 -
Rope4............…..................... 1.0 1.1 0.3 0.8 2.2 -
Drugs.............…..…............... 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 -
Other5.............….................... 3.4 6.4 1.3 1.6 5.9 -
1
2
Club, etc.
3
Hands, feet, etc.
4
5
Table 24
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Contributing
circumstance Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Total including unknown…...... 2,006 2,074 2,201 2,392 2,402

Unknown............................... 304 314 317 370 410
Total known.......................... 1,702 100.0 1,760 100.0 1,884 100.0 2,022 100.0 1,992 100.0
Rape, robbery, burglary…. 157 9.2 206 11.7 149 7.9 179 8.9 161 8.1
Rape...............…............ 16 0.9 8 0.5 12 0.6 8 0.4 7 0.4
Robbery.......................... 127 7.5 186 10.6 133 7.1 163 8.1 137 6.9
Burglary…....................... 14 0.8 12 0.7 4 0.2 8 0.4 17 0.9
Argument......…................. 710 41.7 726 41.3 793 42.1 779 38.5 836 42.0
Domestic violence......... 128 7.5 147 8.4 176 9.3 181 9.0 187 9.4
All other argument......... 582 34.2 579 32.9 617 32.7 598 29.6 649 32.6
Gang-, drug-related…........ 487 28.6 581 33.0 726 38.5 816 40.4 772 38.8
Gang-related.................. 402 23.6 506 28.8 647 34.3 730 36.1 669 33.6
Drug-related................... 85 5.0 75 4.3 79 4.2 86 4.3 103 5.2
All other.............…............. 348 20.4 247 14.0 216 11.5 248 12.3 223 11.2
71
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Percent change
Contributing
1999- 2007-
circumstance (cont.) Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
2008 2008
Total including unknown…...... 2,394 2,503 2,483 2,258 2,143
Unknown............................... 320 526 568 825 751
Total known.......................... 2,074 100.0 1,977 100.0 1,915 100.0 1,433 100.0 1,392 100.0 -18.2 -2.9
Rape, robbery, burglary…. 145 7.0 151 7.6 141 7.4 107 7.5 97 7.0 -38.2 -9.3
Rape...............…............ 6 0.3 7 0.4 6 0.3 3 0.2 0 0.0 - -
Robbery.......................... 128 6.2 135 6.8 132 6.9 94 6.6 92 6.6 -27.6 -2.1
Burglary…....................... 11 0.5 9 0.5 3 0.2 10 0.7 5 0.4 - -
Argument......…................. 886 42.7 791 40.0 741 38.7 599 41.8 531 38.1 -25.2 -11.4
Domestic violence......... 163 7.9 160 8.1 141 7.4 119 8.3 113 8.1 -11.7 -5.0
All other argument......... 723 34.9 631 31.9 600 31.3 480 33.5 418 30.0 -28.2 -12.9
Gang-, drug-related…........ 786 37.9 756 38.2 748 39.1 510 35.6 511 36.7 4.9 0.2
Gang-related.................. 698 33.7 653 33.0 645 33.7 469 32.7 469 33.7 16.7 0.0
Drug-related................... 88 4.2 103 5.2 103 5.4 41 2.9 42 3.0 -50.6 -
All other.............…............. 257 12.4 279 14.1 285 14.9 217 15.1 253 18.2 -27.3 16.6
Table 25
Gender and Race/Ethnic Group of Victim by Contributing Circumstance
Contributing
Total
circumstance Male Female White Hispanic Black Other Unknown
Number
Total including unknown.…......... 2,143 1,766 377 389 1,003 577 159 15
Unknown........................…...... 751 635 116 145 300 246 50 10
Total known......…..............…... 1,392 1,131 261 244 703 331 109 5
Rape, robbery, burglary......... 97 84 13 26 39 20 11 1
Rape.......….................…... 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0
Robbery, burglary............... 97 84 13 26 39 20 11 1
Robbery.....…................… 92 83 9 24 38 19 11 0
Burglary.....…................… 5 1 4 2 1 1 0 1
Argument........…................… 531 378 153 146 219 114 50 2
Domestic violence.............… 113 14 99 33 39 22 19 0
All other argument.............… 418 364 54 113 180 92 31 2
Gang-, drug-related..............… 511 487 24 28 324 135 24 0
72
Gang-related..............…..... 469 448 21 19 309 121 20 0
Drug-related....................... 42 39 3 9 15 14 4 0
All other…......…..................… 253 182 71 44 121 62 24 2
Total known......….................… 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Rape, robbery, burglary......... 7.0 7.4 5.0 10.7 5.5 6.0 10.1 -
Rape.......….....................… 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -
Robbery, burglary..............… 7.0 7.4 5.0 10.7 5.5 6.0 10.1 -
Robbery.....…................… 6.6 7.3 3.4 9.8 5.4 5.7 10.1 -
Burglary.....….............….. 0.4 0.1 1.5 0.8 0.1 0.3 0.0 -
Argument........….............….. 38.1 33.4 58.6 59.8 31.2 34.4 45.9 -
Domestic violence.............… 8.1 1.2 37.9 13.5 5.5 6.6 17.4 -
All other argument.............… 30.0 32.2 20.7 46.3 25.6 27.8 28.4 -
Gang-, drug-related.............… 36.7 43.1 9.2 11.5 46.1 40.8 22.0 -
Gang-related.....................… 33.7 39.6 8.0 7.8 44.0 36.6 18.3 -
Drug-related....................… 3.0 3.4 1.1 3.7 2.1 4.2 3.7 -
All other…......…..............….. 18.2 16.1 27.2 18.0 17.2 18.7 22.0 -
Dash indicates that data are not applicable or that percent distributions are not calculated when the base number is less than 50.
Table 26
Age of Victim by Contributing Circumstance
Contributing 70
Total Under 5 5-17 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 Unknown
circumstance and over
Number
Total including unknown…........ 2,143 77 196 906 381 260 162 77 70 14
Unknown.…........................... 751 5 41 316 152 102 65 33 26 11
Total known........................... 1,392 72 155 590 229 158 97 44 44 3
Rape, robbery, burglary...... 97 0 5 27 21 16 16 5 7 0
Rape….........…............... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Robbery........................... 92 0 5 26 21 16 14 5 5 0
Burglary........................... 5 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 0
Argument..…...................... 531 0 25 182 111 102 60 25 25 1
Domestic violence…........ 113 0 2 24 35 26 14 6 6 0
All other argument........... 418 0 23 158 76 76 46 19 19 1
Gang-, drug-related..…....... 511 0 91 308 77 22 10 3 0 0
Gang-related................... 469 0 90 291 63 14 8 3 0 0
73
Drug-related.................... 42 0 1 17 14 8 2 0 0 0
Child abuse...….................. 79 63 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All other….............….......... 174 9 18 73 20 18 11 11 12 2
Total known........................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Rape, robbery, burglary...... 7.0 0.0 3.2 4.6 9.2 10.1 16.5 - - -
Rape….........…............... 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - - -
Robbery........................... 6.6 0.0 3.2 4.4 9.2 10.1 14.4 - - -
Burglary........................... 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 2.1 - - -
