CHAPTER 2

LECTURE NOTES

MEASURMENT OF CRIME

There are three important measures of crime in America which include the Uniform Crime Reports from the F.B.I., the National Crime Victimization Survey administered by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and various self-reports. Read about them in the chapter and know the limitations of both. For emphasis, you should know that the UCR underreports the amount of crime and the NCVS reports crimes that may not have been reported to the police. You should know the types of offenses included in each report and the method in which they report per capita rates. Self-reports ask the people directly about their behaviors. Many survey high school students which leaves out a significant population of school dropouts. They do provide important information about drug use and personal characteristics of those completing the surveys but are suspect in their accuracy and usefulness in providing crime information. The following graphs represent the most recent data available. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secondary Sources

Be familiar with the techniques explained in the text on pages 37-38 used by criminologists and other researchers to gather data including cohort research, experimental research, observational research, meta-analysis, data mining and crime mapping.

 

OFFICIAL CRIME TRENDS

 

 

 

 

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The homicide rate is probably the most accurate of all the data because homicides tend to receive more attention. Looking at the chart you will note the increase from the 1900's until it peaked in the early 1930's. This is probably a reflection of the increasing gang activity associated with prohibition. The homicide rate dropped dramatically during the depression and until the end of World War II. What does that say about the economy's impact on violent crime? It remained relatively flat through the 1950's but began a rapid increase in the mid- 1960's and continued to climb until it began a series of peaks and valleys reflected in the overall crime rate. The largest decrease in recent years occurred beginning in 1991. Since that time the rate has dropped 42% and is at its lowest rate since 1960. Study the chart and try and relate what major events were happening in the country and the homicide trends. For example, why do you think the homicide rate went up so high in the 1970's and 1980's. Could it have been related to the increasing social unrest in the country or the surge of drug use during that time?

 

 

VICTIM SURVEY RESULTS

 

 

 

 

 

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EXPLAINING CRIME TRENDS

 

 

 

 

 

OFFICIAL PATTERNS OF CRIME

Criminologists study patterns of crime because it will help them to make conclusions about the causes of crime. Our text begins a discussion on these patterns on page 61. I have attempted to summarize some of these findings below.

Ecological, Regional and Seasonal Differences:

 Urban areas

 Seasons

  Regional differences:.

 

Social class

 Official Reports: Crime

 Self Reports:

Age

The most highly correlated variable with crime is age.

 Vast majority of crimes are committed by offenders between the ages of

 Property crimes is .

 30% of all index crimes are committed by children age

Early onset of criminality

 

Desistance

Gender

 

 

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Race

Official crime statistics:

 

 

National Crime Victimization Survey:

 

Self report studies:

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