Final answer:
Research shows there is no correlation between the phases of the moon and the rate of homicides, debunking the belief that the full moon influences an increase in crime rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Homicide is an act in which a person kills another person. A homicide requires only a volitional act or an omission that causes the death of another, and thus a homicide may result from accidental, reckless, or negligent acts even if there is no intent to cause harm.
The night of the week homicide is most likely to occur falls under the study of crime statistics, which is a part of social studies, particularly criminology. Scientific research, including statistical analyses of thousands of records from hospital emergency rooms and police files, has shown that there is no correlation between human behavior, including homicides, and the phases of the moon.
Homicides occur at the same rate during the new moon or the crescent moon as they do during the full moon. Thus, there is no particular night of the week where homicide is statistically more likely based on lunar cycles.