Uniform Crime Report (UCR)
large database complied by the FBI of crimes reported and arrests made each year throughout the U.S. ; reflects raw numbers, rate per 100,00; percent changes over time
National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS)
system that allows local police to enter detailed incidents and arrests
Part I Crimes (Eight)
4 person, 4 property; most serious offenses; murder, rape, assault, robbery, burglary, arson, motor vehicle theft
Part II Crimes
mostly all else; drug offenses, sex crimes and vandalism among others
Dark Figure
unknown crime
National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
justice department, census; annual survey; victims, offenders and crimes
Self Report Surveys
anonymous groups; attitudes, values and behaviors
Crime Trends
weather & time of month, most = summer months; kids out of school, people outdoors, homes vulnerable, exception robberies & murders December January; crime rates higher on 1st day of month (paycheck); crime rises until 85 degrees; stress caused by heat
Regional Differences
areas with numerous resorts have high crime large urban areas also have high crime rates
Aging Out
phrase used to express the fact that people commit less crime as they mature
Early Onset
view that repeat offenders begin their criminal careers at a very young age (persistence, desistance)
Chicago School
found that crime was greatly reduced in the suburb area of Chicago as opposed to the city; concentric circles
Demographics
crime is a young mans game
Age & Biology
hormonal
Neurotransmitters
a chemical substance such as serotonin and dopamine that transmits nerve impulses from one neuron to another
Gender
5 possible reasons;
1. hormonal differences
2. cognitive differences
-better verbal abilities
-talk out of problems
3. socialization differences
-socialized
-less aggressive
-better supervised
4. social/political differences
-females lack opportunity
-more likely to stay home w/kids
5. race
-strong correlate of prosecution
-young minority males-disproportionate to population
-racial threat theory
-differences in arrest rates
-likelihood of arrest and conviction
Liberal Feminist Theory
a view of crime that suggests that the social and economic role of women in society controls crime
Chronic Offenders (career criminals)
the small group of persistent offenders who account for a majority of all criminal offenses
Three Strikes Policies
laws that require offenders to serve life in prison after they are convicted of their third felony offense
Socioeconomic Status
POOR!
Instrumental Crimes
offenses designed to improve the financial or social position of the criminal
Expressive Crimes
offenses committed not for profit or gain but to vent rage, anger, or frustration
Victimology
the study of the victims role in criminal events
Victimologists
criminologists who focus on the victims of crime
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
psychological reaction to a highly stressful event; symptoms include depression, anxiety, flashbacks and recurring nightmares
Outcomes of Victimization
blaming the victim, fear, long term stress
Cycle of Violence
antisocial behavior; victims of crime, especially victims of childhood abuse, are more likely to commit crimes themselves
Deviant Place Theory
the view that victimization is primarily a function of where people live
Routine Activities Theory
the view that victimization results from the interaction of three everyday factors; the availability of suitable targets the absence of capable guardians and the presence of motivated offenders
Lifestyle Theories
high risk life styles, staying out late, drinking, associating with delinquent peers or a gang
Suitable Targets
objects of crime (persons or property) that are attractive and readily available
Capable Guardians
effective deterrents to crime, such as police or watchful neighbors
Motivated Offenders
people willing and able to commit crimes
Four Basic Concepts of the Routine Activities Theory & the Lifestyle Theories
1. proximity to criminals
2. time of exposure to criminals
3. target attractiveness
4. guardianship
Five Predictions of the Routine Activities Theory & The Lifestyle Theories
people increase their victimization if they: 1. live in high crime areas, 2. go out late at night, 3. carry valuables, 4. engage in risky behavior, 5. are without family/friends to watch or help them
Victim Precipitation Theory
initiate victimization
Active Precipitation
use threats, fighting, words, attack first; abrasive, loud, obnoxious
Passive Precipitation
personal or social characteristics of victims that make them attractive targets for criminals such victims may unknowingly either threaten or encourage their attackers
Victim Characteristics
1. males = victims of violent crimes
2. females = more likely to be victimized by someone they know or intimate partner
-Age
1. young more likely to be victims than old because victim risks declines after age 25
2. elderly targeted = fraud & scams
-Race & Ethnicity
1. African Americans = violent crimes
-Marital Status
1. never married
2. higher rates of victimization than married
3. widows/widowers = have lowest victimization risk
Social Status
1. poor > to be victims of both violent and property crimes
2. homeless suffer higher rates of assault
3. wealthy > likely to experience personal theft
Chronic Victimization
target vulnerability. target appeal, target antagonism
Trends
most crimes are committed by a single offender over age 20 juveniles tend to co offend; crimes are interracial, substance abuse involved in 33% of violent crimes