Handguns are by far the most common murder weapon used in the United States, accounting for 7,159 homicides in 2023. This is followed by firearms of an unstated type, with 5,295 cases in that year. Why do murders happen in the U.S.? While most of the time the circumstances of murders in the U.S. remain unknown, homicides due to narcotics come in as the second most common circumstance – making them more common than, for example, gang killings. Despite these gruesome facts, the violent crime rate has fallen significantly since 1990, and the United States is much safer than it was in the 1980s and 1990s. Knife crime vs disease: Leading causes of death The death rate in the U.S. had hovered around the same level since 1990 until there was a large increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years. Heart disease, cancer, and accidents were the three leading causes of death in the country in 2022. The rate of death from heart disease is significantly higher than the homicide rate in the United States, at 167.2 deaths per 100,000 population compared to a 5.7 homicides per 100,000. Given just 1,562 murders were caused by knife crime, it is fair to say that heart disease is a far bigger killer in the U.S.

Since 2012, a knife or another stab weapon was the most common murder weapons used in homicides in Norway. In 2024, in ** of the ** homicides registered, a knife or another stab weapon was the murder weapon. By comparison, the number of people murdered by firearms was lower.

Number of homicide victims, by method used to commit the homicide (total methods used; shooting; stabbing; beating; strangulation; fire (burns or suffocation); other methods used; methods used unknown), Canada, 1974 to 2024.

In 2023/24 there were 262 homicides involving a knife or other sharp instrument in England and Wales, compared with 243 in the previous reporting year. During the provided time period, knife homicides have fluctuated from a low of 186 in 2014/15 to the high seen in the 2017/18 reporting year.

Through the past 10 years, a knife or another stab weapon was the most common murder weapon used in homicides in Norway. In 2023, in ** of the ** homicides registered, a knife or another stab weapon was the murder weapon. ** people were murdered by firearms the same year, the highest during the period under consideration.

The number of knife or sharp instrument offences recorded by the police in London rose to approximately 16,344 in 2024/25, compared with 15,016 in the previous year. This was the highest number of knife crime offences reported in London during this provided time period. Between 2015/16 and 2019/20, knife crime in London increased yearly, with a particularly large increase occurring between 2016/16 and 2017/18. A wider trend The increase in knife crime witnessed in London has occurred alongside a general increase in overall crime throughout England and Wales. In 2022/23, there were approximately 6.74 million crime offences across England and Wales, compared with just over four million ten years earlier. During a similar time period, the number of knife homicides also increased, and reached 282 in 2017/18, compared with 186 in 2014/15. Due to strict gun laws in the United Kingdom, firearms are rarely used to commit homicides, with knives or other sharp instruments being used in over 46 percent of homicides in 2023/24. Acid and moped attacks While knife crime in London has certainly been given a lot of attention by the British media, the increase in acid and moped attacks during the same time period also generated many headlines. In 2017, for example, there were 471 acid attacks recorded by the Metropolitan Police, compared with just 51 in 2007. Moped crime also reached high levels in 2017, with both types of crime declining to much lower levels by the early 2020s. Although overall crime in London continued to rise until 2019/20, this fell back during the COVID-19 pandemic, but by 2023/24, the number of crimes committed in the capital had exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

This statistic presents the results of a survey on perceived leading causes of death through interpersonal violence in Japan as of 2018. According to data published by Ipsos, Japanese respondents overestimated the number of violent deaths caused by knives. Around ** percent of respondents thought that most people killed through interpersonal violence died from knife attacks, when the actual share of stabbing victims was around ** percent of all violent deaths in Japan.

This statistic shows the number of homicides committed in Canada in 2023, distinguished by the method. In 2023, a total of 778 homicides were reported in Canada. Out of those, 234 were reported as a result of stabbings.

Number and rate (per 100,000 population) of homicide victims, Canada and Census Metropolitan Areas, 1981 to 2024.

Knives or other sharp objects were involved in ** percent of homicides in England and Wales in 2023/24, the most of any method of killing. Homicides which involved hitting or kicking without a weapon made up **** percent of homicides, while shootings were identified as the method in *** percent of homicides. Overall, there were *** homicides in this reporting year, which was slightly lower than in the previous year, when there were ***, but noticeably higher than in 2014/15, when there were ***. Firearm homicides rare in England and Wales In 2023/24, there were *** knife homicides in England and Wales, compared with *** in 2021/22, which was the highest figure recently. By comparison, homicides which involved the use of a firearm were far less common, with just ** in the 2023/24 reporting year. Due to strict gun laws and low levels of ownership, the UK contrasts starkly with the United States, which has struggled with high levels of gun violence. Although some specialist police officers in England and Wales are licensed to carry firearms, the majority of police officers are unarmed. In 2023/24, for example, there were just ***** armed police, out of around ******* police officers. Overall knife crime on the rise Like many other types of crime, knife crime offences in the ***** started to decline at the start of the decade before creeping up again from 2014 onwards, reaching almost ****** in 2019/20. In London, where much of the media’s attention on knife crime is focused, there were ****** knife crime offences alone in 2019/20. Although this fell during subsequent reporting years, which were influenced by COVID-19 restrictions, it remains to be seen if the trend will continue. In 2023/24, the number of knife offences in the capital was higher than in any other year since 2019/20.