Argument..…...................... 38.1 0.0 16.1 30.8 48.5 64.6 61.9 - - -
Domestic violence…........ 8.1 0.0 1.3 4.1 15.3 16.5 14.4 - - -
All other argument........... 30.0 0.0 14.8 26.8 33.2 48.1 47.4 - - -
Gang-, drug-related..…....... 36.7 0.0 58.7 52.2 33.6 13.9 10.3 - - -
Gang-related................... 33.7 0.0 58.1 49.3 27.5 8.9 8.2 - - -
Drug-related.................... 3.0 0.0 0.6 2.9 6.1 5.1 2.1 - - -
Child abuse...….................. 5.7 87.5 10.3 - - - - - - -
All other….............….......... 12.5 12.5 11.6 12.4 8.7 11.4 11.3 - - -
Dash indicates that data are not applicable or that percent distributions are not calculated when the base number is less than 50.
Table 27
Contributing Circumstance by Relationship of Victim to Offender
Gang-,
Relationship Robbery, Child All
Total Rape Argument1 drug- Unknown
of victim to offender burglary abuse other
related
Number
Total including unknown….....… 2,143 0 97 531 511 79 174 751
Unknown..…..............…......… 1,030 0 50 61 293 6 82 538
Total known.…..........…......… 1,113 0 47 470 218 73 92 213
Friend, acquaintance2…..… 540 0 16 258 129 14 45 78
Spouse3......….................… 71 0 0 62 0 0 3 6
Parent, child4…...…….....… 98 0 0 21 0 52 6 19
All other relatives….….....… 68 0 1 30 0 6 15 16
74
Stranger...........…............… 336 0 30 99 89 1 23 94
Total known.…..........…......… 100.0 - 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Friend, acquaintance2…..… 48.5 - - 54.9 59.2 19.2 48.9 36.6
Spouse3......….................… 6.4 - - 13.2 0.0 0.0 3.3 2.8
Parent, child4…...….…....… 8.8 - - 4.5 0.0 71.2 6.5 8.9
All other relatives….….....… 6.1 - - 6.4 0.0 8.2 16.3 7.5
Stranger...........…............… 30.2 - - 21.1 40.8 1.4 25.0 44.1
1
Includes domestic violence.
2
3
4
Table 28
HOMICIDE CRIMES CLEARED, 1999-2008
Number Reported, Number Cleared, and Clearance Rate
Number of Number of
Clearance
Year(s) homicides homicides
rate1
reported cleared
2008…………… 2,143 1,227 57.3
2007…………… 2,258 1,208 53.5
2006…………… 2,483 1,292 52.0
2005..............… 2,503 1,249 49.9
2004..............… 2,394 1,314 54.9
2003..............… 2,402 1,323 55.1
2002..............… 2,392 1,362 56.9
2001..............… 2,201 1,091 49.6
2000..............… 2,074 1,082 52.2
1999................. 2,006 1,200 59.8
1
A clearance rate is the percentage of crimes (homicides) reported that have
been cleared. It is calculated by dividing the number of homicides cleared by
the number of homicides reported. The result is multiplied by 100. See
Appendix III - Glossary for a detailed explanation of clearances.
75
Table 29
FELONY ARRESTS FOR
SELECTED VIOLENT OFFENSES, 1999-2008
Number, Rate per 100,000 Population at Risk, and Percent Change
Forcible
Year(s) Total Homicide Robbery Assault
rape
Number
2008.................... 126,252 1,850 2,103 22,488 99,811
2007.................... 127,633 2,017 2,164 21,614 101,838
2006.................... 124,624 1,967 2,122 20,376 100,159
2005.................... 123,967 1,956 2,098 18,218 101,695
2004.................... 125,263 1,978 2,237 17,864 103,184
2003.................... 129,522 1,839 2,456 17,501 107,726
2002.................... 130,295 1,864 2,549 16,957 108,925
2001.................... 134,398 1,754 2,730 17,167 112,747
2000.................... 130,259 1,627 2,702 17,122 108,808
1999.................... 134,319 1,770 2,887 18,753 110,909
Percent change in number
2007 to 2008....... -1.1 -8.3 -2.8 4.0 -2.0
2006 to 2007....... 2.4 2.5 2.0 6.1 1.7
2005 to 2006....... 0.5 0.6 1.1 11.8 -1.5
2004 to 2005....... -1.0 -1.1 -6.2 2.0 -1.4
2003 to 2004....... -3.3 7.6 -8.9 2.1 -4.2
2002 to 2003....... -0.6 -1.3 -3.6 3.2 -1.1
2001 to 2002....... -3.1 6.3 -6.6 -1.2 -3.4
2000 to 2001....... 3.2 7.8 1.0 0.3 3.6
1999 to 2000....... -3.0 -8.1 -6.4 -8.7 -1.9
1999 to 2008....... -6.0 4.5 -27.2 19.9 -10.0
Rate per 100,000 population at risk1
2008.................... 422.1 6.2 7.0 75.2 333.7
2007.................... 431.8 6.8 7.3 73.1 344.5
2006.................... 426.3 6.7 7.3 69.7 342.6
2005.................... 430.3 6.8 7.3 63.2 353.0
2004.................... 441.7 7.0 7.9 63.0 363.9
2003.................... 465.6 6.6 8.8 62.9 387.3
2002.................... 477.2 6.8 9.3 62.1 399.0
2001.................... 502.5 6.6 10.2 64.2 421.6
2000.................... 497.1 6.2 10.3 65.3 415.2
1999.................... 522.4 6.9 11.2 72.9 431.4
Percent change in rate
2007 to 2008....... -2.2 -8.8 -4.1 2.9 -3.1
2006 to 2007....... 1.3 1.5 0.0 4.9 0.6
2005 to 2006....... -0.9 -1.5 0.0 10.3 -2.9
2004 to 2005....... -2.6 -2.9 -7.6 0.3 -3.0
2003 to 2004....... -5.1 6.1 -10.2 0.2 -6.0
2002 to 2003....... -2.4 -2.9 -5.4 1.3 -2.9
2001 to 2002....... -5.0 3.0 -8.8 -3.3 -5.4
2000 to 2001....... 1.1 6.5 -1.0 -1.7 1.5
1999 to 2000....... -4.8 -10.1 -8.0 -10.4 -3.8
1999 to 2008....... -19.2 -10.1 -37.5 3.2 -22.6
Notes: Rates may not add to total because of rounding.
Rates are based on annual population estimates provided by the Demographic
Research Unit, California Department of Finance.
1
Rates are based on the total population at risk (10-69 years of age).
76
Table 30
HOMICIDE ARRESTS, 1999-2008
By Gender of Arrestee
Total Male Female
Year(s)
2008.............. 1,850 100.0 1,652 89.3 198 10.7
2007.............. 2,017 100.0 1,802 89.3 215 10.7
2006.............. 1,967 100.0 1,732 88.1 235 11.9
2005.............. 1,956 100.0 1,737 88.8 219 11.2
2004.............. 1,978 100.0 1,745 88.2 233 11.8
2003.............. 1,839 100.0 1,627 88.5 212 11.5
2002.............. 1,864 100.0 1,655 88.8 209 11.2
2001.............. 1,754 100.0 1,537 87.6 217 12.4
2000.............. 1,627 100.0 1,426 87.6 201 12.4
1999.............. 1,770 100.0 1,579 89.2 191 10.8
77
Table 31
By Race/Ethnic Group of Arrestee
Total White Hispanic Black Other
Year(s)
2008.............. 1,850 100.0 346 18.7 944 51.0 436 23.6 124 6.7
2007.............. 2,017 100.0 373 18.5 1,022 50.7 495 24.5 127 6.3
2006.............. 1,967 100.0 351 17.8 910 46.3 539 27.4 167 8.5
2005.............. 1,956 100.0 386 19.7 946 48.4 487 24.9 137 7.0
2004.............. 1,978 100.0 409 20.7 932 47.1 476 24.1 161 8.1
2003.............. 1,839 100.0 424 23.1 812 44.2 456 24.8 147 8.0
2002.............. 1,864 100.0 349 18.7 897 48.1 455 24.4 163 8.7
2001.............. 1,754 100.0 400 22.8 832 47.4 406 23.1 116 6.6
2000.............. 1,627 100.0 374 23.0 698 42.9 397 24.4 158 9.7
1999.............. 1,770 100.0 382 21.6 845 47.7 417 23.6 126 7.1
Table 32
By Age of Arrestee
Total Under 18 18-29 30-39 40 and over
