2007 Preliminary: A large countywide homicide drop and an average of 39% of cases solved so far

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HR continues its survey of 2007 cases to update the archives on the blog.

So far, preliminary figures suggest that there were about 913 homicides recorded by the coroner in all of Los Angeles County during 2007. A final count is pending. Dozens of possible homicides or accidental deaths await a final determination, so it remains unclear how the countywide numbers will stack up. But if anything close to this figure holds, 2007 will end up being the least deadly year for homicide in a generation locally--not just within the city limits of Los Angeles, as The Times has recently reported--but throughout all of Los Angeles County, including areas policed by the Los Angeles County sheriff and police departments such as those in Inglewood, Huntington Park, Pomona and Pasadena.

Additionally, HR has now reviewed 570 homicide cases countywide being investigated by scores of police units. The average solve rate--the rate at which cases are cleared by the arrest of a suspect--is holding at about 39% countywide. The clearance survey continues.

Finally, the coroner’s files indicate that more than 70 homicide cases are missing from the homicide report. HR is working to update its archives.

--Jill Leovy/LAT