---- ---------------

U.S. Department of Justice

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Reporting Crimes
to the Police
by Caroline Wolf Harlow, Ph.D.
BJS Statistician December 1985
Of the 37,115,000 crimes that took The National Crime Survey (NCS) of victims are more or less likely
place in 1983, as estimated from the was initiated at the beginning of the than others to report crimes, what
National Crime Survey, 35%, or last decade to provide a reliable proportion of crimes are reported by
12,880,000, were reported to police. measure of crimes in the United someone other than the victim, and
These include: States, whether or not the crimes are the reasons victims give for report-
• 48% of the violent crimes of rape, reported to the police. The survey ing and for not reporting crim es.
robbery, and assault; has shown that each year about two- The findings of this report high-
,, • 26% of personal thefts (purse thirds of personal and household light the essential role played by
\ .. ' snatching, pocket picking, and larceny crimes are not reported to the police. citizens in the fight against crime
without contact away from home); and This special report examines in and provide valuable information to
• 37% of the household crimes of detail the reporting levels in 1983 for policym akers and prac ti tioners
burglary, household larceny (theft in or different kinds of crimes, the con- interested in increasing reporting
near tre home) and motor vehicle nf'ction between the likelihood that a levels.
theft. crime will be reported and its Steven R. Schlesinger
seriousness, whether different kinds Director
The specific crimes most likely to
be reported were motor vehicle theft
(69%) and aggravated assault (58%). for motor vehicle theft (88% vs. 33%) lower when teenagers or those with less
The specific crimes least likely to be and robbery (63% vs. 35%). than a high school education are vic-
reported were household larceny (25%), timized. Considering only crimes of
personal larceny without contact (26%), • When the victim sustains an injury the violence, the proportions of crimes
and pocket picking (29%). crime is more likely to be reported to reported are higher when the victims
police than when the victim is not are females rather than males, or
These findings are based on inter- injured. Moreover, the reporting ra te is blacks ra ther than whi tes.
views conducted twice a year with higher for crimes resulting in serious
injuries than for those resulting in
[ approximately 128,000 persons ages 12 • Three percent of reported personal
and vlder in 60,000 households, con- minor injuries. crimes are discovered by police. Sixty
ducted as part of the ongoing National percent are reported by the victim,
Crime Survey (NCS). Other key find- • The proportion of crimes reported to 13% by another household member, and
ings on the reporting of crimes to the police increnses as the value of prop- 22% by someone else.
police :~clude: erty theft or damage goes up. This is
true of virtually all crimes, violent and • Two percent of reported household
• Completed crimes are more likely to nonviolp.nt. Overall, crimes are about crimes al'e detected by police. Eighty-
be reported than attempted crimes. twice as likely to be reported to police eight percent are reported by a member
This difference is especially pronounced if the cash or property loss is $250 or of the household and 10% by someone
more than if there is no loss. else.
IThe total number or crimes analyzed in this report
is somewhat greater than the number presented in • Generally, demographic characteris- • The particular reason most frequently
other Bureau of Justice Statistics publications tics of victims make less difference to mentioned for not reporting a crime
because it includes attempted assaults of individuals reporting rates than does the type of was that it was not important enough
that occur at the same time as commercial crime. Nonetheless, the proportions of (30%). For violent crimes the reason
crimes. Com mercial crimes are excluded from the
crimes reported to police are somewha t most often given for not reporting was
o
crimes measured by the National Crime Survey.
 MiiMIlI!iMid-g il
* .. 92 hU!i ,p
*

that it was a private or personal matter Table 1. Whether crime was reported to police, 1983 conomic loss Table 4- Percent of erimes reported to police by value of theft and damage, 1983
(28%).