Year(s)
2008.............. 1,850 100.0 221 11.9 1,098 59.4 273 14.8 258 13.9
2007.............. 2,017 100.0 235 11.7 1,193 59.1 293 14.5 296 14.7
2006.............. 1,967 100.0 241 12.3 1,154 58.7 267 13.6 305 15.5
2005.............. 1,956 100.0 185 9.5 1,207 61.7 281 14.4 283 14.5
2004.............. 1,978 100.0 185 9.4 1,143 57.8 313 15.8 337 17.0
2003.............. 1,839 100.0 167 9.1 1,077 58.6 326 17.7 269 14.6
2002.............. 1,864 100.0 215 11.5 1,097 58.9 293 15.7 259 13.9
2001.............. 1,754 100.0 194 11.1 1,011 57.6 291 16.6 258 14.7
2000.............. 1,627 100.0 160 9.8 913 56.1 299 18.4 255 15.7
1999.............. 1,770 100.0 182 10.3 1,037 58.6 317 17.9 234 13.2
78
Table 33
HOMICIDE ARRESTS, 2008
Race/Ethnic Group of Arrestee by Gender and Age of Arrestee
Gender and age Total White Hispanic Black Other
of arrestee Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Total
Total...................... 1,850 100.0 346 100.0 944 100.0 436 100.0 124 100.0
Gender
Male................... 1,652 89.3 289 83.5 857 90.8 393 90.1 113 91.1
Female....…........ 198 10.7 57 16.5 87 9.2 43 9.9 11 8.9
Age
Under 18............ 221 11.9 12 3.5 117 12.4 78 17.9 14 11.3
18-29.....…......... 1,098 59.4 154 44.5 628 66.5 250 57.3 66 53.2
30-39.....…......... 273 14.8 74 21.4 131 13.9 46 10.6 22 17.7
40 and over........ 258 13.9 106 30.6 68 7.2 62 14.2 22 17.7
Table 34
HOMICIDE ARRESTS, 2008
Race/Ethnic Group of Arrestee by Gender and Age of Arrestee
Gender and age Total White Hispanic Black Other
of arrestee Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Total.......................... 1,850 100.0 346 100.0 944 100.0 436 100.0 124 100.0
Under 18..….......... 221 11.9 12 3.5 117 12.4 78 17.9 14 11.3
18-19..................... 317 17.1 34 9.8 182 19.3 74 17.0 27 21.8
20-24..................... 496 26.8 59 17.1 288 30.5 127 29.1 22 17.7
25-29..................... 285 15.4 61 17.6 158 16.7 49 11.2 17 13.7
30-34..................... 135 7.3 35 10.1 71 7.5 20 4.6 9 7.3
35-39..................... 138 7.5 39 11.3 60 6.4 26 6.0 13 10.5
40-44..................... 86 4.6 31 9.0 27 2.9 23 5.3 5 4.0
45-49..................... 49 2.6 22 6.4 13 1.4 10 2.3 4 3.2
50-54..................... 53 2.9 18 5.2 14 1.5 19 4.4 2 1.6
55 and over…........ 70 3.8 35 10.1 14 1.5 10 2.3 11 8.9
Male........…........... 1,652 100.0 289 100.0 857 100.0 393 100.0 113 100.0
Under 18..…....... 206 12.5 10 3.5 109 12.7 75 19.1 12 10.6
18-19.................. 296 17.9 29 10.0 171 20.0 71 18.1 25 22.1
20-24.................. 447 27.1 49 17.0 262 30.6 115 29.3 21 18.6
25-29.................. 254 15.4 51 17.6 144 16.8 44 11.2 15 13.3
30-34.................. 120 7.3 31 10.7 63 7.4 17 4.3 9 8.0
35-39.................. 111 6.7 28 9.7 52 6.1 19 4.8 12 10.6
40-44.................. 68 4.1 25 8.7 21 2.5 18 4.6 4 3.5
45-49.................. 41 2.5 19 6.6 10 1.2 8 2.0 4 3.5
50-54.................. 48 2.9 16 5.5 14 1.6 16 4.1 2 1.8
55 and over…..... 61 3.7 31 10.7 11 1.3 10 2.5 9 8.0
Female..…............. 198 100.0 57 100.0 87 100.0 43 100.0 11 100.0
Under 18............. 15 7.6 2 3.5 8 9.2 3 - 2 -
18-19.................. 21 10.6 5 8.8 11 12.6 3 - 2 -
20-24.................. 49 24.7 10 17.5 26 29.9 12 - 1 -
25-29.................. 31 15.7 10 17.5 14 16.1 5 - 2 -
30-34.................. 15 7.6 4 7.0 8 9.2 3 - 0 -
35-39.................. 27 13.6 11 19.3 8 9.2 7 - 1 -
40-44.................. 18 9.1 6 10.5 6 6.9 5 - 1 -
45-49.................. 8 4.0 3 5.3 3 3.4 2 - 0 -
50-54.................. 5 2.5 2 3.5 0 0.0 3 - 0 -
55 and over…..... 9 4.5 4 7.0 3 3.4 0 - 2 -
79
Table 35
PERSONS UNDER CALIFORNIA
SENTENCE OF DEATH, 1978-2008
Total
Initial persons under
Year(s)
sentences sentence of
death1, 2
2008.…….............. 21 665
2007.…….............. 17 659
2006.…….............. 17 649
2005.…….............. 22 641
2004.…….............. 12 632
2003.…….............. 22 626
2002.…….............. 17 610
2001..……............. 25 600
2000..……............. 33 583
1999..……............. 42 550
1998..……............. 32 513
1997...……............ 40 492
1996..……............. 40 460
1995...……............ 38 427
1994.…….............. 21 393
1993.…….............. 34 376
1992....……........... 40 348
1991.......……........ 26 308
1990...……............ 33 281
1989....……........... 33 249
1988……............... 34 225
1987……............... 25 203
1986……............... 21 179
1985.…….............. 16 160
1984.…….............. 27 161
1983.…….............. 35 143
1982.…….............. 39 113
1981.…….............. 39 80
1980……............... 23 42
1979……............... 20 25
1978……............... 7 7
Source: Offender-Based Transaction Statistics, California Department of
Justice (initial sentences) and California Appellate Project (total
persons under sentence of death).
1
Total persons under sentence of death on December 31 of each year.
Persons with multiple California death sentences are counted once.
2
The increase in the total number of persons under sentence of death from
year-to-year will not equal the number of initial sentences reported each
year. This is because, in addition to initial sentences, persons may be
resentenced to death, no longer under sentence of death because of
execution or death by other causes, removed pending retrial, resentenced
to a penalty less than death, or freed.
80
Table 36
PERSONS SENTENCED TO DEATH, 2008
Sentencing County by Gender, Race/Ethnic Group, and Age
Gender Race/ethnic group Age at arrest
Sentencing
Total Under 40 and
county Male Female White Hispanic Black Other 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39
20 over
Total......................... 21 21 0 4 9 7 1 1 6 6 2 2 4
Alameda................ 3 3 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 2
Los Angeles.......... 6 6 0 1 3 2 0 1 1 1 1 0 2
81
Orange.................. 4 4 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 0
Riverside............... 4 4 0 1 1 2 0 0 2 1 0 1 0
San Bernardino..... 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
San Diego............. 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Yolo....................... 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Note: This table does not include persons resentenced to death after their death sentence was reversed on appeal.
Table 37
HOMICIDE CRIMES AND PEACE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, 1999-2008
Number and Rate per 100,000 Respective Population
Sworn law Peace officers killed

