After their review of available evidence, the National Research Council determined that research to date
◦ suggests that capital punishment deters many people considering first degree murder but only a few of those considering second degree murder and manslaughter.
◦ clearly shows that the death penalty has a deterrent effect on homicide rates.
◦ cannot conclusively determine whether capital punishment decreases, increases, or has no effect on homicide rates.
◦ indicates that the death penalty effectively deters women, but cannot be said to deter men from committing first degree murder.