Premium Essay

Measurement of Crime

In:

Submitted By sonellepoe
Words 845
Pages 4
Is How Crime Measured in the United States Accurate?
LT B
February 14, 2014

Is How Crime Measured in the United States Accurate?
America's system of reporting crime has undergone a number of changes over the years since its inception in the early 1900s. Some would argue that the system data is invalid and does not accurately reflect the crimes committed, reported, or prosecuted, and neither is it indicative of the cause for criminal behavior. Nonetheless, this system is the only source available with any form of useful data relating to crime. Is there a more reliable alternative to measuring crime and collecting pertinent data?
In America, law enforcement agencies use criminal statistic reports to measure crime; however, these statistics do not account for crimes that go unreported, reported crimes that did not lead to arrests, and charges reduced through plea-bargaining. When it comes to analyzing crime statistics a person must use his or her own critical thinking skills. Not all crime statistics will be accurate as it is an attempt to provide the American public with general information gathered that may not be in detail. The subject of Information is key, at the basic level a person should have knowledge in the description of the crime. There are a numerous amount of questions a person must take into consideration when it comes to reading and reviewing these reports. For example, 1.) Examine the source and whether or not it is reliable and trustworthy 2.) Acknowledge the possibility that there are flaws and omissions within the data and investigate to find the facts 3.) Keep in mind the significance of the data, its validity, and the message its goal is to portray. These are only a few proposals an individual should contemplate in order to have an understanding of the topic. Scrutinizing crime statistic reports or any statistical data often helps to

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Crime Measurement

...1 Crime Measurement In The United States JimmyVazquez CJA/204 - INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE June 30,2014 Instructor:LYLE MARTIN In this paper you will read about what type of instruments are being used to measure crime in the United States, including the nation’s top two major crime programs and the purpose of these programs. I will also explain what are crime rates, arrest rates, clearance rates, recidivism rate and how these rates can be deceiving, and briefly touching on the relation between crime rate and arrest rates, and how to improve the correlation between crime rates and arrest rates and concluding this paper with a solution in effort to combating criminal activity. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) where the first instrumental programs used to gather information on violent crimes and began publishing information for the UCR Program in 1929. Two years later in 1930s till present day the FBI has been collecting information on the following crimes murder, and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, aggravated-assault, arsenate theft, Motor vehicle theft, robbery, and arson. Law enforcement agencies report arrest data for 21 additional crime categories. UCR in annual FBI publication that summarizes the incidents and rate of reported crimes in the US. Law enforcement agency voluntary Report crimes statistics on a monthly basis to the FBI. Another source used to measure crime in the United States is he national crime victimization...

Words: 1019 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Crime Measurement

...Crime Measurement Kaliyan Hernandez July 14, 2014 Crime Measurement Ever wonder, how does researchers come up with certain statistics for the U.S when it comes to crime? Or, how would one know where criminal activity would be in their community based on facts? Examining crime measurement primarily in the United States can be determined and based on multiple factors. These factors are soon to be discussed which will include instruments that are used to measure crime, major crime reporting programs and their purposes, crime rates, arrest rates, clearance rates, and recidivism rates. This paper also will address the criminal justice interactive video, how crime rates can be deceiving, arrest rates in relation to crime, if there is an ultimate resolution with these specific rates in relation to preventing criminal activity, and certain statistics that tell us about crime as a whole in the United States. All these factors and more will explain how crime is measured in our country. The United States Department of Justice has two statistical programs that measure the amount of crime in the Nation which are the Uniform Crime Reporting Program (Known as UCR) and the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). Each program show the outcome of different parts of the Nation’s crime problem by using different methods focusing on different parts (U.S. Department of Justice, 2009). The UCR collects ad compiles from police reports and other law enforcement agencies and is thoroughly...