California Homicides
Year(s) enforcement in the line of duty
population
Number1 Rate personnel2 Number Rate
2008.............. 38,148,493 2,143 5.6 81,402 3 3.7
2007.............. 37,771,431 2,258 6.0 78,724 4 5.1
2006.............. 37,444,385 2,483 6.6 75,625 5 6.6
2005.............. 37,004,661 2,503 6.8 74,445 5 6.7
2004.............. 36,590,814 2,394 6.5 73,951 4 5.4
2003.............. 35,934,000 2,402 6.7 75,336 6 8.0
2002.............. 35,301,000 2,392 6.8 75,612 4 5.3
2001.............. 34,758,000 2,201 6.3 72,119 6 8.3
2000.............. 34,480,000 2,074 6.0 69,029 2 2.9
1999...........… 34,036,000 2,006 5.9 69,363 4 5.8
Note: Homicide rates are based on annual population estimates provided by the Demographic Research
Unit, California Department of Finance.
1
82
Includes peace officers feloniously killed in the line of duty.
2
Personnel in the Department of Justice and other state regulatory agencies are not included.
Table 38
PEACE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, 2008
Contributing circumstance Number Percent
Total..............…....................…........…......... 3 100.0
Attempted arrest..............…....................… 1 -
Domestic disturbance call..............…......... 1 -
Traffic pursuit/stop..............….................... 1 -
Note: Dash indicates that percent distributions are not calculated when the
base number is less than 50.
Table 39
JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDES BY PEACE OFFICERS
OR PRIVATE CITIZENS, 2008
By Gender, Race/Ethnic Group, and Age of Deceased
Gender, Peace officer Private citizen
Total
race/ethnic group, justifiable justifiable
and
age of deceased
Total
Total.................... 129 100.0 102 100.0 27 100.0
Gender
Male.................... 123 95.3 98 96.1 25 92.6
Female................. 6 4.7 4 3.9 2 7.4
Race/ethnic group
White................... 32 24.8 25 24.5 7 25.9
Hispanic............... 56 43.4 47 46.1 9 33.3
Black.................... 31 24.0 23 22.5 8 29.6
Other.................... 10 7.8 7 6.9 3 11.1
Unknown.............. 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Age
Under 18.............. 8 6.2 6 5.9 2 7.4
18-29.................... 57 44.2 47 46.1 10 37.0
18-19................. 4 3.1 3 2.9 1 3.7
20-24................. 29 22.5 24 23.5 5 18.5
25-29................. 24 18.6 20 19.6 4 14.8
30-39.................... 35 27.1 25 24.5 10 37.0
30-34................. 21 16.3 14 13.7 7 25.9
35-39................. 14 10.9 11 10.8 3 11.1
40 and over.......... 29 22.5 24 23.5 5 18.5
40-44................. 6 4.7 5 4.9 1 3.7
45-49................. 9 7.0 6 5.9 3 11.1
50-54................. 4 3.1 4 3.9 0 0.0
55 and over....... 10 7.8 9 8.8 1 3.7
Unknown.............. 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
83
Table 40
Location
Number Percent
of justifiable homicide
Total
Total....................……................... 129
Peace officer justifiable
Total.....….........…….................. 102 100.0
Felon's residence……............. 21 20.6
Other residence....................… 9 8.8
Street, sidewalk....................… 44 43.1
Commercial establishment...... 3 2.9
Hotel, motel....................…… 0 0.0
Liquor store....................…… 0 0.0
Bar....................……............. 0 0.0
Other business....................… 3 2.9
All other....................……........ 25 24.5
Parking lot....................……. 3 2.9
Vehicle....................……...... 7 6.9
Field, park....................……. 5 4.9
Other....................……......... 10 9.8
Citizen justifiable
Total....................……................ 27 100.0
Citizen's, shared residence..... 7 25.9
Citizen's residence............... 5 18.5
Shared residence................. 2 7.4
Other residence....................… 5 18.5
Felon's residence................. 3 11.1
Other residence.................... 2 7.4
Street, sidewalk....................… 5 18.5
Commercial establishment...... 4 14.8
Hotel, motel....................…… 0 0.0
Liquor store....................…… 1 3.7
Bar....................……............. 0 0.0
Other business....................… 3 11.1
All other....................……........ 6 22.2
Parking lot....................……. 3 11.1
Vehicle....................……...... 1 3.7
Field, park....................……. 2 7.4
Other....................……......... 0 0.0
Note: Percentages may not add to subtotals or 100.0 because of rounding.
84
Table 41
Contributing circumstance Number Percent

