Defining And Measuring Crime

Question 1

What are 3 uses of crime victimisation surveys?

Answer 1

1. capture representation sample to make judgments
2. insight into incidence rates about victimisation
3. bypasses jurisdictional variations by providing a common definition

Question 2

What are 3 uses of police data?

Answer 2

1. useful insight into relative trends over time
2. definitions and reporting practices differ
3. unofficial/informal action taken

Question 3

What are the 4 reasons why crime is measured?

Answer 3

1. Measure moral health of nations/cities/regions
2. Evaluate effectiveness of machinery of social control
3. Estimate the risk of becoming a victim
4. Development/testing of criminological theories

Question 4

What are 5 ways crime is counted?

Answer 4

1. Legislators definition
2. Individuals reporting
3. Police judgement/decision
4. Offender pleading guilty/innocent
5. Court of appeal