Words: 831 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Crime-Definition and Measurement

...Title Student’s name Course Institution Date Defining and Measuring Crime Introduction Crime has always been a shadow upon society’s image as these learned behaviors can be present in all shapes and sizes, in cities, streets, and even homes. Defining crime is multifaceted, and mainly relies on social, economic, and political factors. However, crime is a behavior and action punishable by law. People argue on the extent of crime which deserves punishment or law action. In general, no matter how depraved, culpable, treacherous, or damaging an act or behavior is, it will be subject to punishment. Other people argue that crimes depend on law of a state and the legislature. The types of punishment vary depending on the crime committed and seriousness of the crime. Criminal behavior changes from place to place and from time to time. Strong public notions and varying moral values have a substantial influence on the interpretation and understanding of crime. The first main problem of studying crime is coming up with the appropriate definition of the act or behavior. Discussion Crime covers complicated and several acts and behaviors that it has been difficult to have a standard definition of the subject. For instance, some countries and states have legalized abortion while others still consider abortion a crime. Matters of homosexuality are still frowned upon by some people because of their moral standings. In this case, it can be confusing on whether abortion...

Words: 701 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Outline and Asses the Three Measurements of Crime

...Outline and asses the three measurements of crime When measuring crime and deviance sociologist tend to look at the different types of ways that we can measure crime; this includes, Official statistics, Victim survey and lastly self report studies. Each of these methods focuses on very different things, they also have strong and weak points but by combining them, a possible general picture of crime and deviance could be drawn. Firstly, official statistics show that public fear of being a victim of crime is rising. This stark difference between the level of crime and fear of crime has been attributed to the way of crime is reported in the media. Tabloid papers often use alarmist headlines about crime and deviance to grab the attention of readers causing a moral panic. It’s been argued that these exaggerate the chances of being victim of crime. Official statistics have strong points such as they are relatively cheap and readily available. They are published annually and they provide data on crime across the whole of the UK and also provide insight into regional differences in crime. This means that sociologists would be able to compare between different parts of the UK for example rural and urban areas. Positivist sociologists such as Functionalists are very supportive of the Official statistics; they see that this method of measuring crime is reliable, representative and valid. It also provides a true picture of the extent and nature of crime. However, this method does come...

Words: 1365 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Crime in the United States

...| Crime in the United States | Data Analysis Project | | Brad Davidson | | 12/2/2010 | | Executive Summary This purpose of this report is to answer the question, “what variables affect the level of crime in the United States?” With so many possible influences, the goal of this analysis will be to narrow the scope to the items which we feel will be most statistically significant when gauging the effect on the level of crime. The regression analysis methodology is best suited for this analysis since it can identify the influences of the different variables from past data and provide an equation to predict future values with an associated level of accuracy. The result of the analysis could then be shared with local and national representatives to help focus efforts on reducing the overall crime level and improve public safety. This report contains the following: (1) Brief introduction of the study, (2) Statistical Methodology, (3) Preliminary Analysis of the Data, (4) Regression Analysis, (5) Forecast, and (6) Conclusion. Introduction The current social climate in the United States was the motivation behind this analysis. With the current mid-term elections, there were many topics that would seem unsettling to most individuals and it’s our perception that most feel more unsafe now than say 10-15 years ago. Granted there are many factors that contribute to this type of fear or uneasiness, but one that we decided to investigate was related to crime...

Words: 4005 - Pages: 17

Free Essay

Mathematics and Forensics

...with each beat of music being timed by numbers. Math is everywhere and people with brilliant minds can use mathematics to contribute to the world in very positive ways. One such way is the science of forensics. Without math, forensics could not exist. As population growth increases at an alarming rate, people have to find ways of holding people accountable for unlawful behavior. Forensic science has allowed civilization to evolve and become less barbaric and move towards factual based evidence when solving crimes against nature. Forensic science measures facts involving a crime and figure out the truth behind those measurements. Whether it is the skid marks from a vehicle collision or blood splatter analysis; mathematics is the reason why this can be done. Forensics have paved the way to a better justice system providing factual based evidence based upon math laws that are accepted as truth. The study of ballistics and the trajectory of bullets is a crucial element in crime solving strategy. In the United States, it is everyone’s privilege to own a gun lawfully. If the majority of the people had guns, it would be important to have a way of holding citizens accountable. This is done with mathematics....

