Testing a Method to Develop Preliminary Cost Estimates of Homicide in Glasgow

• Published date: 01 July 2013
• Date: 01 July 2013
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0887403412448819
• Subject Matter: Articles

Criminal Justice Policy Review

24(4) 510 –523

© 2012 SAGE Publications

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DOI: 10.1177/0887403412448819

cjp.sagepub.com

448819CJP24410.1177/0887403412448819

Harvey et al.Criminal Justice Policy Review

1University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, UK

Corresponding Author:

Michael J. Harvey, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, Medical and Biological Sciences Building,

North Haugh, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TF, SCOTLAND, UK.

Email: mjh20@st-andrews.ac.uk

Testing a Method to

Develop Preliminary

Cost Estimates of

Homicide in Glasgow:

A Research Note

Michael J. Harvey1, Damien J. Williams1,

and Peter D. Donnelly1

Abstract

By European standards Scotland is a violent country with a disproportionate number

of its homicides occurring in Glasgow. In addition to its devastating health and social

impact, homicide imposes a considerable financial burden. The extent of the cost has

been based on 2003 estimates for England and Wales. This study aimed to test a method

for developing preliminary estimates of the cost of homicide in Glasgow from 2002 to

2009, based on four cost categories: lost output, incarceration cost, investigation cost,

and cost of physical and emotional impact. Findings suggested that the previous cost

estimate of £1.46 million underestimated the cost of homicide in Glasgow for the same

year (2003, £1.52 million) and each subsequent year up to 2009 (£1.55 million-£1.68

million). Appropriate costing information is crucial in informing violence prevention

policy, practice, and evaluation. A number of methodological considerations have been

identified that will enable more thorough cost estimates in the future.

Keywords

financial cost, Glasgow, Scotland, homicide, violence

Introduction

Interpersonal violence has blighted Glasgow for over a century (Davies, 1998, 2007).

The image portrayed by the media is that of a city built on a violent reputation,

Article