This table contains the number of persons died as a result of murder or manslaughter, where the crime scene is located in the Netherlands. The victims can be residents or non-residents of the Netherlands. The data can be split by location of the crime, method, age and sex. The criterion is the date of death, the date of the criminal act can be in the previous year. Since 2013 Statistics Netherlands is using Iris for automatic coding for causes of death. This improved the international comparison of the data. The change in coding did cause a considerable shift in the statistics. Since 2013 the (yearly) ICD-10 updates are applied. However for murder and manslaughter no changes in coding have taken place. The ICD-10 codes that belong to murder and manslaughter are X85-Y09.

Data available from: 1996

Status of the figures: The figures up to and including 2023 are final.

Changes as of January 23rd 2025: The figures for 2023 are made final.

When will new figures be published: In the third quarter of 2025 the provisional figures for 2024 will be published.

Cannibalism in the animal kingdom is widespread and well characterized, whereas the occurrence of human cannibalism has been controversial. Evidence points to cannibalism in aboriginal societies, prehistory, and the closely related chimpanzees. We assembled a non-comprehensive list (121 offenders, ~631 victims) of cannibalistic homicides in modern societies (since 1900) through internet-searches, publications, and expert questioning. Cannibalistic homicides were exceedingly rare, and often sex-related. Cannibalistic offenders were mainly men and older than offenders of non-cannibalistic homicides, whereas victims were comparatively young. Cannibalistic offenders typically killed manually (stabbing, strangulating, and beating) rather than using a gun. Furthermore, they killed more strangers and fewer intimates than conventional offenders. Human cannibals, similar to cannibalism in other species, killed and ate conspecifics, occasionally vomited and only rarely (2.5% of victims) ate kin. Interestingly, cannibalistic offenders who killed their blood relatives had more severe mental problems than non-kin-cannibals. We conclude that cannibalistic homicides have a unique pattern of murder methods, offenders, and victims.

This statistic shows the total number of victims who died as the result of stabbing in Canada in 2016, distinguished by province. In 2016, 57 stabbing homicide victims were reported in Ontario.

Skin Graft Knife Market Outlook

The global skin graft knife market size is anticipated to grow from USD 310 million in 2023 to USD 520 million by 2032, reflecting a robust CAGR of 5.4%. This growth is driven by the rising incidence of burn injuries, traumatic wounds, and skin infections, coupled with advancements in surgical technologies and increasing healthcare expenditure worldwide.

One of the primary factors driving the growth of the skin graft knife market is the increasing number of burn injuries globally. Burns are among the most common household injuries, especially among children. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 180,000 deaths occur every year due to burns, with the majority happening in low- and middle-income countries. The need for effective and efficient treatment options, including skin grafts, is crucial in reducing mortality and morbidity rates, thereby propelling the demand for skin graft knives.

Technological advancements in the field of medical devices are another significant growth factor for the skin graft knife market. Innovations such as electric skin graft knives offer precise and efficient grafting, reducing the time taken for surgical procedures and improving patient outcomes. Additionally, the integration of advanced materials and ergonomic designs in manual skin graft knives ensures better handling and accuracy, further driving market growth.

Increasing healthcare expenditure is also contributing to the growth of the skin graft knife market. Governments and private organizations are investing heavily in healthcare infrastructure to provide better medical services. This includes the procurement of advanced surgical instruments, including skin graft knives. Furthermore, the rising awareness about advanced treatment options among the general population is leading to an increased demand for skin graft procedures, thereby boosting the market.

Regional outlook indicates that North America and Europe are expected to dominate the skin graft knife market, owing to well-established healthcare systems, high healthcare expenditure, and the presence of major market players. However, Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by the increasing incidence of burns and traumatic wounds, improving healthcare infrastructure, and growing awareness about advanced surgical procedures in emerging economies such as China and India.

Product Type Analysis

Electric Skin Graft Knives

Electric skin graft knives are gaining significant traction in the market due to their precision and efficiency in performing skin grafting procedures. These devices are equipped with advanced features such as adjustable thickness settings and motorized operation, which enable surgeons to achieve consistent and accurate grafts. The increasing adoption of electric skin graft knives in hospitals and surgical centers is driven by their ability to reduce surgical time and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the integration of rechargeable batteries and ergonomic designs in these devices enhances their usability and convenience for medical professionals.

The market for electric skin graft knives is also being propelled by the growing demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures. Electric skin graft knives are designed to minimize tissue trauma and reduce postoperative complications, making them a preferred choice among surgeons. The rising prevalence of chronic wounds and skin infections, which require precise and effective treatment, is further contributing to the growth of this segment. Furthermore, ongoing research and development activities aimed at enhancing the features and functionality of electric skin graft knives are expected to drive their adoption in the coming years.

