Measuring Crime Flashcards
Give reasons why it is important to measure crime
For trends or statistics and these statistics can then be used for implanting policies etc.
What is the primary source of crime statistics in Barbados?
The police crime bulletin and prison statistics
What is an indictable offense?
A crime that the prosecutor can charge by bringing evidence of it to the grand jury. They involve more serious cases.
What is a summary offense?
A criminal offence that is only triable (summarily) in the magistrates’ court.
What is attrition?
Attrition refers to the process whereby cases drop out of the criminal justice system at one of a number of potential points of exit from that system. Such points of exit could be located within the police service, Crown Prosecution Service or in court.
Give some issues with official statistics on crime
- Issues of discovery
- Issues of recording
- Issues of credibility of the victim
- Many crimes are unknown to the police
- Determining whether it is a ‘crime’ in the true sense of the word.
- Police may be too busy to do paperwork.
- They underestimate the number of crimes.
- Focus is on street crimes, less on white collar.
Are official statistics more valid indicators of the behavior of the police or offenders?
Behavior of the police
Does official data give information on the offender or victim?
No
Does official statistics give information on the details/circumstances surrounding the incident(s)?
No
How is the crime rate obtained?
By dividing the number of crimes in a given location by the population of that location and multiplying the result by 100,000
Give another source of crime data besides official statistics.
Victimization surveys
When did Barbados conduct its first victimization survey?
In 2001 called the Barbados Crime Survey
What is the name of Barbados’ first victimization survey?
The Barbados Crime Survey
When did victimization surveys begin in the USA?
In the early 1970s
How many victimization surveys have Barbados conducted so far?
Only one
