The number of killings in Scotland has increased by more than a quarter.
The figures revealed today show there were 118 homicide cases in Scotland in 2006/07, as of November 19, covering both murder (86) and culpable homicide (32).
This figure is up 24 (26%) on the previous year.
The 118 cases involved 119 victims, meaning there was one double killing last year, with 27% more victims than last year.
Nearly half of those accused were either drunk or on drugs at the time of the offence.
Most victims (84%) were male - nearly six times the rate for females.
So far 45 (27%) of the 167 accused in homicide cases had a charge of murder proved as at November 19 this year. A further 28 have (17%) have had a charge of culpable homicide proved.
The 167 accused is 19% up on 2005/06, with 92% of those accused male.
The most common method of killing in each of the last ten years has been with a sharp instrument.
This was used in the homicide of 54 victims (45%) in 2006/07 - over three times as many as the second most common method.
The next most common method of killing for males was hitting and kicking (15%), followed by use of a blunt instrument and poisoning (both 11%).
The main accused was known to most victims either as an acquaintance (51%), a relative (13%) or a partner (9%).
Nearly half (47%) of the total of 167 persons accused in homicide cases in 2006-07 were reported to have been drunk or under the influence of drugs at the time.
Of these, 30% were drunk, 8% were on drugs and 9% were both drunk and on drugs.
"These depressingly familiar statistics show the long-term challenge we face," justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said today.
"The overall approach to tackling violence which was initiated under the last administration was the right one - tough enforcement initiatives on knives, on alcohol-fuelled violence, and on gangs backed by a long-term approach to educate and shift attitudes among young people.
"We intend to build on that."
Action is also being taken to tackle Scotland's "drinking culture", while efforts are ongoing to tackle knife crime, he added.
Opposition leaders branded the figures "appalling" and warned the Scottish Government that "breaking pledges" on police recruitment will not improve matters.
Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken said today: "These figures are appalling.
"We need more police officers, a faster court system, tighter bail laws and an end to the ridiculous, discredited system of automatic early release."
He said the fact that 30% of those accused of homicide were drunk at the time was a "damning indictment" of the previous Labour-Lib Dem regime.
He added: "I hope this sends a clear message to the new SNP government -emptying our prisons, breaking police recruitment pledges and turning early release into even earlier release is not going to make things better.
"One thing is for certain; we cannot allow the present trend to continue."
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