Homicide in Scotland 2022-23

Method of Killing

Table 7

The most common main method of killing in each of the last 10 years was with a sharp instrument. This includes 58% (30) of homicide victims in 2022-23, 23 of which involved a knife. The next most common main method was hitting and kicking, accounting for 29% (15) of homicide victims in 2022-23.

Figure 7: Sharp instruments are the most common main method of killing

Homicide by shooting is relatively rare in Scotland. In 2022-23, there were three victims recorded. Since 2013-14 there have been 17 recorded victims of shooting, accounting for 3% of all homicide victims over this period.