Total
Total.....................……….................................... 129
Peace officer justifiable
Total ...................…………..........…...…............ 102 100.0
Felon attacked peace officer..…..…................ 65 63.7
Felon killed during commission of crime.......... 8 7.8
Felon resisted arrest........................................ 8 7.8
All other........................................................ 21 20.6
Felon attacked another peace officer........... 5 4.9
Felon attacked citizen................................... 3 2.9
Felon attempted flight................................... 3 2.9
Details not provided...................................... 10 9.8
Citizen justifiable
Total ..........................…….......……................... 27 100.0
Felon attacked citizen...................................... 15 55.6
Felon killed during commission of crime.......... 9 33.3
Details not provided......................................... 3 11.1
Table 42
Type Peace officer Citizen

Total
of justifiable justifiable
weapon used Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Total.........…….................…….. 129 100.0 102 100.0 27 100.0
Firearm..…...................……... 118 91.5 101 99.0 17 63.0
Handgun..................……..... 87 67.4 75 73.5 12 44.4
Rifle.......…....….........……... 13 10.1 11 10.8 2 7.4
Shotgun.................……....... 7 5.4 6 5.9 1 3.7
Other firearm.........……....... 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Firearm - unknown type...... 11 8.5 9 8.8 2 7.4
Nonfirearm..….............…….... 11 8.5 1 1.0 10 37.0
Knife1.........……........…....... 9 7.0 1 1.0 8 29.6
Personal weapon2.........…… 1 0.8 0 0.0 1 3.7
Other3.........……........…...... 1 0.8 0 0.0 1 3.7
Note: Percentages may not add to subtotals or to 100.0 because of rounding.
1
2
Hands, feet, etc.
3
85
Table 43
POPULATION ESTIMATES, 1960-2008
Total Population at risk
Year(s)
population Total1 Adult2 Juvenile3
2008................ 38,148,493 29,910,167 25,302,852 4,607,315
2007................ 37,771,431 29,558,540 24,902,100 4,656,440
2006................ 37,444,385 29,236,911 24,731,088 4,505,823
2005................ 37,004,661 28,809,579 24,316,140 4,493,439
2004................ 36,590,814 28,357,204 23,906,564 4,450,640
2003................ 35,934,000 27,815,344 23,295,523 4,519,821
2002................ 35,301,000 27,302,433 22,927,383 4,375,050
2001................ 34,758,000 26,745,137 22,555,739 4,189,398
2000................ 34,480,000 26,203,950 22,198,297 4,005,653
1999................ 34,036,000 25,711,892 21,855,190 3,856,702
1998................ 33,494,000 25,263,064 21,498,170 3,764,894
1997................ 32,957,000 25,760,375 21,934,916 3,825,459
1996................ 32,383,000 25,554,242 21,825,735 3,728,507
1995................ 32,063,000 25,122,782 21,505,839 3,616,943
1994................ 32,140,000 24,703,379 21,193,571 3,509,808
1993................ 31,742,000 24,334,534 20,923,632 3,410,902
1992................ 31,300,000 23,975,578 20,661,120 3,314,458
1991................ 30,646,000 23,585,168 20,356,984 3,228,184
1990................ 29,557,836 23,178,961 20,027,633 3,151,328
1989................ 28,771,207 22,524,392 19,451,763 3,072,629
1988................ 28,060,746 21,969,953 18,885,349 3,084,604
1987................ 27,388,477 21,483,563 18,378,758 3,104,805
1986................ 26,741,621 21,009,362 17,903,122 3,106,240
1985................ 26,112,632 20,563,314 17,468,941 3,094,373
1984................ 25,587,254 20,167,923 17,083,479 3,084,444
1983................ 25,075,581 19,860,746 16,763,095 3,097,651
1982................ 24,546,566 19,510,945 16,415,571 3,095,374
1981................ 24,038,711 19,172,812 16,082,355 3,090,457
1980................ 23,668,145 18,824,197 15,778,999 3,045,198
1979................ 23,255,000 18,371,691 15,323,376 3,048,315
1978................ 22,839,000 18,012,901 14,916,032 3,096,869
1977................ 22,350,000 17,619,453 14,470,680 3,148,773
1976................ 21,935,000 17,269,884 14,080,872 3,189,012
1975................ 21,537,000 16,914,556 13,694,793 3,219,763
1974................ 21,173,000 16,563,671 13,339,906 3,223,765
1973................ 20,868,000 16,237,031 13,031,007 3,206,024
1972................ 20,585,000 15,926,249 12,758,809 3,167,440
1971................ 20,346,000 15,657,238 12,542,795 3,114,443
1970................ 20,039,000 15,378,312 12,339,580 3,038,732
1969................ 19,856,000 14,697,200 11,657,600 3,039,600
1968................ 19,554,000 14,379,400 11,403,700 2,975,700
1967................ 19,478,000 14,065,700 11,159,800 2,905,900
1966................ 19,132,000 13,696,700 10,872,500 2,824,200
1965................ 18,756,000 13,377,400 10,620,600 2,756,800
1964................ 18,234,000 12,981,700 10,311,100 2,670,600
1963................ 17,675,000 12,564,600 10,047,700 2,516,900
1962................ 17,044,000 12,099,200 9,740,000 2,359,200
1961................ 16,445,000 11,697,900 9,469,100 2,228,800
1960................ 15,860,000 11,314,900 9,203,300 2,111,600
Source: Population estimates were provided by the Demographic Research Unit,
California Department of Finance.
1
Total population at risk, 10-69 years of age.
2
Adult population at risk, 18-69 years of age.
3
Juvenile population at risk, 10-17 years of age.
86
Appendices
Appendix I
Data Characteristics and Known Limitations
HOMICIDE CRIMES Relationship – The relationship reported is that of