Percent reeorted to eolice
CIAmong reasons mentioned for report- Total nU~lber of Reported Value of theft/damage l1
ing crimes to police, victims? violent Type of crime victimizations to police No theft Less $250 or Value
crimes most often said to keep it from Type of crime or damage than $10 $10-$49 $50-$249 more unknown
happening again (31 %)j whereas victims All crimes 37% 13% 17% 38% 73% 32%
of personal theft and of household
crimes most often cited a desire to Crimes of vlolence b 42% 50% 55% 73% 79% 67%
recover property (43% and 35% Robbery 30 43 47 73 75 71
Completed 39 46 74 75 77
respectively). IV ith injury - 60 85 76 -
IV ithout injury 35 39 69 74 73
iii When the crime resulted in no Attempted 30 - - - - -
economic loss, reasons expressing a Assault 44 53 61 75 87 67
sense of obligation were by far the Aggravated assault 55 59 78 79 89 70
IV ith injury 59 58 75 73 92 73
most frequently given for reporting for Attempted with weapon 53 61 84 89 85 68
every crime studied. When the loss was Simple assault 38 49 52 72 84 63
$250 or :nore, economic incentives (to With injury
AI.tempted without weapon
47
36
54
43
53
52
66
76
-
94
-
-
collect insurance or recover property)
dominated for completed crimes of Note: Crime categories include attempted crimes. -Too few cases to obtain statistically reliable L . Crimes of theft 12% 7% 13% 35% 66% 18%
Figures may not add to total because of rounding. data. arceny
and without contact,involve
household
theft and completed household crimes. L -__________________________________________________________________-ll~ceny, pocket picking loss PUrse snatching - - 57 73 70 -
r-________________,fproperty without any threat to the Pocket picking - - 25 34 43 -
The citizen's role necessary to understand this essential Personal larceny
Table 2. Proportion of completed and ,ysical well-being of the victim. without contact 12 7 12 34 67 18
dimension of citizen involvement in the attempted crimes reported to police, 1983 naIl proportions (10% or less for Completed 6 12 35 67 19
One role which citizens play within criminal justice system. r------------~------'!_rsonal and household larceny) of Attempted 12 - - 27 71 -
the criminal justice system is a preven- Percent reported .lese crimes are reported to police
to eolice Household crimes 30% 15% 17% 39% 77% 32%
tive one of reducing the circumstances
Characteristics of the crime Type of crime Attempted Completed '~en these thefts involve objects of Burglary 34 26 29 47 83 39
and situations in which crimes are t--------------::------------~--...-;ittle value; the proportion rises as the Completed burglary 41 24 25 47 83 41
likely to be committed. In recent Crimes of violencea 42% 58'\) wnomic value of the theft and dam- Forcible en try 49 47 55 68 90 55
The likelihood that a crime will be Robber~ 35 63 Unlawful entry 37 11 15 36 73 23
years, for example, citizens have
reported to the police is strongly re- Assault ~e increases (table 4). A ttem pted Attempted forcible entry. 29 29 40 47 77 38
banded together in programs like Aggravated 56 63 wcenies with no economic loss were
"neighborhood watch" through which lated to the seriousness of the crime. Household larceny 18 10 14 34 61 20
Simple 38 50 ,ported at about the same proportion Completed 9 13 34 61 21
participants combat crime by marking In the aggregate, violent crimes are
property to make it more secure, more likely to be reported (48%) than Crimes of theft 1Sb 27%
completed larcenies with a loss of
t
Attempted 18 - - - - -
household crimes (37%) or crimes of o to $49. Moreover, if damage was Motor vehicle theft 26 - 30 48 88 44
increasing surveillance af public areas, Household crimes 31'\) 38\\ nsiderable, attempted larcenies were Completed - - - 89 82
personal theft (26%) (table 1). Other -
and promoting behavior to increase
measures of seriousness show the sam e
Burglary
Household larceny
34 54 p,orted in approximately the same Attempted 26 - - 44 62
citizen safety (for example, avoiding 22 26
pattern: attempted vs. completed :llotor vehicle theft 33
oportions as completed larcenies. -Too few cases to obtain statistically reliable ~cost to repair or replace damaged property.
walking alone after dark). 88
cri'.'Tles, existence and degree of injury, data. ncludes rape, which is not displayed as a
alncludes rape, which is not displayed as a The proportion of burglaries ~he value of theft/damage is the sum of the separate entry because of the small number in
Essential to the effectiveness of am'Dunt of loss, and personal confronta- separate entry because of the small number in ported to pOlice also increases with value of cash and property stolen and the the sample.
these crime prevention measures is tion with the offender. bthe sample.
