CJ 102 Criminology

Chapter Two: The Nature and Extent of Crime

Unit 2 Seminar Topic This seminar will elaborate the strengths and weaknesses of collecting data about criminal involvement In addition, we will discuss the influence of the media on crime

Primary Sources of Crime Data Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) Self-report surveys

Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) A large database compiled by the FBI of crimes reported and arrests made each year throughout the U.S. Accuracy is somewhat suspect as research indicates less than half of all crime victims report incidents to police

National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) A program begun in 1982 that requires local police agencies to provide a brief account of each incident and arrest, including incident, victim, and offender information Will improve the accuracy of official crime data

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) The federal government sponsors this comprehensive, nationwide survey of victims about their experiences with law violation

Self-Report Surveys A research approach that asks subjects to describe, in detail, their recent and lifetime participation in criminal activity

Evaluating Crime Data Each source of crime data has strengths and weaknesses All sources record similar trends regarding personal characteristics of serious offenders, and when and where the crime occurs Sources are reliable indicators of changes and fluctuations in yearly crime rates

Crime Rate Trends

Trends in Violent Crime Violent crimes include murder, rape, assault, and robbery Between 1995 and 2005, violence in the U.S. decreased more than 20% Between 2004 and 2005, murder, assault, and robbery increased, though are still much lower than in the past

Trends in Property Crime Property crimes include larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson Between 1995 and 2005, the total number of property crimes declined about 15%, and the property crime rate declined almost 25%

Trends in Victimization Data Reported victimizations have declined significantly during the past 30 years Between 1993 and 2004, both the violent crime victimization rate and the property crime victimization rate decreased approximately 50%

Explaining Crime Trends Crime experts have identified a number of social, economic, personal, and demographic factors that influence crime rate trends: age economy/job social malaise abortion guns gangs drug use media justice policy

Crime Patterns Most reported crimes occur during July and August Large urban areas have the highest violence rates Western and Southern states have higher crime rates than the Midwest and Northeast Age is inversely related to criminality Male crime rates are much higher than those of females

Regional Crime Rates

Chronic Offenders Data show that most offenders commit a single criminal act, and on arrest, discontinue their criminal involvement A small group of offenders, called chronic offenders or career criminals, is responsible for a majority of all criminal offenses Punishment is inversely related to chronic offending: The more stringent the sanction, the more likely a chronic offender is to engage in repeated criminal behavior