Manual Skin Graft Knives

Manual skin graft knives continue to hold a significant share of the market due to their affordability and ease of use. These devices are widely used in both developed and developing regions, particularly in settings where access to advanced medical equipment is limited. Manual skin graft knives are preferred for their simplicity and reliability, making them an essential tool in various surgical procedures. The market for manual skin graft knives is driven by their widespread availability and the relatively lower cost compared to electric counterparts.

Despite the growing popularity of electric skin graft knives, manual devices remai

The global autopsy dissecting knife market is experiencing steady growth, driven by increasing demand for precise and efficient surgical tools in forensic pathology and medical research. While precise market size data for 2025 isn't provided, considering the common size of niche medical device markets and a plausible CAGR (let's assume 5% for this illustration, a figure often seen in specialized medical equipment sectors), we can estimate a market size of approximately $150 million USD in 2025. This estimate is derived by considering typical growth rates in comparable medical device segments and extrapolating from available data on similar instruments. This market's growth is fueled by several factors, including the rising incidence of both violent and accidental deaths requiring autopsy, increased forensic investigations, and advancements in surgical techniques and material science leading to improved knife design and durability. The segment breakdown, with different knife and needle types catering to specific autopsy needs within hospitals, laboratories, and other forensic facilities, indicates a market with potential for specialization and innovation. The market is segmented by product type (knives and needles) and application (hospitals, laboratories, and other settings), showing diverse user needs. Regional distribution likely reflects healthcare infrastructure and forensic capabilities, with North America and Europe holding significant market share due to their advanced healthcare systems and higher per capita healthcare spending. However, emerging economies in Asia-Pacific are expected to show strong growth in the coming years driven by expanding healthcare infrastructure and increasing forensic science capabilities. Challenges such as stringent regulatory approvals for medical devices and the potential for substitution with alternative technologies may restrain growth, though innovation in materials and designs should mitigate these concerns. Overall, the autopsy dissecting knife market presents a stable, albeit niche, opportunity for manufacturers with a focus on product quality, regulatory compliance, and a keen understanding of the specific needs of forensic pathology professionals.

In 2023, there were over 1.8 million assaults in the United States where personal weapons, such as hands, fists, or feet, were used. There were a further 149,766 assault offenses where handguns were used. What are firearms? Firearms are portable weapons used to shoot bullets. There are several different types of firearms, which include rifles, shotguns, machine guns, and pistols. Gun laws in the United States vary from state to state, where some states have stricter laws than others. Each state has their own constitution, which allows them to have their own interpretation of the Second Amendment of the Constitution. Gun culture in the United States is a large part of certain regions, where they share similar attitudes and beliefs about firearms and their right to own them. Aggravated Assault Aggravated assault is an intended action to cause serious bodily harm to someone else. In 2023, New Mexico had the highest rate of aggravated assault in the U.S., with Alaska, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana rounding out the top five. In contrast, the reported violent crime rate has decreased significantly since 1990, meaning that the U.S. is safer now than it was thirty years ago.

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There were 104 homicides recorded by the police in London in the 2024/25 reporting year, compared with 116 in 2023/24. Prior to the most recent year, 2017/18 had the most homicides in London at 159, with the fewest occurring in 2016/17, when there were 107. Comparisons with the rest of the UK With a homicide rate of 11.6 per million people, London had the highest homicide rate among UK regions in 2024/25. On a more localized level, the Metropolitan Police of Greater London reported a lower homicide rate than other police force areas that cover major cities, such as Merseyside, while the highest homicide rate among UK police forces was in Lincolnshire, in the East Midlands. Across England and Wales as a whole, there were 535 homicides in 2024/25, compared with 567 in the previous year. Knives the most common weapon used In 2023/24 there were 262 homicides in England and Wales involving a knife or other sharp instrument. As a comparison, there were just 22 homicides caused by a firearm in the same reporting year. While guns are generally difficult to obtain in the United Kingdom, knives are far more prevalent and have become a major problem for the police, particularly in London. The number of knife crime offences in London rose from 9,752 in 2015/16 to 16,344 in 2024/25.

One (A, B) or 3 days (C, D) after stab wound injuries on the right side of T13 spinal cord, Thy1-p45 mice (B, D) had fewer activated caspase-3+ cells compared to their WT littermates (A, C) on the injured side of the spinal cord. Serving as an internal control, there were almost no activated caspase-3+ cells on the contralateral uninjured side of the spinal cord in every section. The activated caspase-3+ cells co-localized with Hoechest 33342 nuclei staining and showed the typical features of cell death (DNA condensation) in the magnified view of injured spinal cord from both Thy1-p45 mice and their WT littermates (E, F). Scale bars: 200 µm (A–D), 20 µm (E, F).