the victim to the offender. For example, if a wife
Homicide data are obtained from the
is killed by her husband the reported relationship
Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR). The
is wife.
SHR is submitted monthly by local California law
enforcement agencies as part of the national
Circumstances – Statements of circumstances
Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system.
must be based on information known to law
enforcement, not decisions of a grand jury,
The number of reported homicide crimes
coroner’s inquest, or other agency outside law
represents known victims.
enforcement. The reporting agency provides
a brief statement as to the circumstances or
Per UCR definition, suicides, fetal deaths, traffic
precipitating events leading to the victim’s death.
fatalities, accidental deaths, assaults to murder,
If the killing occurred in conjunction with the
and attempts to murder are not classified as
commission of another felony such as a robbery
criminal homicide and are not included in this
or rape, the agency identifies the specific offense
report.
involved.
The findings of a court, coroner’s inquest, etc.,
do not affect classifying or scoring of the SHR
homicide counts.
ARRESTS
Monthly Arrest and Citation Register (MACR)
Detailed data regarding the criminal homicide
category can only be as comprehensive as the Arrest data from the MACR reporting system
input provided by the individual contributing are designed to collect data on the number of
agency. persons arrested, not the number of charges
lodged.
Offender data (race/ethnicity, age, and gender)
are based on law enforcement identification of If a person is arrested for multiple offenses, MACR
the offender as a suspect. No follow-up is made selects only the most serious offense, based on
to determine if a conviction was obtained. the severity of possible punishment.
Weapon – Reporting agencies report a complete The subjectivity of the classification and labeling
description of the weapon and the ways in which process must be considered in the analysis of
the weapon was used. For example, if a bottle race/ethnic group data.
was used in the commission of a murder, the
agency will state whether the person was killed
by beating, cutting, or stabbing.
89
Data Characteristics and Known Limitations (continued)
ADULT FELONY ARREST DISPOSITIONS POPULATION

