" Inexplicable" was the word chosen by Jamaica's Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields when questioned about the 95% hike in murder reported last month across the country. Shields has responsibility for the crime portfolio which for 2008, has reflected horror in the Western Caribbean island of 2.8 million.

The Data:

January - 140 murdered

February - 104 murdered

March - 126 murdered

April - 119 murdered

May - 199; 92 were gang related and motives are yet to be established for 41.

Total - 688 murdered in Jamaica for the first 5 months of 2008.