Consider largest contributing factor to the dark figure

Reference no: EM133469667

Case Study: In her article, "The Dark Figure of British Crime", Claire Berlinski (2009) writes the following:

The problem [with the accuracy of crime statistics] was first described in the 1830s by Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian mathematician and sociologist and the founder of modern scientific statistics. The real crime rate, which he called the "dark figure of crime," could not be revealed by official statistics, he argued: "Our observations can only refer to a certain number of known and tried offenders out of the unknown sum total of crimes committed. Since this sum total of crimes committed will probably ever continue unknown, all the reasoning of which it is the basis will be more or less defective."
Berlinski further outlined what she finds to be the reasons for why some crime is left unaccounted for. The following are a few of her key points:

People may be unaware that a crime has been committed because they view it as normal or trivial behavior.
Victims are unaware that they have been victimized - either because of the nature of the crime, such as fraud, or because the victims are drunk, mentally ill, or otherwise incapable of understanding what has happened.
Victims recognize that a crime has been committed and do not report it.
Victims might not speak the language well enough to explain what happened to them.
Victims might fear reprisals.
Victims might feel no confidence in the police and see reporting a crime as pointless.
The police conclude that there is insufficient evidence to believe the crime report.
Poorly performing police departments have an incentive to stop recording crimes: It makes them look more successful than they are.

Using the library, Internet, and other resources, research applicable trend analysis reports and examples to support your response to the following question:

Question 1: Which of the arguments above do you consider largest contributing factor to the dark figure of crime? In other words, which one do you believe to be of most concern for crime analysts and the degree of accuracy to which their statistical crime analyses concludes?

Reference no: EM133469667

Questions Cloud

What are three tactics she might consider : MKT6250 Healthcare Marketing- What are three possible approaches this group might consider? What are three tactics she might consider?

Critically reflect on your philosophy : TCHR5009 Theory to Practice - Education and Care for Infants and Toddlers - Develop and/or refine your professional philosophy statement for working

What parts of rollins approach to developing the campaign : MKT6250 Marketing Management- What parts of Rollins approach to developing this campaign could have been improved? Was this an appropriate emotion to use?

How discretion is influenced by an agency culture : how discretion is influenced by an agency's culture. You will now apply this knowledge to the topic of domestic violence. This information will help you prepare

Consider largest contributing factor to the dark figure : Which of the arguments above do you consider largest contributing factor to the dark figure of crime? In other words, which one do you believe to be of most

Examine manner which companys supplier code of conduct helps : Examine the manner in which your company's Supplier Code of Conduct helps the organization operate as a socially responsible organization.

What is branch plant economy : What is a "branch plant economy," and what are some of the political implications of a Canada as a branch plant economy?

What type of data are held in the database : What agency runs the database - What type of data are held in the database - Brief description of how the database supports law enforcement/corrections

American constitution to ship and compass : Why did Frederick Douglass compare the American government and the American Constitution to a ship and a compass?

User Account

All Pages