How is Crime Measured Uniform Crime Report (UCR) Completed by the U.S. Department of Justice Established in 1930 Measures the overall rate of crime in the United States UCR is based on 3 things: The number of persons arrested The number of crime reported by victims, witnesses, or the police themselves The number of law enforcement officers The FBI relies on the voluntary participation of local law enforcement agencies. These agencies – 17,500 in total, covering 95% of the population base their information on 3 measurements.

How do agencies present the crime data? As a rate per 100,000 people This statistic is known as the crime rate As a percentage change How much did the crime rate increase or decrease from year to year The FBI has collected all the local reports for a given year, the agency presents the crime in 2 important ways. Rate per 100,000 people . For every 100,000 people in the U.S. 3,295 Part 1 offenses (which we will discuss in a minute) were reported to the FBI. Crime rate is often cited by media sources when discussing the level of crimes The Department of Justice publishes this data annually of Crime in the United States

Part I Offenses Crimes, that due to their seriousness and frequency, are recorded by the FBI. Gives the general idea of the “crime picture” in the United States in a given year. Most likely to be covered by the media So what are do you think are part 1 offenses?? The UCR divides the criminal offenses it measures into 2 major categories: Part 1 and Part 2 offenses.

Part I Offense Cont. Murder Rape Robbery Aggravated Assault Burglary – Breaking or Entering Larceny/Theft Motor Vehicle Theft Arson According to UCR statistics, a relative or other acquaintance of the victim commits 44 percent of the homicides in the United States. The majority of part 1 offenses committed are property crimes. 60 percent of all reported Part 1 offenses are larceny/thefts, and another 21 percent are burglaries.

Part II Offenses Far outweigh part I offenses All crimes that do not fall into part I category Often only measured by arrest date What are Part II Offenses? In 2011, the FBI recorded about 2.1 million part I offenses in the U.S. and 10.2 million arrests for part II offenses. Part II Offenses for 2011 was approximately five times more common than part I offenses.

Part II Offenses Drug abuse violations Driving Under the Influence Drunkenness Fraud Vandalism Vagrancy Gambling Loitering

Victim Surveys Allows victims of crime to speak directly to crime experts about their experiences. First took place in 1966 The 1966 experiment resulted in the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), which started in 1972 Initially done over the phone or in face-to-face interviews Now researchers use email and social media for access to a broader range of possible subjects The UCR relies on official reports of crime. In contrast, Victim Surveys allow victims of crime to speak directly to crime experts about their experiences. First large-scale victim survey took place in 1966, when members of 10,000 households answered questionnaires as part of the President’s (Lyndon Johnson) Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. The 1966 experiment was so successful that the federal government decided to institute an ongoing victim survey. Resulted in the NCVS in 1972

Victim Survey Cont. NCVS conducts annual survey of about 41,000 households Participants are interviewed twice a year over the course of 3 years Participants are interviewed about their experiences with crime in the past six months Some think it’s superior to the UCR because: It measures both reported and unreported crime It is unaffected by police bias and distortions in reporting crime to the FBI It does not rely on victims directly reporting crime to the police Conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census in cooperation with the Bureau of Justice statistics of the Justice Department, the NCVS conducts an annual of survey of about 41,000 households with nearly 73,500 occupants over 12 years of age. Supporters of the NCVS think it’s superior to the UCR They say the NCVS gives victims a voice in the criminal justice process

Self-Reported Surveys Participants are asked about specific criminal activity they may have been involved in Most useful in juvenile facility or prison Most widespread self-reported survey is the Drug Use Forecasting Program. No penalty for admitting to criminal activity in a self-reported survey Third source of data for criminologists. Participants are asked directly via personal interviews, questionnaires, or over the phone about specific criminal activity that they may have been involved in. Most useful when group being studied are in a juvenile facility or prison The Drug Use Forecasting Program collects information on narcotics use from arrestees who have been brought into booking facilities. There is no penalty to admitting to criminal activity in a self-reported survey, subjects tend to be forthcoming in discussing their behavior.

LET’S REVIEW Who completes the UCR?? When was the UCR established? What does the UCR measure? What three things is the UCR based on? What are part I offenses?? What are part II offenses?? When did the first victim survey take place?? The U.S. Dept of Justice 1930 The overall rate of crime in the U.S. The number of persons arrested The number of crime reported by victims, witnesses, or the police themselves The number of law enforcement officers 1966

COMPLETE THESE IN YOUR NOTEBOOKS I WILL DO NOTEBOOK CHECKS TOMORROW!! Assignment Using the Criminal Justice in Action books that are in the boxes in the front of the room, complete the following: Turn to page #38 and read Excess Baggage, then answer the questions under the For Critical Analysis section. There are 3 questions but several parts to each questions. Make sure you answer all parts. Turn to page #53 and read Landmark Cases. Then answer the questions under For Critical Analysis. COMPLETE THESE IN YOUR NOTEBOOKS I WILL DO NOTEBOOK CHECKS TOMORROW!!