the nature of crime and victimization

The Nature of Crime and The Nature of Crime and VictimizationVictimization

Is crime really a significant problem?

Is crime increasing or decreasing?

Is crime becoming more serious?

Where and when do crimes occur?

Decisions Based On FactsDecisions Based On Facts

Criminologists use research and data to– Formulate theories that explain crime origins– Devise policies to control and eliminate crime

This requires– Data Collection– Analysis

Decisions Based On FactsDecisions Based On Facts

Why is it important to collect crime data?

Why is it important to analyze crime data and patterns?

Decisions Based On FactsDecisions Based On Facts

• Are males more likely to • Commit crime?• Commit violent crime?

• Is there a biological explanation for crime?• How about an explanation based on

• Psychological Factors (Anger, Frustration, etc)• Sociological Factors (Neighborhoods, Poverty)

How Do We Define Crime?How Do We Define Crime?

Three Views

How Do We Crime?How Do We Crime?

Three Views1. Consensus View

How Do We Define Crime?How Do We Define Crime?

Three Views2. Criminal Law

How Do We Define Crime?How Do We Define Crime?

Three Views3. Social Control

How Do We Define Crime?How Do We Define Crime?

Opinions about crime differ.– Drug use – Some sexual activities

Opinion Definitions– Interactionist View– Moral Entrepreneur View– Conflict View

How Do We Define Crime?How Do We Define Crime?

Interactionist View

How Do We Define Crime?How Do We Define Crime?

Moral Entrepreneur View

How Do We Define Crime?How Do We Define Crime?

Conflict View

How Do We Define Crime?How Do We Define Crime?

Regardless of differences

Combating CrimeCombating Crime

What impacts crime?– Large numbers of police?– Early childhood education and values?– Treatment programs?– Harsh criminal sanctions?

Need to start looking somewhere, systematically.

Crime Data MeasurementCrime Data Measurement

Surveys: QuestionnairesRecord Data: Schools, Police, etc.Cohort Data: Groups (Abuse…Later Crime)Observation Data: FirsthandInterview Data: Speak With Offenders

Crime ReportingCrime Reporting

Three Primary Means– Uniform Crime Reports (UCR)

FBI data derived from police

– Victim Surveys National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) U.S. Census Bureau and Justice Dept. venture

– Self-Report Surveys Usually mass mailings

Crime ReportingCrime Reporting

Uniform Crime Reports– Collects data on Index Crimes– Reports based on data from police – Shortcoming

Fewer than ½ of crime incidents reported to police

Crime ReportingCrime Reporting

National Crime Victimization Survey – Results

Fewer than 1/2 of violent crimes reported Fewer than 1/3 of personal theft crimes reported Fewer than ½ of household theft crimes reported

Crime ReportingCrime Reporting

Self-Report Surveys– Usually done by questionnaires– Most studies focus on juvenile delinquency and

youth crime– Findings:

Juvenile have the highest reported crime rate.

Crime ReportingCrime Reporting

Self-Report Surveys Often Measure

Crime ReportingCrime Reporting

Self-Report surveys show

Crime ReportingCrime Reporting

Self-Report surveys show crime incidence is much greater than official reports show.

Crime ReportingCrime Reporting

Self-Report Surveys show the most common juvenile offenses are:

Crime ReportingCrime Reporting

Self-Report Surveys: High School Students– At least 1/3 involved in theft– At least 1/5 committed serious violent act

Crime ReportingCrime Reporting

The UCR, NCVS and Self-Reporting Statistics often differ

Crime TrendsCrime Trends

1930s-1960s: Gradual Crime Increase

1960s-1990: Rapid Crime Increase

1991-2000: Crime Number & Rate Decline

2001-Present: Increase In Crime

Crime TrendsCrime Trends

Violent Crime1994-1999: 20% Violent Crime Decrease

Property Crime1990-1999: 19% Decrease

Crime TrendsCrime Trends

Drug and Alcohol Use 1970s: Sharp Increase

1980s: Leveled Off

Mid 1990s-1997: Increased

1998-2000: Declined

Why Crime Rates ChangeWhy Crime Rates Change

• Factors Affecting The Crime Rate • Proportion of young males in the population

• Likely increase in next decade

• Prolonged periods of economic weakness• Prolonged periods of unemployment• Level of social problems

• Teen mothers, racial conflict

• Firearm availability• Gang membership• Crack cocaine, other drug usage• Crime control policy

Factors Affecting Crime RateFactors Affecting Crime Rate

Proportion Of Young Males In Population– Declining male birth rate– Lower crime results– Teen population will increase in next decade– Expect increase in crime

Factors Affecting Crime RateFactors Affecting Crime Rate

Prolonged Economic Weakness and Unemployment– 1980s Recession

Sense of hopelessness

Factors Affecting Crime RateFactors Affecting Crime Rate

Level Of Social Problems– Teen Mothers

Positive correlation between homicide rate of the 17-yr-old age group and its members born to unwed

– Racial Conflict In-migration of minorities into predominantly white

neighborhoods correlates positively with crime Racially motivated crimes decrease as

neighborhoods become more integrated

Factors Affecting Crime RateFactors Affecting Crime Rate

Crack Cocaine Use– As crack cocaine use declines so does level of

violence

Factors Affecting Crime RateFactors Affecting Crime Rate

Justice Policy– Aggressive enforcement policies targeting

“quality of life crimes” (Loitering, Panhandling, Petty Drug Use) reduce crime

– Tough laws targeting drug dealing and repeat offenders may affect the crime rate.

BreakBreak

Read assignments.Participate in class discussions.Review notes weekly.