Can we compare the uneven distribution of homicides in Latin American cities with the global north?

• In Event: WG-PLACE 1: Research on crime, place and time

Abstract

Aim
Despite Latin American (LA) high and persistent homicide rates, research mainly focuses on macro level covariates, relying on global north theoretical and empirical referents. The present study aims to further a multilevel, placed-based understanding of homicide in LA cities, addressing the question, Is the uneven distribution of homicides in LA cities in macro, meso, and micro-level geographical units of analysis similar to global north referents?
Methods
A comparative case study of Medellin, Mexico City, and Chicago for 2019 to 2022 describes the distribution of homicides using spatial analysis techniques for different levels of observations -street blocks, neighbourhoods, and cities.
Results
Findings support the law of crime concentration for homicide in LA cities but show differences in the patterns of homicidal events between LA cities and Chicago for each level of analysis. For example, LA cities show the highest homicide prevalence in neighbourhoods in the margins, while Chicago concentrates them near the city centre.
These results support further research to be carried out by the applicant on the covariates of homicide on each level. The differences with Chicago as a global north referent suggest that more efforts should be carried towards southern criminology. Furthermore, data quality and availability challenges, city layout, among others, require methodological adaptations.

Author

• Catalina Mellado, University College London, UK