Offender-Based Transaction Statistics (OBTS)
Since 2004, the population estimates used to
To provide the most valid data possible, the calculate rates have been based on revisions of
disposition section of this report has been the 2000 Census. Prior to 2003, these population
removed. In 2001, Criminal Justice Statistics estimates were based on revisions of the 1990
Center staff determined that a number of Census. Readers are advised to exercise care
homicide arrests submitted to the DOJ’s in interpreting changes in percent and rate
Automated Criminal History System (from which between decennial census samples. In addition,
adult felony arrest disposition data are extracted) the “other” population category now includes the
between 1999 and 2001 should have been Department of Finance’s race/ethnic group of
submitted as arrests for attempted homicide. As “multi-racial.”
a result, more homicide arrests were counted
during these years than occurred. This caused a
lower percentage of homicide convictions and a
higher percentage of assault convictions. (Both
percentages were based on the number of adult
felony arrests for homicide for which dispositions
were received.) It should be noted that the DOJ
has addressed this issue and that the exclusion
of disposition data does not affect crime, arrest,
death penalty, or other data included in this or
past reports. When homicide disposition data are
once again determined to be accurate, they will
be included in this publication.
90
Appendix II
Computational Formulas
ARREST RATE – An arrest rate describes the number of arrests made by law enforcement agencies per
100,000 total population or per 100,000 population considered to be at risk for arrest (10–69 years of age).
The at-risk population can be further distinguished by adults at risk (aged 18–69 years) and juveniles at risk
(aged 10–17 years). Regardless of the population used, both rates are calculated in the same manner. An
arrest rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported arrests by the respective population; the result
is multiplied by 100,000. For example, in 2008 there were 1,850 homicide arrests. The total population was
38,148,493 and the total population at risk (10–69 years of age) was 29,910,167. This equals a homicide
arrest rate of 4.8 per 100,000 total population and 6.2 per 100,000 total population at risk.
1,850
= 0.000048495 x 100,000 = 4.8 per 100,000 total population
38,148,493
1,850 = 0.00006185 x 100,000 = 6.2 per 100,000 total population at risk
29,910,167
CLEARANCE RATE – A clearance rate is the percentage of crimes reported that have been cleared. A
clearance rate is calculated by dividing the number of crimes cleared by the number of crimes reported;
the result is multiplied by 100. For example, in 2008 there were 1,227 homicides cleared and 2,143
homicides reported. This equals a homicide clearance rate of 57.3 percent.
1,227 = 0.572561829 x 100 = 57.3 percent
2,143
CRIME RATE – A crime rate describes the number of crimes reported to law enforcement agencies per
100,000 total population. A crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the
total population; the result is multiplied by 100,000. For example, in 2008 there were 2,142 homicides
in California and the population was 38,148,493. This equals a homicide crime rate of 5.6 per 100,000
general population.
2,142 = 0.0000561490 x 100,000 = 5.6 per 100,000 population
38,148,493
PERCENT CHANGE – A percent change describes a change in number or rate from one year to another. A
percent change is calculated by subtracting base-year data from current-year data; the result is divided by
base-year data and multiplied by 100. For example, in 2008 the homicide crime rate was 5.6. In 1999 the
homicide crime rate was 5.9. The percent change in rate from 1999 to 2008 is a 5.1 percent decrease.
5.6 - 5.9 = -0.050847458 x 100 = -5.1 percent
5.9
Notes: When a series of rates are calculated using different populations, the rate calculated for the total will not be equal to the sum of the rates
calculated for each subtotal. For example, the total arrest rate (calculated using the total at-risk population) will not equal the sum of the
adult arrest rate (calculated using the adult at-risk population) and the juvenile arrest rate (calculated using the juvenile at-risk population).
Calculating rates for counties of less than 100,000 will generate an inflated rate when compared to counties with populations of 100,000 or
more; therefore, rates are not calculated for counties with populations of less than 100,000.
91
Appendix III
Glossary
ADULT: a person 18 years of age or older. offense can also be "cleared exceptionally" for
crime reporting purposes when an investigation
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: an unlawful attack has definitely established the identity of an
or attempted attack by one person upon offender; there is enough information to
another for the purpose of inflicting severe or support an arrest; and the exact location of an
aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault offender is known but, for some reason, law
usually is accompanied by the use of a weapon enforcement cannot take the offender into
or by means likely to produce death or great custody.
bodily harm (UCR definition).
CLEARANCE RATE: the percentage of crimes
APPEAL: a petition initiated by a defendant for reported that have been cleared.
a rehearing in an appellate court regarding a
previous sentence or motion. CONVICTION: a judgment, based either on the
verdict of a jury or a judicial officer or on the
ARREST: ". . . taking a person into custody, in a guilty plea of the defendant, that the defendant
case and in the manner authorized by law. An is guilty.
arrest may be made by a peace officer or by a
private person" (834 PC). COURT: an agency of the judicial branch of
government, authorized or established by
ARREST RATE: the number of arrests per statute or constitution, having one or more
100,000 population or population at risk. See judicial officers on its staff. A court has the
Appendix II – Computational Formulas for authority to decide upon controversies in law
further explanation. and disputed matters of fact brought before it.
Because of court consolidation we no longer
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF distinguish between lower court and superior
CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION (CDCR): court.
the state agency that operates all state adult
prisons and juvenile facilities, oversees a variety CRIME: ". . . an act committed or omitted in
of community correctional facilities and other violation of a law forbidding or commanding
important correctional facility responsibilities, it. . ." (15 PC).
and supervises all adult and juvenile parolees
during their reentry into society. CRIME RATE: the number of reported crimes
per 100,000 general population. See Appendix
CLEARANCE: an offense is "cleared by arrest" or II – Computational Formulas for further
solved, for crime reporting purposes, when at explanation.
least one person is arrested, charged with the
commission of an offense, and turned over to FELON: one who has committed a felony.
a court for prosecution. Although no physical
arrest is made, a clearance by arrest can be FELONY: a crime that is punishable by death or
claimed when an offender is a person under 18 by imprisonment in a state prison (17 & 18 PC).
years of age and is cited to appear in juvenile
court or before other juvenile authorities. An
92
Appendices
Glossary
FORCIBLE RAPE: the carnal knowledge of a PENAL CODE (PC): the California Penal Code
female forcibly and against her will. Assaults or contains statutes that define criminal offenses
attempts to commit rape by force or threat of and specify corresponding punishments.
force are included (UCR definition). Criminal justice system mandates and
procedures are also included.
HOMICIDE: the willful (nonnegligent) killing
of one human being by another. Murder and POPULATION AT RISK: that portion of the total
nonnegligent manslaughter are included (UCR population who, because of like characteristics
definition). to the specific study group, are considered "at
risk." For example, if one were studying juvenile
JUVENILE: a person under the age of 18. arrestees, all persons between 10 and 17 years
of age would constitute the at-risk population.
MISDEMEANOR: a crime punishable by
imprisonment in a county jail for up to one RATE: a comparison of a number of events to a
year. population.
MONTHLY ARREST AND CITATION ROBBERY: the taking or attempting to take

REGISTER (MACR): a reporting system used anything of value from the care, custody, or
to collect information on adult and juvenile control of a person or persons by force or
arrests and citations by police and sheriffs' threat of force or violence and/or by creating
departments. This register contains data on fear in the victim (UCR definition).
arrest offenses, arrestee characteristics (age,
gender, and race/ethnic group), and law SENTENCE: the penalty imposed by a court
enforcement dispositions. upon a convicted person.
OFFENDER-BASED TRANSACTION STATISTICS UNIFORM CRIME REPORTING (UCR):

