the nature of crime and victimization
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The Nature of Crime and Victimization. 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 Facts. Criminologists use research and data to Formulate theories that explain crime origins - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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.