Perceptions on the act of homicide

Abstract

This study aims to understand the perceptions of the act of homicide, with particular reference to the Maltese general population. The objectives of this study were to comprehend how the general public defines homicide, to compare the general public’s views on different forms of homicide and to analyse what the general public thinks is an adequate punishment for homicide. While similar studies have been conducted in other countries, this has not been researched within the local context. The core hypothesis for the study is that there might be contradictions in responses due to the different situations occurring under different circumstances; and so, circumstantiality is likely to play a critical role. This research study will also comprise how criminal justice is a vital element throughout all of this – and how the Maltese public deems this is best achieved with regards to homicidal acts. This will be achieved through quantitative methodology – i.e. a questionnaire, which will be analysed through jamovi, an online statistical software. In line with the research’s main aims, the questionnaire was split into 4 sections; demographic questions, defining homicide, opinions on different homicidal acts, and adequate punishment. Nominal and continuous variables were acquired and were tested and cross-tabulated to discover potential patterns or associations between variables. Such tests and visualisations included survey plots, histograms, chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests and box plots. Through the structure of the questionnaire and testing means, the aims and objectives were analysed and ultimately achieved. Some gender differences were noted in certain questions, whilst the lack thereof in others was also significant – particularly re comparing views about the subject matter. To define homicide, results have shown that most participants knew the true definition, and did not mix it up with murder. The absolute majority – 98.1% of respondents – did not think all homicidal acts should receive the same penalty. From the analyses produced, gender and religion did not seem to have any sort of association with such responses. Circumstances were seen as important amongst respondents, and affected responses for homicidal acts occurring within different circumstances, and the adequate punishment for each. From these findings, the main hypothesis highlighting the role of circumstantiality is confirmed, due to contradictions in responses for different homicidal acts that all fall within the ‘homicide’ umbrella term.