摘要：Objectives. We compared characteristics of homicides among New York City residents aged 18 years and older from 1990 to 1998 to determine differences in demographics, cause and place of death, and presence of illicit drugs and alcohol in the deceased’s system. Methods. All medical examiner–certified homicides among New York City residents aged 18 years and older from 1990 to 1998 were studied (n = 11 850). Nonelderly (aged 18 to 64 years) and elderly (aged 65 years and older) victims were compared by gender, race/ethnicity, cause of death, place of death, and presence of illicit drugs or alcohol. Population-based homicide rates stratified by age, gender, and race were also calculated. Results. Nonelderly homicide victims were significantly more likely to be male, non-White, to have been shot in the city streets, and to have evidence of illicit drug or alcohol use. Elderly victims were more likely to be female, White, to have been killed by nonfirearm injuries, and to have been killed in their own homes. The gender and race differences between age groups remained but were attenuated when population-based rates were compared. Conclusions. The characteristics of homicide in nonelderly adults do not apply to elderly adults in New York City. Demographic factors and vulnerabilities of the elderly may underlie these differences, pointing to the need for oversight of isolated or homebound elderly persons and for protective interventions. Previous research has emphasized the predominance of young men, particularly young African American and Hispanic men, as victims of homicide in the United States. 1 There have also been suggestions that the availability of firearms and the high rates of cocaine or opiate use by young African American and Hispanic men in urban environments may contribute to these statistics. 2 – 4 By contrast, relatively little attention has been given to victims of homicide aged 65 years and older. 5 , 6 Geriatric homicides may be overlooked because of investigators’ presumption that advanced age and chronic illness provide sufficient explanations for most deaths. 7 However, a better understanding of what has been termed “gray murder” 7 , 8 might contribute to the recognition of geriatric deaths as homicides. Clarification of the characteristics of elderly homicide victims could also inform the development of preventive, age-sensitive interventions by physicians, social workers, and adult protective service or law enforcement agencies. We analyzed data from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New York City to describe a group of elderly homicide victims (aged 65 years and older) and to compare them with nonelderly adult victims (aged 18 to 64 years). We hypothesized that the pattern of characteristics associated with nonelderly adult homicide victims in urban settings—overwhelmingly male, African American or Hispanic, and with evidence of illicit drug or alcohol use on autopsy 1 – 4 —would not apply to elderly homicide victims in New York City. We also predicted that there would be differences in place and cause of death between elderly and nonelderly homicide victims.
