Reconstructing homicide events: The role of witnesses in fatal encounters

Examinations of homicide have used both micro and macro level data to account for the interaction between victims and offenders. Missing from such analyses, however, is an examination of the role of witnesses or third parties present at homicide events. These individuals may play a variety of roles in homicide events including instigating, mediating, escalating, or facilitating fatal violence. Using St. Louis homicides for the years 1985-1989, this study provides a classification scheme for the roles of witnesses in homicide events.