Homicides and Suspected Homicides in Singapore

Abstract

Details of 292 cases of homicide from Singapore during the years 1965–70 were tabulated and presented. It was calculated that the homicide rate was 2–5 per 100,000 population. A large proportion of the killings were done in gang clashes and in the heat of the moment, with few premeditated killings. Two weapons peculiar to this region, the bearing scraper and the parang, were described. In suspected homicides, wounds produced by counter-irritation and by ants after death were described, so that they would not be confused with injuries of violence.