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Fact check: What were the total US murders in 2023?
1. Summary of the results
The total number of US murders in 2023 is a matter of some debate among the provided sources. According to [1], there were 22,380 homicides in the US in 2023 [1]. However, [2] reports an estimated 19,800 homicide victimizations in the United States in 2023 [2], which is a significantly lower number. Other sources, such as [3] [3], [4] [4], [3] [3], [5] [5], [4] [4], [3] [3], and [6] [6], do not provide a specific number of homicides in 2023, but rather report on trends and rates, including a record-breaking decline in murders, with a 11.6% decrease in murder and non-negent manslaughter from 2022 to 2023 [3] [5]. Additionally, [4] and [4] report a homicide victimization rate of 5.9 per 100,000 persons, which can be used to estimate the total number of homicides [4].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
Some key context that is missing from the original statement is the definition of what constitutes a "murder" [1]. Different sources may have different definitions, which could impact the reported numbers. Additionally, the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, which collects and analyzes crime data from law enforcement agencies across the US, may have different numbers than other sources [3]. Furthermore, trends in homicide rates can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice protests [6], which may not be taken into account by all sources. Alternative viewpoints, such as those from law enforcement agencies, academic researchers, or community organizations, may also provide different perspectives on the issue [1] [2] [4]. For example:
- Law enforcement agencies may have a more nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to homicide rates [3]
- Academic researchers may have a more detailed analysis of the trends and patterns in homicide data [4] [2]
- Community organizations may have a more personal understanding of the impact of homicide on families and communities [6]
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original statement asks for the total number of US murders in 2023, but does not provide any context or definition of what constitutes a "murder" [1]. This lack of context could lead to misinformation or bias in the reported numbers, as different sources may have different definitions or methods of collecting data. Additionally, some sources may have a vested interest in reporting certain numbers or trends, such as law enforcement agencies, which may be motivated to report lower crime rates [3], or community organizations, which may be motivated to report higher crime rates to highlight the need for more resources [6]. The FBI, as a government agency, may also have a bias towards reporting certain trends or numbers [3]. For example: