In this chapter we address differing definitions on homicide, available data sources and the quality of the data. Apart from
complications with translation‖the translation of the term “homicide” in another language does not necessarily cover the exact
notion of homicide in the English context‖definitions of homicide between countries are different for various reasons. First,
the notions of premeditated and intentional homicide are not everywhere used in the same way, and in particular intentional
homicide is not in every country seen as an essential element of homicide as it is in the definition used for international
data sources. Second, there are several “special” forms of homicide, such as euthanasia and abortion, that may or may not
be part of the definition of homicide. For national data sources it is shown which elements are part of the homicide statistics
and which elements could be included or excluded dependent on the definitions used by international data sources. The quality
of homicide data is dependent on reliability and completeness. Whether to include attempted homicides is an important issue
here; but the questions whether missing persons could be the victim of a homicide or whether the cause of death is correctly
established are relevant. Also, the way statistical (counting) rules are applied have an impact on the results.