Chapter 2 Flashcards
The Crime Picture
Two major sources of crime statistics
–Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR/NIBRS) Program run by the FBI
–National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) run by the Bureau of Justice Statistics
Crime clock includes two categories of offenses:
–Violent crimes: murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault
–Property crimes: burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, burglary, and arson
Clearance rate
–Proportion of reported crimes that have been “solved”
–Generally based on arrests
-only way a crime can be cleared is if someone is arrested
Murder
- The unlawful killing of a human being
* Smallest numerical category in Part I offenses but has highest clearance rate
Multiple Murders
–Spree killings
–Mass murder
–Serial murder
Rape
Unlawful sexual intercourse achieved through force and without consent
Robbery
The unlawful taking or attempted taking of property that is in the immediate possession of another by force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.
The two types of aggravated assault
–Simple (misdemeanor)
–Aggravated (felony) – involves weapon or victim requires medical assistance
Burglary
•The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft
•Considered a property crime although it may involve personal confrontation
-Usually in a building or car
Larceny-Theft
- The unlawful taking or attempted taking of property from the possession of another
- Most frequently reported Part I offense but may also be the most underreported crime category
- Identity theft is special kind of larceny and is now a federal crime
Motor Vehicle Theft
- Includes theft of self-propelled vehicles that run on the ground and not on rails
- Highly reported because most insurance companies require police reports before reimbursing car owners
- Low clearance rate
- Carjacking involves violence
Arson
•Intentional or attempted burning of property
The National Crime Victimization Survey
- Based on victim self-reports
- First conducted in 1972
- Designed to uncover information on the dark figure of crime – crimes that are not reported to the police
- Early data showed that crimes of all types were more prevalent that UCR statistics indicated
- Involves a survey of a nationally representative sample of about 90,000 households – only individuals aged 12+ are interviewed
- Collects data on crimes against individuals and households
- Definitions similar to those used by UCR/NIBRS
Concerns of the UCR
–Not all victims report crime
–Some crime types rarely reported
–Victim reports may be inaccurate
–High-tech and computer crime may be underrepresented
–Reports filtered through multiple levels
–Only includes data creators considered appropriate
Concerns of the NCVS
–Responses subjective
–Some victims less willing to respond
–Victims may be afraid to respond or may invent victimizations
–Only includes data creators considered appropriate
Crime Typology
–A classification of crimes along a particular dimension
–Used in the study and description of criminal behavior
–Social relevance is a central distinguishing feature of any meaningful typology
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- Increased grants for battered women’s shelters
- Encouraged pro-arrest policies in cases of domestic abuse
- Provided for creation of national domestic-violence hotline
- Recent reauthorizations included new provisions–Protections for prospective foreign brides immigrating to the U.S.–Protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans
Crime against the Elderly
- Criminal victimization declines with age
- Older people (65+) generally experience the lowest rate of victimization of any age group
- The elderly face risk of abuse at the hands of caregivers
- More often targeted by con artists
Hate Crime
- A criminal offense motivated by the offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin
- Most motivated by racial bias
- May also include intimidation such as vandalism, assault, etc.
Identification Doctrine
Corporations can be treated as separate legal entities and convicted of crimes.
Corporation Crime
A violation of criminal statute by a corporate entity or by its executives, employees, or agents for the benefit of the corporation.
White-Collar Crime
Financially motivated nonviolent crime committed by business and government professionals.
Organized Crime
The unlawful activities of the members of a highly organized, disciplined association engaged in supplying illegal goods or services.
Transnational Organized Crime
Unlawful activity undertaken and supported by organized criminal groups operating across national boundaries.
