Testing a method to develop preliminary cost estimates of homicide in Glasgow: a research note

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.