Defining and Measuring Crime

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Defining and Measuring Crime

Advantages

  • Victim Surveys : Greater deal of accuracy than OS - Less likely to conceal 'dark figure' - OS stated 2% decrease in crime in 2006/7 -BCS 3% increase
  • Offender Surveys : Insight of how many people are responsible - Group/individual

Disadvantages

  • Official Statistics : Unreliable -Significantly underestimate the true extent of crimes - Been suggested only 25% of crime is reported - 75% are 'dark figures' of crime
  • Official Statistics : Police priorities distort official statistics - Police in Nottinghamshire are more likely to report theft under £10 which spikes crime rates in the area
  • Victim Surveys : Rely on accurate recall - 'telescoping' - mis remembering date due to trauma - distorts figures
  • Offender Surveys : Unreliable - May conceal more serious crimes or exaggerate the number
  • Offender Surveys : Targeted sample - Over representation of certain crimes - Burglary - Ignores 'Middle-Class' crimes like fraud

Evaluation

Multidisciplinary approach : All have issues with reliability and validity. Must carefully scrutinise and interpret - best results is combination of all for greater insights to offending

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