Homicide Survey

Detailed information for 1999

This survey collects detailed data on homicide in Canada. The survey has collected police-reported data on the characteristics of all murder incidents, victims and accused persons since 1961 and all homicides (including murder, manslaughter and infanticide) since 1974.

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology

Description

Under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S19, the Homicide Survey collects police-reported data on the characteristics of all homicide incidents, victims and accused persons in Canada. The Homicide Survey began collecting information on all murders in 1961 and later added data collection on all manslaughters and infanticides in 1974. The survey remained virtually unchanged until 1991 when, in an effort to respond to changing information needs, it was revised and expanded. Additional changes were incorporated in 1997 and 2005.

The data are intended to respond to the needs of those who work in the criminal justice system (such as the policing community) as well as to inform researchers, policy analysts, academics, the media and the public on the nature and extent of homicide in Canada.

Reference period: Calendar year

Collection period: January of the reference year to spring following the reference year

Subjects

• Crime and justice
• Crimes and offences
• Victims and victimization

Data sources and methodology

Target population

Police services report information to the Homicide Survey on all homicides that occur in Canada.

Instrument design

The Homicide Survey is comprised of three main questionnaires: (1) the Incident Questionnaire; (2) the Victim Questionnaire; and (3) the Charged/Suspect-Chargeable (CSC) Questionnaire. The questionnaires were developed and updated in consultation with justice representatives from the jurisdictions, including various police agencies, the Police Information and Statistics (POLIS) Committee and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP).

The Incident Questionnaire collects details pertaining to the circumstances surrounding the homicide incident. These questions include the date and geographic location of the homicide as well as information relating to the violation. Other variables include any related offence associated with the homicide, drug involvement, gang activity and motive for the homicide.

The Victim Questionnaire gathers information on the characteristics of the person who is the victim of the homicide. Demographic characteristics (e.g. gender, date of birth, marital status, employment status) of the homicide victim as well as additional information relating to the cause of death, weapon used, firearm details (if applicable) as well as the relationship and any history of family violence between the closest accused and the victim are collected.

The Charged/Suspect-Chargeable (CSC) Questionnaire gathers information on the characteristics of the person accused of the homicide. Once a person(s) has been charged or a person against whom enough evidence exists to lay a charge is identified, police gather basic demographic information (e.g. gender, date of birth, marital status, employment status) as well as information relating to the mental health status of the accused, alcohol and/or drug use and previous criminal convictions. Charged/Suspect-Chargeable (CSC) questionnaires are completed for each CSC identified in solved homicides even if the accused person dies. Until a homicide is solved, a Charged/Suspect-Chargeable (CSC) Questionnaire cannot be completed.

In addition to the three main Homicide Survey questionnaires, there are two other supplementary questionnaires: the Supplemental Policing Victim Questionnaire and the Supplemental Correctional Worker Victim Questionnaire. These questionnaires are specifically designed to collect more detailed information on the circumstances surrounding homicides that are related to the victim being employed in these occupations.

Sampling

This survey is a census with a cross-sectional design.

This methodology does not apply.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents.

When a homicide becomes known to police, the investigating officer completes a Homicide Survey and forwards this information to the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics. The information is verified and data captured via the Homicide Survey Capture and Edit System then stored as a relational database.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s).