Victims profile analysis reveals homicide affinity for minorities and the youth

Background: in this study we have examined the risk of death by homicide in miami-dade county and broward county (bc); and examined the association between socioeconomic status and homicide while describing victims typical characteristics such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, and type of injury.methods: data was collected from the countys medical examiners offices, census bureau, and federal bureau of investigation between 2004 and 2007.results: there has been an increase in the risk of dying by homicide in the studied area; the homicide rate for the selected period was two times higher than the national average. although black non-hispanics count for 19% of the population of miami-dade county and 23% in broward county, 56% and 53% of homicide victims are among this ethnic group in miami-dade county and broward county respectively. hispanics were more at risk of being a victim of homicide in 2007 than they were in 2004. conclusions: a substantial proportion of the homicide victims were 22 years of age or younger. . in fact, the homicide victims average age has been steadily decreasing in recent years. the drastic increase in the risk of death by gunshot among young black non-hispanic and hispanic residents warrants cause for concern.