Lethality Index 2008-2014: Less shootings, same lethality, more opacity

• Main Authors: Carlos Silva Forné, Catalina Pérez Correa, Rodrigo Gutiérrez Rivas
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales, Sede México 2017-11-01
• Series: Perfiles Latinoamericanos
• Subjects: uso de la fuerza; derechos humanos; México
• Online Access: http://perfilesla.flacso.edu.mx/index.php/perfilesla/article/view/544

<p>This article evaluates the use of lethal force by Mexican federal security forces during shootings with presumed members of organized crime from 2008-2014. The authors use official data and press reports on deaths and wounded in shootings to construct indicators such as the number of dead civilians over the number of dead officials from the federal security forces and the number of dead civilians over the number of wounded civilians. In a context where certain factors that contribute to an excessive use of force become more common, the results of the study show a growing use of lethal force. This raises questions over the possible excessive use of lethal force as a normal or systematic practice. The study also shows a growing context of opacity in the information available to evaluate the use of lethal force and the general lack of a legal framework to regulate the use of lethal force in Mexico.</p>