Murder and manslaughter

The figures in this news release relate to cases of murder and manslaughter that took place in the Netherlands. Victims include both residents of the Netherlands who were registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) at the time of their death and non-residents (18 percent in 2023). This information is included in the statistics on non-natural causes of death.

The primary sources for the figures on murder and manslaughter are:
• data from medical cause-of-death certificates completed by a forensic doctor;
• records of Public Prosecution Offices around the Netherlands.

No distinction can be made between manslaughter (the deliberate taking of another person’s life) and murder (which also involves premeditated killing) because, at the time when the court records were consulted, the court had not yet delivered their verdict in most cases. This also means that no distinction can be made between those charged with a crime and those found guilty in these figures.

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