(OBTS): a system designed to collect statistical a federal reporting system that compiles
information on the various processes within the crime data based on information submitted
criminal justice system that occur between the by law enforcement agencies throughout
point of the felony arrest of an adult and the the nation. In California, the Department of
point of final disposition. Justice administers and forwards these law
enforcement data to the federal program.
OFFENSE: the charged offense is the crime for
which the defendant was arrested or filed on VIOLENT CRIMES: crimes committed against
by the district attorney. The convicted offense is people. This category includes homicide,
the offense the defendant was convicted of or forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
pled guilty to in court.
93
Acknowledgments
The DOJ is mandated by state law to submit an annual Homicide in California report. The
department extends its appreciation to all the law enforcement agencies that provided complete
and timely data. This report would not have been possible without their cooperation.
94
CJSC Publications
ANNUAL PUBLICATIONS Juvenile Justice in California, 1983 (June Special Report to the Legislature on
Anti-Reproductive-Rights Crimes in California* 1984) Senate Bill 780 (California Freedom of
Crime in California* Motor Vehicle Theft in California Access to Clinic and Church Entrances
Crime in California, Advance Release* (December 1987) Act and Reproductive Rights Law
Criminal Justice Profile – A Supplement to Motor Vehicle Theft Recovery Data, Enforcement Act) (August 2003)
Crime in California (statewide and individual 1983-1989 (October 1990) Special Report to the Legislature on
counties)* Women in Crime: The Sentencing of Senate Bill 1608 (Felons and Others
Hate Crime in California* Female Defendants (April 1988) with Firearms) (July 2002)
Homicide in California* Special Report to the Legislature on
Juvenile Justice in California* REPORTS Senate Resolution 18 (Crimes Committed
Preliminary Report, Crime (January Adult Felony Arrest Dispositions in Against Homeless Persons) (October
through June, and January through California (April 1992) 2002)*
December)* Concealable Firearms Charges in California
(2000–2003)* MONOGRAPH SERIES
FOCI AND FORUMS Crime in California and the United States Conspicuous Depredation: Automobile
The California Experience in American (1983, 1990, 2000)* Theft in Los Angeles, 1904 to 1987
Juvenile Justice: Some Historical Effectiveness of Statutory Requirements (March 1990)
Perspectives (December 1988) for the Registration of Sex Offenders – A Controlling Felony Plea Bargaining in
Controlling Plea Bargaining in California Report to the California State Legislature California: The Impact of the Victim’s
(September 1985) Executive Summary of the Final Report – Bill of Rights (1986)
Coordinating Justice in California: “There Blue Ribbon Commission on Inmate Development of a White Collar Crime
ought to be a law about it” (December Population Management (January 1990) Index (December 1992)
1988) The Juvenile Justice System in California: Incapacitation Strategies and the Career
Crime Control and the Criminal Career An Overview (April 1989) Criminal (December 1992)
(December 1992) Parolees Returned to Prison and the Measuring White Collar Crime in
The Development of California Drunk California Prison Population (January Depository Institutions (December 1993)
Driving Legislation (December 1988) 1988) Prosecutors’ Response to Parental Child
Employment and Crime (February 1989) Target Hardening: A Literature Review Stealing: A Statewide Study (April 1995)
The Impact of California’s “Prior Felony (October 1989) Race & Delinquency in Los Angeles
Conviction” Law (September 1987) Juvenile Court, 1950 (December 1990)
The Origins and Development of Penalties REPORT SERIES Survey Report: “The Expansion of the
for Drunk Drivers in California (August Report on Arrests for Burglary in California, Criminal Justice and Penal System in
1988) 1998* California – Is Greater Coordination
A Policy Role for Focus Groups: Report on Arrests for Domestic Violence in Required?” (December 1988)
Community Corrections (September California, 1998*
1991) Report on Arrests for Driving Under the MISCELLANEOUS
The Prevalence and Incidence of Arrests Influence in California, 1997* California Criminal Justice Time Line,
Among Adult Males in California (August Report on Drug Arrests in California, From 1822-2000 (June 2001)*
1988) 1990 to 1999 (December 2000)* Crime in California (April 2001)*
The Social Structure of Street Drug Report on Juvenile Felony Arrests in Gang Organization and Migration/Drugs,
Dealing (December 1988) California, 1998 (March 2000)* Gangs & Law Enforcement
Report on Violent Crimes Committed Proceedings of the Attorney General’s
OUTLOOKS Against Senior Citizens in California, Crime Conference ‘85 (September 1985)
Adult Felony Arrest Dispositions in 1998* Proceedings of Symposium ‘87: White
California (1982-1984,1986-1989) Collar/Institutional Crime – Its Measure-
Crime in Urban and Rural California RESEARCH SERIES ment and Analysis
(November 1984 and December 1997)* Why Did the Crime Rate Decrease Through
Death in Custody, California (May 2005)* 1999? (And Why Might it Decrease or
Felony Drug Arrests in California, 1985 Increase in 2000 and Beyond?)
(December 1986) (December 2000)*
*Available on the Internet.
For publications or assistance in obtaining statistical information or a customized statistical report, please contact:
Special Requests Unit
P.O. Box 903427
Sacramento, CA 94203-4270
Phone: (916) 227-3509 Fax: (916) 227-0427 E-mail: cjsc@doj.ca.gov Internet: http://ag.ca.gov/crime.php
Annual publications from 1999 through 2008 are also available on CD-ROM, including data tables in Excel spreadsheet format.
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Homicide

Published Annually by the

Released March 2010

This report and other reports are available on the

 Collect, analyze, and report statistical data that

 Examine these data on an ongoing basis to better

 Promote the responsible presentation and use of

California Department of Justice

Homicide Crimes zz Firearms were used in 70.5 percent of

zz In 2008, where the victim-offender

Homicide Arrests zz Between 1999 and 2008, 43 peace officers

zz From 1999 to 2008, the largest percentage

zz From 1999 to 2008, the largest percentage

Death Penalty Sentences

Peace Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

zz In 2008, three peace officers were feloniously

Contributing All Other Argument

Other 40 and Over

Other 40 and Over

Homicide Crimes circumstance was unknown. Of this number, 635

Comparing 1999 to 2008:

Violent Crimes, 1999–2008 There are four offenses classified as violent

From 2007 to 2008:

20.0 zz Aggravated assault decreased 5.2 percent

Personal Characteristics of Homicide Victims

Homicide Crimes, 1999–2008 In 2008:

Comparing 1999 to 2008:

Homicide Crimes, 1999–2008 In 2008:

Comparing 1999 to 2008:

WHITE zz The Hispanic homicide rate decreased 18.2

Personal Characteristics of Homicide Victims

Homicide Crimes, 1999–2008 In 2008:

Personal Characteristics of Homicide Victims

Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008, there were 2,143 victims of homicide.

Homicide Crimes, 2008

Source: Tables 2 and 5.

Personal Characteristics of Homicide Victims

Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008, the race/ethnicity of the homicide

Homicide Crimes, 2008

WHITE HISPANIC BLACK OTHER

Source: Tables 3 and 6.

Personal Characteristics of the Victim

Homicide Crimes, 2008

UNDER 18 18-29 30-39 40 AND OVER

Source: Tables 4 and 7.

Personal Characteristics of the Victim

Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008:

HISPANIC 87.1% 12.9%

BLACK 85.4% 14.6%

Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008:

49.4% 18.9% 16.3%

< 18 18-29 30-39 40+

Relationship of the Victim to the Offender

Homicide Crimes, 2008 In 2008, the relationship of the homicide victim

Source: Table 11.

Homicide Crimes, 1999–2008 Comparing 2007 to 2008:

FRIEND/ACQUAINTANCE 40.6 percent to 30.2 percent.

Source: Table 11.

Relationship of the Victim to the Offender