ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 4

HIV Seroprevalence Rates Among Homicide Victims in New York City: 1991–1993
Leon, AC
Professor, associate professor, associate professor, senior data analyst, and research assistant, Cornell University Medical College, NY

Hirsch, CS
Chief medical examiner and director of Toxicology, Office of Chief Medical Examiner, NY

Tardiff, K
Professor, associate professor, associate professor, senior data analyst, and research assistant, Cornell University Medical College, NY

Portera, L
Professor, associate professor, associate professor, senior data analyst, and research assistant, Cornell University Medical College, NY

Stajic, M
Chief medical examiner and director of Toxicology, Office of Chief Medical Examiner, NY

Hartwell, N
Professor, associate professor, associate professor, senior data analyst, and research assistant, Cornell University Medical College, NY

Marzuk, PM
Professor, associate professor, associate professor, senior data analyst, and research assistant, Cornell University Medical College, NY

(Received 22 July 1996; accepted 27 February 1997)

Abstract

This study assessed HIV seroprevalence in homicide victims killed in New York City in 1991–1993, using data from the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Among 5852 homicide victims there were 344 (5.9%) victims who were HIV positive. Females were just as likely as males to be HIV positive. For females, the highest rates were in the 25–34 year (11.7%) and 35–44 year (12.6%) age categories. For males the highest rates were in the 35–44 year (13.7%) and 45–54 year (11.5%) age categories. Other than there being no HIV positive Asian victims, there were no differences in HIV rates among racial/ethnic groups. The highest rates of HIV infection for homicide victims were among those using both opiates and cocaine (males: 23.0%; females: 27.3%). Women, not men, using cocaine alone had a high HIV positive rate (18.4%). Victims not using these drugs had rates of HIV around 2%. The authors believe that the high risk of HIV among homicide victims, may be due to the use of cocaine and associated risky use of needles and risky sex practices.

Keywords:
forensic science, HIV, homicide, cocaine, methadone, opiates, substance abuse, violence, trauma

Paper ID: JFS14262J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14262J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.