Completed assaults are defined as assaults e value of the property stolen or
enhanced willingness on the part of
Attempted vs. completed crimes with injury; attempted assaults are ones in maged. When there is a very small
citizens to call the police about suspi-
which the victim is not injured. ss (less than $10), burglaries that Percent of Another crime in which the victim
cious criminal activity. Even when po- '-------------------------------......Ivol ve un force d bu t s till un la w ful robberies reported is confronted by an offender or offend-
lice take no action other than answer- When crimes of violence, crimes of r-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Itry into a home are less likely to be
personal theft, and household crimes to police, 1983 ers is assault. In the National Crime
ing a citizen observation of suspicious Survey assaults are classified as either
behavior, police presence can serve as a are completed, they are more likely to Table 3. Percent of violent crimes reported lported than burglaries involving
No loss Lo~ agl;ravated or simple, depending on the
be reported to police than attempted to policc by degree of injury, 1983 Ircible entries, whether attempted or
warning that citizens and police are
crimes. This is particularly true for . ,mpleted. When the loss is great No injury 24% 58% severity of the injury, if any, and/or the
vigilant to the possibility of crime and Percent reported to police 250 or more), this difference in Injury 48 72 pr'esence of a weapon. If a weapon was
are willing to take additional steps, if robbery, burglary, and motor vehicle
Crimes of :-/0 Inj ury 8. :porting rates for these different used or the injury was serious, the
necessary. theft (table 2). In the National Crime violence
t-______________________ injury :llInor Serious ·pes 0 f b urglarles
. .IS much less.
The presence of both factors assault is classified as aggravated. If
Survey, assaults are defined as com-
Robbery increases the reporting more than no weapon was used and any injury sus-
Another role which citizens play is pleted if the victim is injured and
Completed OVerall, motor vehicle theft is the either factor alone. However, when t.'lined is not serious, the assault is
after the fact: reporting actual crimes attempted if the victim is not injured.
Attempted 'operty crime with the highest losses are $250 or more, injury no classified (IS simple.
to the police. In calling the police, Attempted aggravated assault in which
victims and others introduce crimes to Assault b 'obability of being l'eported to police longer incl'eases the reporting rate
the victim is either threa tened or Aggravated ;!!ble 1). As with other property The use of a weapon in assaults has
the criminal justice system. Contact- (table 4). (By definition robberies with
attacked with a weapon but not injured Simple
t-__________________ 'imes the reporting rate is strongly a marked impact on reporting ra tes,
ing the police activates the process no loss are attempted crimes.)
