Atlas da Violência 2026

Abstract

In this 2026 *Atlas of Violence*, as in previous editions, the aim was to portray violence in Brazil primarily using data from the Ministry of Health’s (MS) Mortality Information System (SIM) and Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sinan). However, the SIM/MS database revealed a significant increase in Violent Deaths of Undetermined Intent (MVCI) in recent years, which hampers the analysis of intentionally perpetrated violent deaths. To address this issue, Cerqueira and Lins (2024a, b) conducted two studies to assess data quality and—using machine learning methodology—estimate the number of homicides classified as MVCI, referred to here as "hidden homicides." In this document, as we did in the 2023–2025 editions of the *Atlas of Violence*, we present two analyses regarding homicide prevalence across Brazil's federal units: one based solely on official records classified as homicide (deaths resulting from assault or legal intervention), and another that also accounts for the estimated share of hidden homicides, based on the aforementioned authors' methodology.