Measuring Crime Pt.1 Flashcards
Criminology attempts to
Describe
Explain
Evaluate
Make Risk Assessments
Predict
How does Criminology attempt to describe
a census of community well being
How does Criminology attempt to Explain
test hypotheses
(Why someone is afraid, blaming)
Testing & sharing hypothesis
How does Criminology attempt to Evaluate
various policies related to crime and the CCJS ( Canadian Center for Justice Statistics)
USED to shape policies
How does Criminology attempt to make risk assessments
regarding the actual risk of victimization
Factors that increase risk
ex. Why are most opioids users mostly middle age men… because they use it for pain
How does Criminology attempt to Predict
which policies and/or practices will work?
through observation, hypothesis, data, and evaluation
In order for this to happen you need to have the most reliable information possible
What is the UCR system
The Uniform Crime Reporting (ucr) system
Relies on reports of crime by the police, since 1962.
To compare crime rates across countries.
General categories of the UCR:
1.Violent crime
2.Property crime
3.Other Criminal Code violations
give an definition of what is a violent crime
Victim is a person
give an definition of what is a property crime
Theft, damaging property, white collar crime
What is a UCR2 SURVEY
Same as UCR survey but with more accuracy regarding information of the crime (gender, crime, age, etc.)
When was the new UCR2 survey introduced
1988
Do police submit UCR or UCR2 reports
Both
How does the UCR2 classify incidents
MSO: most serious offence (which ever offense has the higher prison sentence)
- Less serious crimes are undercounted
ex. Stabbing + theft = stabbing is recorded for record ( but offender is still charged for both crimes)
What is the formula for Crime Rate Calculation
number of police-reported crime
x 100,000
÷ population
What is the Police-Reported Crime Severity Index (prcsi)
- 2009
- tracks changes in the severity of police-reported crime.
- Each type of offence is assigned a weight based on sentences handed down by courts
What is the Limitations of Official Statistics
1) Legal definitions of crime vary over time.
ex. 1983 - Rape laws were broadened to Sexual Assault Laws.
Back then rape laws had a narrow definition and were only limited to penetration that didn’t come from your husband
2) Not all crimes get reported
3) Limited police resource means only so much crime is reported
What is police discretion
The power/ right to decide or act according to ones own judgement, freedom of judgement or choice
