Seasonal, monthly, and day-of-week trends in homicide as affected by alcohol and race

Abstract

Monthly, seasonal, and day-of-week patterns in criminal homicide were studied specifically with respect to the victim's alcohol consumption, race, or both. There were no overall significant monthly or seasonal patterns although day-of-the-week was a significant factor affecting homicide. Alcohol did not affect monthly seasonal fluctuations for whites but did affect such fluctuations for blacks. The interaction between day-of-the-week and alcohol was not significant, failing to support the possibility that high weekend rates for homicide are related to higher alcohol consumption.