In the recent National Homicide Monitoring Program (NHMP) report, the nature and context of homicides occurring throughout the 2010–11 and 2011–12 financial years are described. Although much of the data are presented in the aggregate, figures for each financial year are provided in some circumstances to aid the monitoring of trends.
Ongoing monitoring of homicide locates short-term changes within a longer timeframe and enables policymakers and law enforcement personnel to identify changes in risk markers associated with incidents, victims and offenders.
The results presented in the report are consistent with previous NHMP reports but demonstrate some fluctuation across various characteristics of homicide. Overall, the number of homicides generally continues to decline over time.
