Homicide In Scotland, 2018-19

29th October 2019

Scotland's Chief Statistician today published Homicide in Scotland, 2018-19. The publication provides information on crimes of homicide recorded by the police in Scotland in 2018-19.

Between 2017-18 and 2018-19, the number of homicide cases recorded by the police in Scotland increased by 2% (or one case) from 59 to 60. This is the third lowest number of recorded homicide cases for a single twelve month period since 1976, after 59 cases were recorded in each of 2015-16 and 2017-18.

The number of homicide cases in Scotland has remained relatively stable in recent years, with between 59 and 63 cases recorded each year since 2012-13.

Over the ten year period from 2009-10 to 2018-19, the number of homicide cases in Scotland fell by 25% (20 cases) from 80 to 60.

In 2018-19, 61 victims of homicide were recorded, 3% (two victims) more than the 59 victims recorded in 2017-18. Of the 61 victims, 75% (46) were male.

In 2018-19, 83 persons were accused of homicide and 88% (73) of them were male. Of the 60 cases of homicide recorded for 2018-19, 57 were solved and three are currently unsolved.

For each of the last ten years, the most common method of killing was with a sharp instrument. In 2018-19, a sharp instrument was the main method of killing for 44% (27) of homicide victims.