Chapter Two The Nature and Extent of Crime

Primary Sources of Crime Data Official Records: Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) Part I Crimes Part II Crimes Cleared Crimes Validity of the UCR LO 1: Discuss the various forms of crime data.

Primary Sources of Crime Data National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) Improvement over UCR 46 specific offenses 22 crime patterns Incident, victim, and offender information 20 states have implemented 12 states finalizing data collection LO 1: Discuss the various forms of crime data.

Class Discussion/Activity Read the section on UCR and NIBRS and be prepared to discuss with the class your answers to the following questions: What are the shortcomings of the UCR? Which advantages does NIBRS have compared to the UCR?

Primary Sources of Crime Data National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) Annual survey of victims Addresses “non-reporting” issue Information regarding victims, offenders, and crimes. Validity of the NCVS Future of the NCVS LO 1: Discuss the various forms of crime data.

Primary Sources of Crime Data Self-Report Surveys Given in groups Anonymous Additional questions about attitudes, values , and behaviors. Validity of Self-Reports Honesty of self-reporting participants “Monitoring the Future” Survey Consistent Longitudinal Learning Objective 1. Be familiar with the various forms of crime data.

Primary Sources of Crime Data Evaluating Crime Data Strengths UCR Offender data Crimes that surveys cannot measure NCVS Unreported crimes Victimization data Self-report surveys Information on offenders LO 3: Be familiar with the factors that influence crime rates.

Primary Sources of Crime Data Evaluating Crime Data Weaknesses UCR Does not include unreported crimes NCVS Limited samples Personal recollections Does not include homicide, drug abuse crimes Self-report surveys Rely on honesty of offenders LO 3: Be familiar with the factors that influence crime rates.

Primary Sources of Crime Data LO 3: Be familiar with the factors that influence crime rates.

Class Discussion/Activity Look at Table 2.1 in your textbook and analyze the information in the table. Answer the following questions related to Table 2.1: Which types of delinquency are committed the most often? Which type of delinquency has the highest probability of having been committed more than once? Which type of delinquency is committed the least often? Why do you think some types of delinquency are more likely to be committed repeatedly?

Crime Trends Contemporary Trends Trends in Victimization Crime rates are declining from peak in 1991 Violent crimes and thefts have declined Trends in Victimization Decrease in victimization across all age groups Significant decrease among teenagers What the Future Holds Increase in numbers of elementary school aged children Could indicate a future increase in crime as children reach teenage and young adult age LO 2: Analyze recent trends in the crime rate.

Crime Trends Explaining Trends in Crime Rates Age structure Immigration Economy/Jobs Abortion Gun availability Gang membership Drug use Media Aggressive law enforcement Incarceration Cultural change LO 2: Analyze recent trends in the crime rate. LO3: Be familiar with the factors that influence crime rates.

Crime Patterns Gender and Crime Trait differences Masculinity hypothesis Socialization differences Cognitive differences Political/Social differences Liberal feminist theory LO 2: Analyze recent trends in the crime rate. LO3: Be familiar with the factors that influence crime rates.

Crime Patterns Race and Crime Institutional racism Structural racism Racial threat theory Racial profiling Structural racism LO3: Be familiar with the factors that influence crime rates.

Crime Patterns Ecology of Crime Day, season and climate Temperature More crimes are reported during summer months Temperature Weather effects may have an impact on violent crime rates Regional differences Large urban areas have higher rates of violence LO3: Be familiar with the factors that influence crime rates.

Crime Patterns LO 2: Analyze recent trends in the crime rate. Source: Crime in the United States, 2011, www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in the-u.s.-2010/crime-map (accessed January 2013).

Crime Patterns Use of Firearms According to the NCVS firearms are typically involved in 20 percent of robberies 10 percent of assaults 5 percent of rapes Two-thirds of murders On-going debate about gun control LO 2: Analyze recent trends in the crime rate. LO3: Be familiar with the factors that influence crime rates.

Crime Patterns Social Class, Socioeconomic Conditions, and Crime Instrumental crimes Expressive crimes LO3: Be familiar with the factors that influence crime rates.

Crime Patterns Age and Crime Aging out of crime Age and biology Neurotransmitters LO 5: Know what is meant by the term aging out process.

Class Discussion/Activity From your perspective as a student, why are teenagers more likely to commit crimes? What is the aging-out effect?

Crime Patterns Race and Crime Institutional racism Structural racism Racial threat theory Racial profiling Structural racism LO 4: Identify the gender and racial patterns in crime.

Chronic Offenders/Criminal Careers Delinquency in a Birth Cohort Wolfgang, Figlio, and Sellin Classic longitudinal study that tracked a cohort of boys over an 18 year period LO 6: Be familiar with the concept of chronic offending and know its causes.

Chronic Offenders/Criminal Careers What Causes Chronicity? Early onset Implications of the Chronic Offender Concept “three-strikes” “truth-in-sentencing” LO 6: Be familiar with the concept of chronic offending and know its causes.