This article first considers the term ‘stranger’ in the context of homicide and discusses estimates of the incidence of stranger killings in Australia and overseas. A study comparing aggregate (N=320) and stranger (N= 90) homicide data is reported. It has been found that aggregate homicide data are misleading with regard to patterns of stranger homicides. Stranger killings turn out to be heterogeneous, usually occur in the street, licensed premises or in association with robbery and, finally, they can be differentiated by such variables as sex and age of the suspect and the victim as well as the method of the crime and the number of assailants. On the basis of the findings obtained, a positive definition of ‘stranger’ is offered and found to be useful in identifying different types of stranger killings. The findings are discussed from the perspective of ‘daily routine activities’ and opportunity theory of predatory victimisation.
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