Evaluation of measuring crime

Question 1

How are official statistics unreliable?

Answer 1

they underestimate the true extent of a crime

Question 2

What percent of crimes are included in official statistics?

Answer 2

25%

Question 3

What percent makes up the dark figure of crime?

Answer 3

75%

Question 4

What did Farrington and Dowds find?

Answer 4

police in Nottinghamshire were more likely than other areas to record thefts of under £10

Question 5

What are victim surveys more likely to include?

Answer 5

crimes that were not reported to the police and therefore are more accurate

Question 6

What did 2006-2007 official statistics say compared to victim surveys?

Answer 6

they said a 2% decrease in crime where as victim surveys showed a 3% increase

Question 7

Why might telescoping occur in victim surveys?

Answer 7

victims may misremember and this may distort the figures

Question 8

Main strength of offender surveys?

Answer 8

they provide insight into how many people are responsible for certain offences

Question 9

What might offenders want to do in offender surveys?

Answer 9

conceal/exaggerate offences

Question 10

What do the parties in power state?

Answer 10

that there is a reduction in crime

Question 11

What do the parties not in power state?

Answer 11

there is an increase in crime and use figures