Does heat cause homicides? A meta-analysis

Vojtěch Mišák

International Review of Law and Economics, 2024, vol. 78, issue C

Abstract: Several studies provide evidence that heat is positively associated with criminal activity. However, the empirical literature does not provide conclusive evidence about the effect of high temperature on homicides. I examine 156 estimates from 20 studies on the relationship between temperature and homicide rates. In particular, in this meta-analysis I study publication bias using linear and nonlinear techniques together with Bayesian model averaging to explain the heterogeneity in the estimates. After correcting estimates from the publication bias, I cannot conclude that there is a significant effect of temperature on homicide rates. Moreover, monthly data produce larger estimates. Conversely, studies using data from Asia or the OLS estimation method lead to smaller estimates.

Keywords: Environmental law and economics; Economic analysis of crime; Meta-analysis; Bayesian model averaging; Publication bias (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Working Paper: Does Heat Cause Homicides? A Meta-Analysis (2023)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:irlaec:v:78:y:2024:i:c:s0144818824000115

DOI: 10.1016/j.irle.2024.106191

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