Homicide figures down in Australia

Homicides claimed the lives of 324 people in Australia last year - a 15 per cent drop from the year before.

Australian Institute of Criminology figures showed there were 297 homicide cases, resulting in the deaths of 324 people during 2003.

That gave Australia, with a population of 20 million, a homicide rate of 1.6 per 100,000, the lowest since the institute started collecting figures in 1990.

The cases range from stabbing deaths to a tourist fatally attacked by a crocodile after a tour guide told her it was safe to swim in a water hole.

Men account for two-thirds of victims and 87 per cent of offenders. Knives and other sharp implements were the most common murder weapons, used in 36 per cent of cases, followed by assault using hands and feet (21 per cent) and firearms (16 per cent).