A retrospective comparative study of homicide deaths in Kosovo from 2006-2015

Homicide comparison between countries is generally difficult, unless the method for documenting homicides is standard between the countries of comparison. A scant number of reputable retrospective homicide studies have been published and of the studies that are available, there is no standardisation. Homicide data for the country of Kosovo has been documented by the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM) in Pristina. The homicides registered by the IFM from 2006-2015 in Kosovo were retrospectively studied and significantly this revealed that in 73.76% of all homicides committed, firearms were the weapon used. Limited specific firearm data is readily available for the country of Kosovo, further follow up studies and better recording of evidence are required to ascertain for certain why firearms are so widely used in homicides. Although a general downward trend since 2006 in the number of homicides per 100,000 population was identified, presently there is no enforced standard method for the reporting of all deaths in Kosovo, including homicides. Therefore, this study aims firstly to publish Kosovar retrospective homicide data for the use as a prevention and reduction tool and additionally to critically review global estimations of homicide rates and the available international retrospective homicide literature, to more accurately identify and establish a standardised method for the reporting of homicides. Fundamentally the findings of this study will be utilised to provide the IFM in Kosovo with a critical review of the approaches regarding the documentation of homicides and recommendations, to further their practice in the recording and analysis of homicides in Kosovo