Words: 1097 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Life Lessons and Distractions

...a clear understanding from the data being provided. Statistics measures, controls, and communicates the different uncertainties within the data. The two different types of statistics are descriptive and inferential which basically breaks down how statistics are looked at both ways. Descriptive statistics are used to summarize or describe a collection of data that is gathered. Descriptive data is very useful in research while reporting and communicating the results of an experiment. Inferential statistics provides a prediction based on data where a theory logically leads to, and it provides patterns in data that are used to draw from observations. The levels of statistics are measured through nominal measurement, ordinal measurement, interval measurement, and ratio measurement. Statistics play a major role in business decision making because the decisions that are made for a business or organization are based on statistics. Statistics are used to crunch and analyze large...

Words: 533 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Does Poverty Cause Crime

...Personal development and Academic Skills | Poverty and Crime | Does poverty foster crime? | | SHI Hanwei | 28 September 2012 | Introduction: There has been an ongoing discussion over the relationship between poverty and crime. Some of the researches have concluded that poverty does not increase the crime rate, because in some of the most undeveloped countries where people have low standard of living and some even struggle to survive, the crime rate was proven to be low (Christine 2005). However, in contrast, some scholars have developed a direct relationship between poverty and crime. The researchers indicated that since people who live in poverty are already having a bad life and the benefit of committing a crime is greater than the cost of committing it and ultimately, people who live in poverty is more likely to commit a crime (Niskanen 1996). This essay will examine both perspectives over the relationship between poverty and crime and subjectively suggest possible causes of crime rate. However, since only secondary data are gathered, there might not be sufficient information to present the real issue. Contents of Discussion: In order to prove the direct relationship between poverty and crime, it is crucial to understand the direct influences of poverty and then the potential threats it might oppose to the society. Poverty is defined as the state of having little or no money, goods, or means of support; condition of poor (Dictionary.com 2012). The money is...

Words: 1492 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Sex Offender Registry Unfair

...Sexual is a major problem in the United States, especially in certain states such as California. Legislator have passed numerous laws to try to reduce the number of victims. One of the measurements taken to reduce recidivism is the sex registry. There are now websites available that contains the sex offenders’ name, address, and photograph. These registries main purpose is to prevent future sex crimes and to reduce recidivism. The purpose of the registry is good because the public has the right to know about sex offenders who live nearby them. However, the registry is not meeting its goals and may be encouraging recidivism. The sex offender registry should be changed to make it fair and effective. Sex offender registries are not effective because...

Words: 1441 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Measuring Crime

... Measuring Crime Crime measurement and statistics for police departments are very important when it comes to money allotment, staffing needs or termination and it is also used to determine the effectiveness of new laws and programs. There are three tools used to measure major crime in the United States: Uniform Crime Reports, National Crime Victimization Survey and the National Incident Based Reporting System- which is currently being tested to replace the Uniform Crime Reports. Although there different tools used to measure crime, crime rates can be deceiving. Each different tool reports a different type of rate, crime rates, arrest rates, clearance rates and recidivism rates. The Uniform Crime Report is used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as an annual publication that summarizes the rate of reported crimes through the United States. It reports on the eight major crimes: Murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny theft, auto theft and arson. Different law enforcement agencies report to this data voluntary on a monthly basis to the FBI. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation website, “The Uniform Crime Reporting Program has been the starting place for law enforcement executives, students of criminal justice, researchers, members of the media, and the public at large seeking information on crime in the nation. The program was conceived in 1929 by the International Association...

Words: 929 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Business Idea

...journal 1) Sensor Agriculture Sentence 1 For farmers, who want to monitor their plant growth performance information and climate condition, the sensor agriculture is a product that has ability to collect information and send it back to the farmer as notification about the condition of their plants. Sentence 2 Unlike others sensor agriculture, this product not just predicting frost and heat even that connected to sensor measuring solar radiation, air temperature, soil moisture, soil temperature and an infrared sensor which measures canopy temperature but it also will sent the notification through via message about the condition of their plantation if the farmer are not at their farm without need to monitor daily and the farm can monitor their sensor agriculture condition or ability due to the technical problems. 2) Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation Sentence 1 For slipped disk patient, who will help the slipped disk patient instant or prolonged relief by electrodes are placed on the surface of the skin, above the overactive nerves, the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a product that will help the slipped disk patient instant or prolonged relief through the release of endorphins and the control of nerves. Sentences 2 Unlike others transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, this product are easy to carry by helps the slipped disk patient to have their treatment anywhere and anytime without feel ashamed in front of...

