NCJ Number
205232
Date Published
December 2003
Length
91 pages
Annotation
This study explored attempted and completed contract killings in Australia over a 13-year period.
Abstract
Little is known about the characteristics and prevalence of contract killings in Australia. This first of its kind study analyzed data collected between July 1, 1989, and June 30, 2002, in order to meet four main objectives: (1) to discover the factors that distinguish attempted contract killings from completed contract killings; (2) to describe the characteristics of attempted and completed contract killings, including a description of victims and principal perpetrators; (3) to develop typologies of contract killings, including how contract killers are sought; and (4) to describe the nature and level of police intervention in preventing the completion of contract killings. Data include information on completed and attempted contract killings from each State and Territory where a contract killer was solicited. Two main data sources were used: the National Homicide Monitoring Program (NHMP) and offense reports from each State and Territory police service in Australia. Overall, there were 163 attempted or completed contract killings in Australia during the study period. A notable difference between contract killings and conventional homicides is the lack of a relationship between the victim and the hired killer. The typology of attempted and completed contract killings indicated varied reasons for contract killings, mainly involving the motivating factors of the instigator. The nine typologies of contract killings discovered through the research are: dissolution of relationship; other domestic related; money/financially motivated; drug-related; revenge; silencing of witnesses; criminal networks/organized crime; other motive/personal advancement; and unknown motive. Dissolution of a relationship was the most common motive for contract killings in Australia, followed by unknown motives and money/financially motivated contract killings. Differences between attempted and completed contract killings were noted: all of the contract killings associated with criminal networks were completed; females accounted for one-third of the victims in attempted contract killings; and the most common categories of attempted contract killings were dissolution of relationship followed by silencing of a witness. Characteristics of completed contract killings include the use of a firearm, the presence of only one victim (96 percent of cases), and overwhelmingly male victims. Implications of the findings in terms of police operations are discussed. Figures, tables, references