Deck 3: Mehuring Crime and Crime Theory

Question 1

Of what value are the UCR, NCVS, and self-report studies? What are their strengths and weaknesses?

Answer 1

Uniform crime report (UCR):
Uniform crime report is the most commonly used source to obtain crime data. It is a statewide joint effort of many cities, states, federal, universities, and various other law implementation organizations. Almost all the law implementation organizations of the state contribute information to the uniform crime report. The uniform crime report publishes data relating to the following facts:
• Number of arrests
• Number of crimes happened in the state
• Number of persons arrested for crimes
National crime victimization survey (NCVS):
This survey conducts enquiries and experiences of victims directly involved in the crime. National crime victimization survey is one of the most biggest and enduring survey in the country. This survey provides crime data relating to household and personal crimes. Household crimes such as theft and burglary enter the database of NCVS.
Self-report studies:
This report directly conducts enquiries of the people to know their personal experiences in the crime. This report collects data relating to a specific period. Most of the criminologists use self-report studies to understand the nature and the situation of crimes.
Advantages of UCR:
• Uniform crime report is the most commonly used source to obtain crime data.
• Almost all the law enforcement agencies of the state contribute information to the uniform crime report.
• It is a statewide joint effort of many cities, states, federal, universities, and various other law enforcement agencies.
Disadvantages of UCR:
• UCR reports only the most serious crimes committed by people.
• The UCR data tells the behavior of police rather than the crime.
Advantages of NCVS:
• This survey conducts enquiries to the victims directly involved in the crime and their experiences.
• This survey provides crime data relating to household and personal crimes.
• National crime victimization survey is one of the most biggest and enduring survey in the country
Disadvantages of NCVS:
The following are the disadvantages of NCVS,
• Sampling errors
• Errors of cheating
• Telescoping
• Memory errors
Advantages of self-reporting studies:
• This report directly conducts enquiries of the people to know their personal experiences in the crime.
• This report collects data relating to a specific period.
• Most of the criminologists use self-report studies to understand the nature and the situation of crimes.
Disadvantages of self-reporting studies:
• The survey does not report the method of data collection.
• It is not sure that the offenders had given true information.
Conclusion:
Uniform crime report is the most commonly used source to obtain crime data. National crime victimization survey is one of the most biggest and enduring survey in the country. Most of the criminologists use self-report studies to understand the nature and the situation of crimes.

Question 2

If you could use only one source of crime data on which to develop policies, would you choose the UCR, NCVS, or self-report surveys?

Answer 2

Uniform crime report (UCR):
Uniform crime report is the most commonly used source to obtain crime data. It is a statewide joint effort of many cities, states, federal, universities, and various other law implementation organisations. Almost all the law implementation organisations of the state contribute information to the uniform crime report.
National crime victimization survey (NCVS):
This survey conducts enquiries and experiences of victims directly involved in the crime. National crime victimization survey is one of the most biggest and enduring survey in the country. This survey provides crime data relating to household and personal crimes. Household crimes such as theft and burglary enter the database of NCVS.
Self-report studies:
This report directly conducts enquiries of the people to know their personal experiences in the crime. This report collects data relating to a specific period. Most of the criminologists use self-report studies to understand the nature and the situation of crimes.
The choice of Mr. X form UCR, NCVS, and self-report studies:
Mr. X would choose uniform crime report to develop policies on crime for the following advantages:
• Uniform crime report is the most commonly used source to obtain crime data.
• Almost all the law enforcement agencies of the state contribute information to the uniform crime report.
• It is a statewide joint effort of many cities, state, federal, universities, and various other law enforcement agencies.
Conclusion:
Uniform crime report is the most commonly used source to obtain crime data. National crime victimization survey is one of the most biggest and enduring survey in the country. Most of the criminologists use self-report studies to understand the nature and the situation of crimes.

Question 3

Should local and state police agencies be required to report crime data to the FBI?

Answer 3

The federal bureau of investigation (FBI):
The FBI is the domestic level intelligence and security service agency. The FBI serves as the principal law enforcement organization. FBI contains the crime database of organized and unorganized crime details.
The opinion of Mr. X regarding the reporting of details to FBI:
It is clear that FBI is one of the most important crime control organization. FBI contains large database of crimes and criminals. Hence, it becomes the foremost duty of the police agencies to report crime related news to the FBI.
Any details of criminals and crime should come to the knowledge of FBI. This will help to maintain security in the state. The state will control crime rates easily. Criminals cannot escape from the clutches of the state.
Conclusion:
The FBI is the domestic level intelligence and security service agency. The FBI serves as the principal law enforcement organization. FBI contains large database of crimes and criminals. Hence, it becomes the foremost duty of the police agencies to report crime related news to the FBI.

Question 4

What is the relationship between theory and crime control policies?

Question 5

Are people rational when they commit crime? What evidence supports your position?

Question 6

Is crime learned in the same way other behaviors are learned? If so, what are the implications of this idea for parenting and for a community's responsibility for crime?

Question 7

According to labeling theory, crime is a social construct. If this is true, should society assign labels to criminals in an attempt to control crime?

Question 8

What are the inherent flaws of conflict theories of crime? Are state legislatures likely to adopt their basic ideas? If not, of what value are such theories?