NCJ Number
335
Journal
Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science Volume: 374 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1967) Pages: 16-33
Date Published
1967
Length
18 pages
Annotation
PROBLEMS OF SAMPLE SURVEYS AND USING THIS METHOD FOR KNOWLEDGE REGARDING THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME.
Abstract
A NATIONAL SURVEY AND INTENSIVE SURVEYS IN THREE CITIES WERE MADE FOR THE PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. THE NATIONAL CRIME COMMISSION, TO ASSESS CRIME INCIDENCE BY ASKING RANDOM SAMPLES OF THE PUBLIC WHETHER THEY HAD BEEN VICTIMIZED BY CRIME. THE SURVEYS FOUND VICTIMIZATION TO BE FAR MORE COMMON THAN SUGGESTED BY NATIONAL OR LOCAL POLICE STATISTICS. THE IMMEDIATE DATA FROM A VICTIM SURVEY DIFFER IN FORM FROM POLICE AND OTHER AGENCY STATISTICS. THIS PRESENTS PROBLEMS FOR COMPARISON WITH POLICE STATISTICS. COMPARISONS SUGGEST THAT A LARGE VOLUME OF CITIZEN COMPLAINTS TO THE POLICE ARE NOT REFLECTED IN PUBLISHED OFFENSE STATISTICS. THE REPORT INCLUDES TABLES ON VICTIMIZATION RATES FROM SURVEYS DURING 1965-1966 AND COMPARISONS WITH POLICE STATISTICS AND THE UNIFORM CRIME REPORT (UCR). VICTIMIZATION RATES ARE HIGHER THAN OFFENSE RATES, IN THAT MORE THAN ONE PERSON IS AFFECTED BY THE MAJORITY OF OFFENSES. OFFENSE STATISTICS DO NOT DISCLOSE THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS IN CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY AND PERSON OFFENSES, OR THE RATIO OF VICTIMS TO POPULATION.