Objective: A total of 34 years of FBI Supplementary Homicide Reports were examined using statistical graphics to illustrate patterns across ages, by sex, and victim/offender relationships (intimate partner [IP], other family, acquaintance, or stranger). Method: An innovative fourfold display and victim/sex-specific scatterplots with overlaid deviation ellipses determine the age/sex patterns for each relationship. Results: We illustrate numerous acquaintance killings among young men and improve our understanding of predictors by sex, relationship, and circumstances in mid/later life. Male victims of strangers are either older with young male offenders or vice versa. Female acquaintance and stranger homicides are rare. Within families, older male parents are killed by adult offspring, but rarely by IP. The majority of elder femicide is perpetrated by IP or other family. Discussion: U.S. murder rates are rising, and we found children from 6 to 12 years were least likely to die by homicide. Elder femicide risk from IP and other kin indicated danger from within the home.

Statistical graphics are powerful tools for analyzing data. They are designed to display data in ways that communicate hidden information. They expose relationships that otherwise might not be recognized. Unfortunately, graphical displays of data are rarely published in social science journals. Without pictures of the data, readers lose the insights that graphical displays provide. The purposes of this article are twofold: (a) to use statistical graphics to analyze relationships between homicide offenders and victims in the United States using Supplementary Homicide Report data on race, age, and weapon used; and (b) to encourage a more visual approach to research by demonstrating the advantages of using graphical methods for data analysis.

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