Words: 1696 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Ethics

...philosophical point of view, place their prospective on this issue. Both the theories of Mills and that of Kant permit the death penalty to be a morally permissible punishment. They do this, however, according to very different reasoning. Kant believes that juridical punishment can never be administered merely as a means for promoting an other good but must, in all cases, be imposed only because the individual on whom it is inflicted has committed a crime. Kant was long considered to be an idealist of the retributivist theory of punishment. While he does claim that the only proper justification of punishment is guilt for a crime, he does not limit the usefulness of punishment to retributivist matters. Punishment can have, as its justification, only the guilt of the criminal. Criminals must pay for their crimes, otherwise an injustice has occurred. Retributivist theory holds not only that criminal guilt is required for punishment, but that the appropriate type and amount of punishment is also determined by the crime itself. Kant believes that one man ought never to be dealt with merely as a means subservient to the purpose of another, nor be mixed up with the subjects of real right. Against such treatment, his inborn personality has a right to protect him, even though he may be condemned to lose his civil personality. He must first be found guilty and punishable, before there can be any thought of drawing...

Words: 850 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Me and My People

...rules in the first place. Empirical Science is based purely around observation and measurement, and the vast majority of research involves some type of practical experimentation. This can be anything, from measuring the Doppler Shift of a distant galaxy to handing out questionnaires in a shopping center. This may sound obvious, but this distinction stems back to the time of the Ancient Greek Philosophers. Cutting a long story short, Plato believed that all knowledge could be reasoned; Aristotle that knowledge relied upon empirical observation and measurement. This does bring up one interesting anomaly. Strictly speaking, the great physicists, such as Einstein and Stephen Hawking, are not scientists. They generate sweeping and elegant theories and mathematical models to describe the universe and the very nature of time, but measure nothing. In reality, they are mathematicians, occupying their own particular niche, and they should properly be referred to as theoreticians. Still, they are still commonly referred to as scientists and do touch upon the scientific method in that any theory they have can be destroyed by a single scrap of empirical evidence. The Scientific Method Relies Upon Data The scientific method uses some type of measurement to analyze results, feeding these findings back into theories of what we know about the world. There are two major ways of obtaining data, through measurement and...

Words: 5706 - Pages: 23

Premium Essay

Police Quotas

...Police Quotas/Production Goals Outline 1. What is it? I.intro From corporate boardrooms to elementary school classrooms, performance measurement is everywhere. Our children are required to take standardized tests designed to ensure that school performance is up to snuff. With performance measurement appearing in such a diverse array of organizational settings, it is not surprising that it is now becoming a hot topic in policing. http://www.calea.org/calea-update-magazine/issue-83/measuring-performance-law-enforcement-agencies-part-1of-2-oart-articl * Police quotas also known as production goals are the minimal amount of arrests and/or summons the police are required to give out within a monthly basis. 2. How is it used in policing? * Production goals are used to measure performance in law enforcement agencies. * Unlike arrests, there are no national data on citations issued by police agencies. Police departments traditionally maintain their own records on citations and have historically paid close attention to citation productivity. Citations are one of the basic outputs of police agencies, used much more numerously than arrests. Of the estimated 19.3 million drivers who were pulled over by police at least one time in 1999, about 54% received a traffic citation, about 26% received a warning, and only about 3% were arrested.[48] Research has shown that there is substantial interagency variation in traffic citations for moving violations.[49] Traffic...

Words: 897 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Crime And American Dream Analysis

...By this reaction paper I would like to continue our discussion after the presentation of the second chapter of « Crime and American Dream » with Tami Miller, using the reading of the « Crime and American Dream », the first two Chapters. After the reading of the two lasts weeks, of corse between all the reader books, I was mostly influencer by Messner and Rosenfels « Crime and American Dream », not because the authors approach the very popular in US but also worldwide task of the American Dream, which can lead people to achieve their most highly estimated and expected goals but because, I do believe that authors’ statistical data seems to be more real and estimations more correct. Despite of the reading of a new topics, I still have the same question regarding: What is crime and how we can estimate if an act is a...

Words: 1177 - Pages: 5