is the most likely to be reported of all ' even when there is no injury. For most
through which society seeks to appre- attempted crimes. Bserious injury includes knife wounds, gun !lated to the value of the loss. When
shot or bullet wounds, broken bones and Ie loss is $250 or more, the proportion Confrontation with offender values of econom ic loss, an assault with
hend and punish wrongdoers and thereby
tecth, internal injuries, being knocked , motor vehicle thefts reported to a weapon with no injury to the victim
to promote a peaceful and orderly ex- Degree of injury uneonscious or undeterrnimid injuries that
require at least 2 days hospitalization. ~,linor )lice (88%) is comparable to the pro- Like most other crimes, confronta- (classified under N CS defini tions as an
istence for its members. If criminal
injury includes bruises, cuts and other minor )rtion of burglaries reported (83%) but tional crimes of theft such as robbery attempted aggravated assault with
incidents are not made known to the By definition, violent crimes are
injury or undetermined injUry rcquiring less gher than some property crimes such and purse snatching are more likely to weapon) is more likely to be reported to
police, they are likely to remain outside those in which the victim is threatened than 2 days hospitalization. k t . k' (43%) d hId police than an assault without a weapon
of, or hidden from, the system which bi\ssaults with serious injury are defined as l poc epic 1115 ,an ouse 101 be reported to police as the amount of
or attacked, and sometimes injured. that results in minor injuries (classified
has been established to deter wrong- aggravated; aSSAults with no injury or minor rceny (61 %) (table 4). economic loss increases. Moreover,
Robberies and assaults are more likely these confrontational crimes are more as a simple assault with injury). Most
doing. to be reported when the victim is injury are defined as nn aggravated ,3Gull if
the offender displays a weapon and $itnple In the case of ro::>bery, the existence likely to be reported than nonconfron- assaults do not involve direct economic
injured (table 3). In addi tion, the •__a_s_sa_u_It_i_f_n_o_w_c_a_po_n_I_·s_d_is_p_la_y_ed_.______' either an econom ie loss or an injury tational thefts with losses of equivalent lossj nonetheless, when property is
In presenting a statistical analysis reporting ra te is higher when injuries damaged, reporting increases as the
akes the incident more likely to be value (personal larcenies without con-
oJ patterns of reporting crimes to are serious rather than minor: not amount of loss goes up whether or not
ported to police: tact and household larcenies).
police; this report provides information lower than 69%.
2 3
 -------~--------~--------

-
educa tion ha ve a lower proportion of Table 7. Distribution oC who reports household crimes to police, 1983
Table 5. Percent DC crimes reported to police by victim characteristics, 1983
their crimes reported to police than
Percent reeorted to eolice those with more education. For person- Percent of reeorted crimes reeorted b;i
Crimes oC violence Household crimes al crimes of theft and for burglaries, Household Someone Some
Aggra- Crimes liouse- 'lotor Type of crirne members Police else other way Total
Victim All va ted Simple oC Dur- hold vehicle reporting increases as educa tional
characteristics a crimes Total b Robbery assa~lt assault theCt Total glary larceny theft attainm ent goes up. There appears to >\11 household crimes 88% 2"6 10% 1% 100%
be no relationship between education Com pie ~d 88% 2% 9% 1% 100"6
Sex and the reporting rate [or household Attempted 84 2 13 - 100
:II ale 35% 45% 45% 55% 38% 26% 38'\) 4t1% 27'\' 69'Yl
Female 34 53 65 66 45 27 37 49 23 67 larcenies or motor vehicle theft. Burglary 85% 1% 13% IX, 100 ib
Race
Household larceny 92 1 6 - 100 '
White 34 47 50 57 41 27 37 48 26 68
Motor vehicle theft 85 6 9 - 100
Black 37 54 58 63 41 26 39 52 22 70 Who reports crimes Note: Figures may not add to total because oC rounding.
Age -Too Cew cases to obtain statistically reliable data.
12-19 22 38 41 48 32 13 26 33 18 40 Whether or not crimes are reported
20-39 36 51 54 60 44 29 36 48 23 68 to the police is not simply the result of
40-64 40 57 58 73 50 33 41 51 29 72 the decisionmaking process of victims, Table 8. Who reported violent crimes to police by existence oC injury, 1983
65 and above 38 49 73 - - 36 37 48 25 65
for a substantial fraction of all crimes
Family income PercPDt reeorted b:i
Less than $10,000 33 48 50 60 41 26 32
reported to the police are reported by Other house- Someone Some
41 20 62
$10,000-$19,999 35 48 48 59 41 26 37 49 25 67 someone other than the victim. Specif- Victim hold member Police else other way Total
$20,000-$29,999 36 50 53 65 41 25 41 54 29 77 ically, about two-fifths of all personal No injury 59% 9% 6% 21% 4% 100%
$30,000 and above 35 45 56 49 40 27 42 57 29 68 crim es reported to police are reported Injury 50 9 5 33 3 100
Level oC education by someone other than the victim (table
Elementary 26 36 40 51 28 14 35 45 24 68 6). For violent crimes this proportion is Note: Incidents reported by proxy respondents are excluded.
