Describe 3 methods used to compile data on crime.

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A)         Describe 3 methods used to compile data on crime

There are lots of ways to measure crime.  In 1700’s statistics came from courts, but this

meant that only the cases that reached court were recorded.  Crime statistics have their uses

that have been identified by Wolfgang (1971).  Their main use is that they measure the

volume of crime in a certain area and also measures how effective a preventative measure

has been in reducing crime.  Statistics also can detect changes in rates of crime and provide

valuable evidence for backing up ideas for policy decisions.  

There are methods of collecting data from different agents of a crime to provide more

information and data.  The police is the most obvious agent of collecting data on crime.  The

statistics the police gather are published in the Home Office.  This gives an overall number of

crimes and types of crimes recorded in England and Wales.  When a crime is reported the

police record it on their files.  

Offender surveys are the second method of collecting data, the most common method is that

a sample is selected based usually on age or the geographical area.  The sample is asked if

they have committed detected or undetected crimes.  This information is then gathered by

using a questionnaire or carrying out an interview which is carried out with the offender or

someone who knows him/her.  An example of this type of study was carried out on theft by

Belson (1975), he carried out interviews with 1,445 boys aged between 13-16 years.  They

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were selected randomly from a large sample of London households.  The results showed

that most of the boys had committed an offence for which if they had been caught the would

have been liable for prosecution.  70% had stolen from a shop and 17% had stolen from

private premises.  Instead of interview's self report studies are used, this is a questionnaire

that a person fills in about the crimes he/she has committed.  They show the true level of

crime is higher than the reported level of crime.  

Offender surveys are not used that ...

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