Murder in Jamaica and the United States This paper presents a detailed examination of the differences and similarities between murder in Jamaica and the United States. The writer focuses on the nature of the crimes as well as the differences between the two nations when it comes to acts of murder by the government agencies. There were five sources used to complete this paper.

While many crimes can be scary the thought of being murdered or someone we love being murdered is the ultimate fear when it comes to possible victimization. Murder is the final act of life, it is what stops all hopes, dreams, goals, efforts and ambitions. Murders occur worldwide but in the United States and the nation of Jamaica there are similarities and differences in the murders they experience that can potentially change the way their societies think. Murder is a violent crime regardless of how it is carried out but each nation has its individual patterns in how murders occur and why they happen.

WHAT IS IT

Murder is the act of taking one's life. There are many reasons that people murder. Some of them include psychosis, anger, passion, jealousy, and profit. Those who murder for profit may be angered by a drug deal gone bad, or get paid to kill or they may want the life insurance that the dead person leaves behind. One might murder because someone they care about asks them to and they have a lack of empathy or morals to stop them from carrying out the request. Regardless of the reason one commits murder it is the act of taking someone's life away.

THE TWO NATIONS

America and Jamaica have little in common in many areas...

The violent nature of murder in each of these places may appear at first glance to be the same but when one peels off the top layer and examines the underpinnings one will discover that there are many differences in the murders that occur in each location.
JAMAICA

Jamaica has experienced a recent surge in violent crimes including murder the past few years (Murder, 2001). In 2000 the island experienced more than 1,100 murders. This number was an increase of more than 27% from the previous year. "The island of 2.6 million people has one of the worst per capita murder rates in the world. Much of the violence, especially in the poor, inner city areas of the capital, has been blamed on armed gangs loyal to Jamaica's two major political parties, the ruling People's National Party and the opposition Jamaica Labor Party (Murder, 2001)."

This presents one of the key differences in murders that take place in the United States and Jamaica. The political triggers for murder in Jamaica are not the norm in America. Because of the history of political problems leading to murders in Jamaica, Jamaican officials and police are placed on high alert when political events draw near (Murder, 2001).

Another common cause of murder in Jamaica is gang related murder. "The worst outbreak of inter-gang fighting erupted in the capital in May, leaving 71 dead. In July, another 28 people were killed in gunfights when police and soldiers moved in to restore order (Penketh, 2002). "

Gangs are a problem in both locations, but the islands seem to have a higher per capital gang related problem with murder…