Some high school 31 4,7 54 56 38 19 34 45 22 69
High school gradua te 37 51 56 59 46 29 38 48 26 71
almost half (46%); for crimes of person-
Some college 37 53 56 67 46 30 37 49 25 66 al theft it is just over one-third (37%).
College graduate Table 9. Who reports personal crimes to police by value oC loss, 1982-83
38 46 51 53 41 34 41 54 28 67 Of all the personal crimes made known
- to the police, pocket picking is the one Dercent oC eersonal crimes reeorted b;i
-Too Cew cases to obtain statistically and DC head oC household Cor household years attended for household crimes.
with the highest proportion reported by Type oC crime Other house-
reliable data. crimes. Income is that oC the family Cor all bJncludes rape, which is not displayed as a by value 0 floss Victim hold member Other Total
8Characteristics are t~ose of respondent types of crime. Education is years completed separatc entry because oC the small numbcr the victim (87%).
for crimes of violence and crimes oC theft for crimes of violence and crimes of theft and in the sam pIe.
All perso'l,al crimes a
The vast majority of household No loss 54% 9% 37% 100%
crimes are reported by a household Loss less than $250 63 12 25 100
the injury is serious, a weapon is pres- Table 6. Distribution oC who reports personal crimes to police, 1983 Loss oC 5250 or more 68 14 17 100
member. Nonetheless, about 1 in 8 are
ent, or the assault is completed.
Percent oC reeorted crimes reeorted b:i brought to the attention of the police in All violent crimes
Other Some another way (table 7). The police No loss 55% 9% 36% 100%
Characteristics of victims household Someone other themselves discover relatively few Loss less than $2 50 56 10 34 100
Type oC crime Victim member Police else way Total Loss oC $250 or more 69 8 23 100
crimes: 3% of all personal crimes and
Whether a crime is reported to po- Robbery
All personal crimes 60% 13% 3'X, 22X> 2% 100% 2% of household crimes. However, they
lice can also be eX3.mined in terms of No loss 55 10 35 100
discover about 7% of assaults and 6% of Loss less than $250 63 10 28 100
the characteristics of the victims. (F or Crimes of violence 54% 11% 6% 25% 4% 100% motor vehicle thefts.
household crimes the characteristics Rape
Robbery
54
64
-
10
-3 27
21
-
-
100
100
Loss of $250 or Irore
Aggra va ted assault
69 10 21 100
analyzed are those of the household Assault 51 12 7 26 When victims are injured in violent
4 100 No loss 50 9 41 100
head.) Generally, the demographic Aggravated 48 U 4 32 5 100 crimes the proportion reported by L03s less than $250 47 9 43 100
characteristics of victims make much Simple 54 12 8 23 3 100 Loss oC $250 or more 61 5 34 100
someone other than the victim rises
less difference to reporting rates than Crim es oC theft from 43% to 51% (table 8). In some Simple assault
64% 15% 2% 19% 1% 100'\)
does the type of crime (table 5). This
analysis indicates that crimes
Purse sna tching 69 -- -
-
22
-
- 100 cases the victim may not be able to call No loss
Loss less than $250
58
51
10
10
32
39
100
100
experienced by such social groups as
Pocket picking
Larceny without contact
87
63 15 2
- 100 the police (if unconscious, for example) Loss oC $250 or more 72 - - 100
19 I 100
blacks and the elderly are not seriously Completed 64 15 2 19 1 100 or may deem medical treatment for in-
- - juries a more im n.I edia te need than Crimes oC theft
over- or under-represented among all
crimes reported to the police.
A tlempted 51
Note: Figures may not add to total because oC rounding.
