killingssinglevictim

Killingssinglevictim is a term used in criminology and homicide statistics to describe homicide incidents in which only a single victim is killed in a single event. It is a category used to distinguish these cases from other homicide patterns such as mass murder, serial killing, and spree killings. In practice, many researchers refer to this concept as single-victim homicide or one-victim homicide, recognizing that it encompasses a wide range of motives, victims, and circumstances.

The term helps classify homicides by the number of victims per incident rather than by the killer’s identity or the motive alone. Mass murder involves two or more victims in a single event, while serial killing involves three or more victims over separate incidents with cooling-off periods. Spree killing refers to multiple victims in a short time across locations without a cooling-off interval. Single-victim killings thus include domestic violence, intimate-partner homicide, acquaintance homicide, and stranger homicide, among others.

Data on single-victim killings come from crime reports and homicide databases, which vary by jurisdiction and methodology. Because the classification hinges on the number of victims per incident, single-victim killings typically account for a large share of homicide cases, though not necessarily their severity or impact.

Limitations and debates exist in applying the category. Some incidents may start as single-victim cases and later involve additional victims, or may blur lines between categories depending on local definitions and reporting practices. Researchers emphasize consistent definitions and transparent methodology to compare patterns across regions and time periods.