en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_killing
2 corrections found
of 162 contract murders and attempted contract murders in Australia between 1989 and 2002
The Australian Institute of Criminology study examined 163 offences, not 162: 69 completed contract killings and 94 attempted ones.
Full reasoning
The cited Australian Institute of Criminology report does not describe a sample of 162 cases. Its abstract says the report examined 69 completed and 94 attempted contract killings, which totals 163. The report's executive summary repeats that it identified 163 offences in Australia.
So this part of the article understates the study size by one case and misstates the underlying figure from the source.
2 sources
- Contract killings in Australia | Australian Institute of Criminology
The report examines 69 completed and 94 attempted contract killings in Australia between 1 July 1989 and 30 June 2002...
- Contract killings | Australian Institute of Criminology
Joint research ... examined 163 attempted and completed contract killings in Australia between the period 1 July 1989 and 30 June 2002.
the most common reason for murder-for-hire was insurance policy payouts.
The study did not find insurance payouts were the top motive. It found relationship dissolution was the most common motive overall, and criminal networks/organized crime was the most common motive among completed contract killings with known motive.
Full reasoning
This statement conflicts with the Australian Institute of Criminology study it cites.
According to the report's executive summary, the most common motive overall for attempted and completed contract killings in Australia was "Dissolution of a Relationship". The report also says that when completed contract killings were examined separately, the most common known motive was organised crime/criminal networks.
The report does mention life insurance payouts, but only as one example within relationship-related or financially motivated cases. It does not say insurance payouts were the most common reason for murder-for-hire.
2 sources
- Contract Killings in Australia (Research and Public Policy Series No. 53)
The category of “Dissolution of a Relationship” was the most common motive of contract killings in Australia (for both the attempted and completed contract killings; 19 per cent).
- Contract killings | Australian Institute of Criminology
The most common motive for attempted contract killings was the 'dissolution of a relationship' ... Of the completed contract killings where the motive of the instigator was known, the most common motive was criminal networks.