Analysis of Patterns in Interpersonal Violence in Michigan

The State Justice Statistics (SJS) Program is designed to maintain and enhance each state's capacity to address criminal justice issues through collection and analysis of data. The SJS Program provides support to each state to coordinate and conduct statistical activities within the state, conduct research to estimate impacts of legislative and policy changes, and serve as a liaison in assisting BJS to gather data from respondent agencies within their states.

To determine the nature of violence in Michigan and compare its crime rate to neighboring communities, the Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) proposes to conduct an incident-based analysis of interpersonal violence in the state. Focusing on public policy reform for violent crime incidents, the study seeks to answer the following questions: 1) How do incident rates of interpersonal violence vary across communities?; 2) What is the role of firearms in incidents of interpersonal violence, and how does criminal firearm use vary both within and across communities?; and, 3) What are the outcomes of interpersonal violence incidents (i.e., injury severity, fatality), and how do these outcomes vary both within and across communities? The objective of the proposed research is to answer public policy questions and show the importance of using incident-based data. A final report will be submitted detailing the University's findings. The document will be used by public officials to better understand public policies surrounding interpersonal violence.

CA/NCF