Social disorganization and the spatial distribution of homicide in El Paso

Nicholas Andrew Emerick, University of Texas at El Paso

Abstract

Recent research on social disorganization theory shows general support for economic and stability measures of disorganization, but spatial dispersions and the disaggregation of homicides of crime have not been fully examined. 1985-1995 homicide data from the El Paso Police Department’s detective logs and US Census data are combined to explore social disorganization in El Paso, the impact of ports of entry, and how motive interacts with social disorganization. Findings for total homicides in El Paso support existing social disorganization research. Motive specific homicides displayed distinct relationships to the disorganization measures. The concentrations of homicides near ports of entry can be explained using social disorganization characteristics.

Subject Area

Geographic information science|Criminology|Social structure

Recommended Citation

Emerick, Nicholas Andrew, "Social disorganization and the spatial distribution of homicide in El Paso" (2010). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI1477780.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI1477780

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