ABSTRACT
Murder’s geographical distribution ranges from broad macro patterns, which differentiate homicide rates according to regions of the country, states, cities, neighborhoods, etc., to specific micro patterns such as whether the murder occurred indoors or outdoors, where the corpse was discovered, in which room of the house the killing took place, etc. Patterns exist in both macro and micro locational variables, patterns that persist over time and place and help us understand the phenomenon of murder in America more fully. Those unfamiliar with the patterned spatial regularity of homicide frequently have misconceptions about where killings take place. To help clarify possible misconceptions, the chapter examines the geography of homicide more closely in order to pinpoint more accurately exactly where murders take place with some case examples. Whereas the demography of homicide illustrates the “who” of homicide (its assailants and victims), the geography of homicide provides us with the “where” of murder—its location in physical space.
