Citation

Logan JE, Karch DL, Crosby AE. Homicide Stud. 2009; 13(4): 385-397.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1088767909348323

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

To better understand the determinants of violent deaths, researchers need surveillance systems that include a broad spectrum of information (e.g., victim demographics, event characteristics [date/location of death] and preceding circumstances). Missing information can limit the ability to develop preventive interventions.This study examines the value of using multiple source documents (i.e., death certificates, coroner/medical examiner reports, and police reports) to reduce missing or "unknown" data on violent deaths. When all sources are accessible, more sources should reduce the amount of unknown data. This study finds this to be true only for certain variables, that is, those capturing preceding circumstances.