Curated Articles: End-of-Year Analysis on Homicide Rates

Researchers have taken the new year as an opportunity to reflect on trends in homicide rates and fatalities. We know that Covid provided context for a spike, so recent research is tracking what has happened since the shutdown.

Brookings published an article on December 16th, 2024 titled, “Why did U.S. homicides spike in 2020 and then decline rapidly in 2023 and 2024?” that outlines research into trends since 2019. It is a more technical look, but provides critical insight and analysis. The article includes charts and graphs as well as policy recommendations.

The University of Chicago Crime Lab also published a 2024 End-of-Year Analysis specific to Chicago. The city-specific analysis is able to dig a bit deeper in the data.

*It is worth thinking about the contrasting analyses at the national level (Brookings) versus the city level (Crime Lab). What do you notice?

Rochester has our own research institute that studies criminal justice - RIT’s Center for Public Safety Initiatives and we link to data and insights from local data partner on Criminal justice, Measures for Justice, on the Community Indicators landing page (the bottom section titled ‘Explore Other Categories’).

Consider these publications some Brain Food and ENJOY!