ABSTRACT
This chapter considers a neglected subtype of homicide, justifiable homicide by civilians. The topic of justifiable homicide by civilians has also been called “excusable homicide,” “self-defense homicide,” and “civilian legal defensive homicide.” The data set used for the research is the justifiable civilian homicides cases in the Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR). The chapter summarizes the weapon distribution for criminal homicides and justifiable citizen homicides. Official data indicate that blacks are disproportionately represented among both homicide offenders and victims. Homicide is one of the few crimes which are defined by its outcome instead of the process that led to this outcome. The data demonstrate that stranger-related justifiable homicides are the most common category with approximately 60 percent of cases involving strangers in criminal homicides they most frequently involved acquaintances.
