Measuring Crime Research Paper
Measuring Crime Paper
Tina McCammon
Eileen K. Ritter
Aaron Gutterman
Traniecsia Walker
CJA/204
June 30, 2014
Carlos Zuniga
Measuring Crime Paper
This paper will discuss the different methodology for measuring crime. The topics include the tools used to measure crime and different reporting agencies, purpose and goals. Crime rates, arrest rates, clearance rates, and recidivism rates are measured and categorized for statistical data. The paper will also discuss inaccuracies in data and increase in crime rates throughout the years based on the finding of the interactive learning modules provided for this class. When concluding, there will be a better understanding of how studying and measuring of crime can help combat crime.
Measuring …show more content…
Each of them has kind of the same purposes of concluding the trends in different crimes and suggesting the attention of issues. Even though, those types of crime measurement all have the similar focus, the result varies a great bit between them. While reading this, keep in mind each type of measurements are ran by different groups that hold their own ways of gathering information. It is often known that in the United States, the Uniform Crime Report (UCR) is the most relied upon. Many believe the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) gathers all their information from local law enforcement agencies around the world. Results come from recorded police reports which collect data on about 95% of the population (appendix table 2 in Criminal Victimization, 2012, NCJ 243389, October 2013). The UCR breaks down crimes into Part One and Part Two offenses. Part One offenses include eight crimes being either violent or property offenses (which are the more serious crimes). Meanwhile, Part Two offenses include all other minor crimes except for traffic …show more content…
There are many variables that occur to determine the changes in crime rates such as new laws or procedural changes. One must be a critical thinker in order to determine accurate criminal statistics. Arrest rates, clearance rates, and recidivism rates are all considered when figuring out the rates of crime, so one must be specific when figuring out what to look for. For instance with arrest rates, crime statistics takes into consideration how many arrests are made, but not necessarily include whether or not the alleged offender was booked. Clearance rates also need to be considered due to the amount of crimes that are cleared or solved. Another statistic to consider is recidivism rates. Recidivism rates need to be considered when figuring out accurate crime rates as well, due to the amount of offenders that may be incarcerated multiple times. With all of these factors, you can see how crime rates can definitely be deceiving. Another way crime rates can be deceiving are when crimes are made but are not reported. These crimes, along with crimes that were committed and reported but arrests were not made, are all deceiving to the actual facts of determining crime
Tina McCammon
Eileen K. Ritter
Aaron Gutterman
Traniecsia Walker
CJA/204
June 30, 2014
Carlos Zuniga
Measuring Crime Paper
This paper will discuss the different methodology for measuring crime. The topics include the tools used to measure crime and different reporting agencies, purpose and goals. Crime rates, arrest rates, clearance rates, and recidivism rates are measured and categorized for statistical data. The paper will also discuss inaccuracies in data and increase in crime rates throughout the years based on the finding of the interactive learning modules provided for this class. When concluding, there will be a better understanding of how studying and measuring of crime can help combat crime.
Measuring …show more content…
Each of them has kind of the same purposes of concluding the trends in different crimes and suggesting the attention of issues. Even though, those types of crime measurement all have the similar focus, the result varies a great bit between them. While reading this, keep in mind each type of measurements are ran by different groups that hold their own ways of gathering information. It is often known that in the United States, the Uniform Crime Report (UCR) is the most relied upon. Many believe the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) gathers all their information from local law enforcement agencies around the world. Results come from recorded police reports which collect data on about 95% of the population (appendix table 2 in Criminal Victimization, 2012, NCJ 243389, October 2013). The UCR breaks down crimes into Part One and Part Two offenses. Part One offenses include eight crimes being either violent or property offenses (which are the more serious crimes). Meanwhile, Part Two offenses include all other minor crimes except for traffic …show more content…
There are many variables that occur to determine the changes in crime rates such as new laws or procedural changes. One must be a critical thinker in order to determine accurate criminal statistics. Arrest rates, clearance rates, and recidivism rates are all considered when figuring out the rates of crime, so one must be specific when figuring out what to look for. For instance with arrest rates, crime statistics takes into consideration how many arrests are made, but not necessarily include whether or not the alleged offender was booked. Clearance rates also need to be considered due to the amount of crimes that are cleared or solved. Another statistic to consider is recidivism rates. Recidivism rates need to be considered when figuring out accurate crime rates as well, due to the amount of offenders that may be incarcerated multiple times. With all of these factors, you can see how crime rates can definitely be deceiving. Another way crime rates can be deceiving are when crimes are made but are not reported. These crimes, along with crimes that were committed and reported but arrests were not made, are all deceiving to the actual facts of determining crime