The Nature and Extent of Strangulation Involved Homicide in Fort Worth, Texas

• In Event: Intimate Partner Related Strangulation

Abstract

According to the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), 1 in 10 violent deaths have intimate partner circumstances and most of these deaths involved a firearm (Kafka et al., 2023). While firearm related deaths are prevalent, strangulation involved homicides are worthy of additional study. Victims of IPV who experience non-fatal strangulation are more than 7 times more likely to be a victim of attempted homicide and eight times more likely to become homicide victims (Block, 2004; Campbell et al., 2003, Glass et al., 2008; Strack & Gwinn, 2011). Women are more likely to experience IPV strangulation and they also experience a higher percentage of strangulation involved homicides than men (Sorenson, Joshi, & Sivitz, 2014). This study examines investigative case files to identify the circumstances for all known homicides (N=1,212) in Fort Worth, Texas from 2006 to 2023 and then concentrates on identifying trends from cases with homicide-involved strangulation. This will include cases where the cause of death was strangulation as well as cases where the victim was strangled during the assault but died of another cause. Socio-demographic factors, motive, method, relationship history, previous non-fatal strangulation, and other characteristics will be explored to identify emergent themes and potential risk factors.

Authors

• John Galloway, Tarleton State University

• Tara O’Connor Shelley, Tarleton State University