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Questions and Answers
What is the duration a household remains in the NCVS sample?
What is the duration a household remains in the NCVS sample?
- One year
- Three years (correct)
- Five years
- Two years
Which of the following crimes is NOT included in the Part I offenses defined by the FBI?
Which of the following crimes is NOT included in the Part I offenses defined by the FBI?
- Embezzlement (correct)
- Robbery
- Motor vehicle theft
- Burglary
Which of the following is a reason victims may choose not to report crimes?
Which of the following is a reason victims may choose not to report crimes?
- Lack of awareness about the crime
- Desire for privacy (correct)
- Fear of retaliation (correct)
- Inability to recall the incident
What kind of information does the NCVS specifically collect regarding offenders?
What kind of information does the NCVS specifically collect regarding offenders?
Among the listed options, which crime involves the unlawful taking of property without force?
Among the listed options, which crime involves the unlawful taking of property without force?
What does the term 'Dark Figure of Crime' refer to?
What does the term 'Dark Figure of Crime' refer to?
Which offense is classified under aggravated assault according to FBI definitions?
Which offense is classified under aggravated assault according to FBI definitions?
Which of the following groups is primarily responsible for conducting the NCVS interviews?
Which of the following groups is primarily responsible for conducting the NCVS interviews?
What type of crime is arson classified as?
What type of crime is arson classified as?
Which one of the following is an excluded factor in the definition of criminal homicide?
Which one of the following is an excluded factor in the definition of criminal homicide?
What type of offenses do not result in any period of incarceration but rather are punished with only a fine?
What type of offenses do not result in any period of incarceration but rather are punished with only a fine?
Which organization compiles crime data from law enforcement agencies into a report?
Which organization compiles crime data from law enforcement agencies into a report?
What is a major criticism of the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR)?
What is a major criticism of the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR)?
What is the purpose of the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)?
What is the purpose of the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)?
What is referred to as the 'dark figure of crime'?
What is referred to as the 'dark figure of crime'?
Which survey provides detailed information on the frequency and nature of crimes, including those not reported to law enforcement?
Which survey provides detailed information on the frequency and nature of crimes, including those not reported to law enforcement?
What key categories does the NIBRS collect data on?
What key categories does the NIBRS collect data on?
What problem persists in the implementation of the NIBRS?
What problem persists in the implementation of the NIBRS?
Which of the following is an important benefit of using NIBRS data?
Which of the following is an important benefit of using NIBRS data?
Which of the following types of crimes does the National Crime Victimization Survey NOT measure?
Which of the following types of crimes does the National Crime Victimization Survey NOT measure?
What does the term 'mala in se' refer to?
What does the term 'mala in se' refer to?
Which of the following best describes a felony?
Which of the following best describes a felony?
In terms of criminal classifications, what is a common characteristic of misdemeanors?
In terms of criminal classifications, what is a common characteristic of misdemeanors?
Which statement about felonies and misdemeanors is true?
Which statement about felonies and misdemeanors is true?
What role does the government play in prosecutions of crimes?
What role does the government play in prosecutions of crimes?
Which of the following offenses is most likely classified as a misdemeanor?
Which of the following offenses is most likely classified as a misdemeanor?
What is the main difference between 'mala in se' and 'mala prohibita' offenses?
What is the main difference between 'mala in se' and 'mala prohibita' offenses?
Which is a common method of punishment for felonies?
Which is a common method of punishment for felonies?
Which of the following is an example of a crime that can be both a misdemeanor and a felony?
Which of the following is an example of a crime that can be both a misdemeanor and a felony?
What term is used for a person convicted of a misdemeanor?
What term is used for a person convicted of a misdemeanor?
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Study Notes
Crime Definition and Legal Framework
- A crime is an act or omission that is prohibited by law, with specified punishments.
- Common punishments in the U.S. include fines and imprisonment.
- Prosecutions are initiated by the government, representing the community's interests.
- Crimes categorized as mala in se are inherently wrong (e.g., murder, rape), while mala prohibita are wrong due to legal prohibition (e.g., gambling).
Classification of Crimes
- Crimes are divided by seriousness:
- Misdemeanors: Less serious, punishable by fines and up to one year in jail.
- Felonies: More serious, punishable by imprisonment over one year or death.
- Historical origins trace back to Common Law of England.
- Examples of misdemeanors include petty theft and public intoxication, while felonies include murder and robbery.
- Some offenses can vary in classification based on circumstances (e.g., battery).
Crime Measurement and Data Collection
- Accurate crime statistics are vital for understanding crime prevalence and trends.
- The FBI's Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) compile data from over 16,000 law enforcement agencies.
- UCR limitations: only includes reported crimes, counts the most serious in series, and excludes certain crimes like white-collar offenses.
- The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) enhances data collection by reporting on individual incidents within 22 offense categories.
Benefits and Challenges of NIBRS
- Provides detailed crime information, aiding in resource allocation and crime prevention strategies.
- Helps identify patterns in criminal behavior, enabling collaborative solutions across agencies.
- Current limitations include non-universal implementation among law enforcement agencies.
Dark Figure of Crime
- Not all crimes are reported or documented; a significant number go unrecognized (e.g., nearly half of rapes).
- The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) provides insights into crime incidents and victims beyond police reports.
- NCVS collects data on various crimes and victims’ demographics, providing broader context for crime analysis.
FBI Index Crimes
- Part I offenses (Index Crimes) are categorized as serious:
- Criminal Homicide: Intentional killing, excluding negligence and accidents.
- Forcible Rape: Non-consensual sexual intercourse, excluding statutory offenses.
- Robbery: Taking property from a person through force or threat.
- Aggravated Assault: Severe bodily injury attacks, typically involving a weapon.
- Burglary: Unlawful entry to commit theft or felony.
- Larceny-theft: Theft without violence, encompasses various forms of stealing.
- Motor Vehicle Theft: Theft of self-propelled vehicles.
- Arson: Malicious burning of property.
Key Terms
- Aggravated Assault, Arson, Burglary, Criminal Homicide, Dark Figure of Crime, Felon, Forcible Rape, Index Offenses, Larceny-theft, Mala In Se, Mala Prohibita, Misdemeanant, Motor Vehicle Theft, National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), Omission, Rate, Robbery, U.S. Census Bureau, Uniform Crime Reports (UCR), Victimless Crime, Violation.
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