HOMICIDE AND RELATED OFFENCES

There was a 3.0% decrease in the number of homicide victims in Australia, from 434 in 2013 to a five year low of 421 in 2014.

In Australia during 2014:

• The homicide victimisation rate decreased to a five year low of 1.8 victims per 100,000 persons; and
• Nearly three-quarters of all homicide investigations (74% or 311 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.

MURDER

There were 238 reported murder victims in Australia during 2014, compared to 245 in 2013.

In Australia during 2014:

• The murder victimisation rate fell to a five year low of 1.0 victim per 100,000 persons;
• Nearly two in three victims of murder (61% or 146 victims) were male;
• The proportion of murder victims was largest for males aged between 35 and 44 years (16% or 38 victims) and males aged between 25 and 34 years (11% or 27 victims);
• Two in three murders (66% or 158 victims) occurred at a residential location;
• Of weapons used in murder, a knife was the most common (44% or 69 victims); and
• Over three-quarters (77%) of all murder investigations (184 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.

ATTEMPTED MURDER

The number of attempted murder victims in Australia decreased from 164 in 2013 to a five year low of 151 in 2014.

In Australia during 2014:

• The attempted murder victimisation rate dropped slightly to 0.6 victims per 100,000 persons, compared with 0.7 victims per 100,000 persons in 2013;
• About two in three victims of attempted murder (68% or 102 victims) were male;
• Males aged between 35 and 44 years accounted for the largest proportion of attempted murder victims (19% or 29 victims);
• Nearly two in three attempted murders (62% or 93 victims) occurred at a residential location;
• Of weapons used in attempted murder, the most common were a firearm (38% or 42 victims) and a knife (36% or 40 victims); and
• 74% of all attempted murder investigations (111 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.

MANSLAUGHTER

There were 24 manslaughter victims in Australia in 2014, compared to 23 in 2013.

In Australia during 2014:

• The manslaughter victimisation rate was 0.1 victims per 100,000 persons for the second consecutive year; and
• 71% of all manslaughter investigations (17 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.