Topic 3 - statistical evidence + crime? Flashcards
Introduction?
Most crime remains hidden, referred to as the dark figure of crime. Victims may not realize a crime has occurred, such as losing a phone. Sociologists rely on statistics to gather crime data, but these figures are often estimates and flawed methodologically. Despite these limitations, combining police reports, government data, self-reports, and victimization studies allows for the identification of patterns and trends in crime and conviction rates.
Official statistics on crime?
Police and other agencies, such as social services and the prison system, maintain records on crime, including conviction rates and demographic information. This data, accessible online, helps identify patterns and trends, such as the decrease in property crime since the mid-1990s. Although useful for researchers, crime statistics are socially constructed and may be influenced by various social factors affecting their reliability and validity. While knowledge of known crimes is extensive, the dark figure of crime remains difficult to explore in depth.
The collection of data?
Data collection aims to evaluate the performance of social agencies like the police and assess whether they meet targets. The government is judged on its ability to deliver results based on statistical evidence. The Home Office gathers data, but its priorities may differ from individual researchers. For instance, a planned funding overhaul for police forces in 2015 was delayed due to statistical errors that could impact poorer areas. Additionally, certain crimes, like credit card fraud, may not be reflected in official data, raising concerns about the reliability and completeness of crime statistics.
Reporting crime?
Not all crimes are reported to the police. While many car thefts are reported for insurance purposes, only about 15% of sexual violence cases are reported, often due to fear. Personal crimes, such as fraud or abuse, are frequently underreported because victims may not realize they have been victimized. Racial abuse victims may also refrain from reporting, believing police inaction is likely, a sentiment supported by the McPherson report on institutional racism in the Metropolitan Police. Many victims of hate crimes feel dismissed (MCAP, 2013). Additionally, the Offending, Crime, and Justice Survey shows that self-reported drug abuse and dealing are significantly underreported, indicating serious issues with the representativeness of official crime statistics.
Recording of data?
Many minor incidents are reported to the police, but officers may decide not to record them in official crime statistics. For instance, cases of vandalism or underage drinking might not be classified as criminal. A 2014 report revealed that 1 in 5 crimes were unrecorded, with over a third of violent crimes and a quarter of sexual assaults overlooked. Police attributed this to heavy workloads and excessive performance targets. The 2015 inquiry into the Rochdale child abuse cases criticized the police for underreporting crimes against vulnerable children and recommended that officers inform victims about decisions not to record incidents, which often left victims unaware that their cases were not being investigated.
Victim surveys?
Victim surveys complement official statistics by revealing unreported and unrecorded crimes. They rely on the assumption that victims recognize and accurately recall their experiences. Many sociologists view victim surveys, such as the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), which began in 1982, as reliable indicators of crime. Approximately 3,035 individuals, including 3,000 children aged 10-15, are interviewed annually, excluding victimless crimes like drug abuse. The survey allows sensitive responses to be given privately, and it is regularly updated to include new crime types, like cybercrime. It also gauges public confidence in the police. The CSEW is considered more robust than official statistics because it is unaffected by police reporting practices, can inform policy decisions, and includes demographic data.
Weaknesses of the survey?
Victim surveys exclude the homeless and those in institutions, potentially leading to unrepresentative results. A 2004 study by the Crisis Homelessness charity found that over 50% of 336 homeless individuals in London, Oxford, and Cambridge had been victims of crime.
Self report study?
Self-report studies, though less common, gather data on individuals’ criminal activities. The Offending Crime and Justice Survey (OCJS), conducted from 2003 to 2006, explored topics like repeat offending and substance abuse. In 2004, 5,000 young people aged 10 to 25 were interviewed, with sensitive questions answered privately using headphones and keyboards. These surveys can reveal unexpected insights into offending behaviour. For example, Short and Nye (1957) found no correlation between social class and offending, despite court data indicating that poorer individuals were more frequently convicted and harshly treated by the criminal justice system.
Advantages of the self-report study?
Official court data is likely biased and unrepresentative, as not all offenders are prosecuted.
These data reveal insights about those who evade capture.
Research, such as Farrington (1992), explores the development of criminal careers among some offenders.
Self-report studies help assess the effectiveness of policy and prevention programs.
Disadvantages of the self-report study?
Respondents may be untruthful for various reasons, and those who offend most are often the least likely to participate in surveys. Sample sizes tend to be small and may focus primarily on offenders, leading to unrepresentative results. Riley and Shaw (1985) found that many parents declined to allow their children to participate. While people may confess to minor crimes, they are generally reluctant to admit serious offenses, even in anonymous studies.