.- 32 - 100
calling the police In other cases the
I
No loss
Loss less than $250
37'"
65
2%
12
61 'Yl
23
100%
100
-Too few cases to obtain statistically reliable data. victim may not think the matter serious Loss oC $250 OJ' more 68 15 17 100
Sex enough to report to police. Completed crimes of theft
No loss
police are informed of a crime. For Family income Loss less than $250 65 12
When women are victims of violent Just over one-fif'..l1 of all reported 23 100
violent crimes, however, a higher Loss oC $250 or more 68 15 17 100
crimes, the police are more likely to be personal crimes and about one-tenth of
proportion of incidents are reported Overall, family income makes little Attempted crimes of theft
contacted than when men are the vic- all reported household crimes are
when the victim is black. The same difference to the proportion of crim es No loss 37 2 61 100
tims. This is particularly true for pa ttern holds for completed burglaries. brought to the attention of the police Los~ less than $250 59 15 26 100
reported to the police. Nonetheless,
robbery and aggravated assault. For by someone other than the victim, Loss of $250 or more 70 IJ 17 100
the proportion of robberies and llOuse-
personal thefts and household crimes, another household ~ember, or by the
hold crimes reported increases some- police themselves. The person re- Note: Incidents reported by proxy respondents arc separate entry becallse oC the small number
sex makes no difference to the pro- what as family income goes up. For excluded Crom this table. Figures may not ne'd to in the sample.
portion of crim es reported. A ttem pted porting may be another victim, a total because of rounding. bThe loss is the sum oC the value oC cash
When teenagers are victimized by a aggravated assaults, on the other hand,
household burglaries, however, are crime of violence or personal theft, thl'! witness to the event, a person who -Too Cew cases to obtain statistically reliable and property stolen lind the cost to repair
a slightly lower proportion are reported datu. or replace damaged property.
somewhat more likely to be reported if becomes inVOlved in the effects or
crime is less likely to be reported to to police when the victim has a family aIncludes rape, Which is not displayed a~ a
the household head is female (39%) than police than for every other age group. aftermath of the incident, or someone
income of at least $30,000. For person-
male (32%). Only 13% of crimes of personal theft who is told of the cl'ime or has it
al thefts there is no difference based on
against teenagers are reported to po- income. reported to him or her. NeighbOl's, may be the one who contacts the police
2The NeS does not collect information on the ~)ystanders,or proprietors may observe in a specific incident.
..:!e lice. Household crimes are somewhat identity or characteristics of persons who report
more likely to be reported to police Education crimes other than the respondent, except a crime. Health professionals or school
Overall, the race of the victim when the heads of households are determining whether the crime was reported by principals may be called after an inci- In each of these cases the person
makes little difference in whether between the ages of 40 and 64. Violent crime victims with little another household member or by someone else. dent. A person ill any of these roles reporting the crime needs to perceive
4 5
--,-.---

- theft, and household crimes. Contrary members, respectively, report the male victims to be the ones who con-
Table 10. Who reports household crimes Table 11. Who reports personal crimes to police by selected victim characteristics, 1982-83 to the general pattern, a high pro- crime in the same proportions as they tact the police (table 11). The opposite
to police by value oC loss, 1982-83 portion of attempted personal thefts report completed crimes with the same relationship holds for reported crimes
Crim es of violencc
Percent of household Characteristics of All Aggra- Crimes of theft with no financial loss are reported by amount of loss. of personal theft. Moreover, attempted
crimes reeorted b:t the victim by who personal Rob- vated Simple Com- At- someone other than the victim or personal thefts are significantly less
House- reported the crime crimes Total a bery assault assault Total pie ted tempted
another household_member (61%). One Sex likely to be reported by the victim, for
Type ot' crime hold possible explana tion for this is tha t both men and women victims, than
by value of loss member Other Total Sex
:\'Iale victim someone else, perhaps a bystander, When women are victims of violent completed personal thefts.
All household crimes Victim reported 62% 52% 61 '\) 48% 52''6 7\'\) 72'\J 55"6 reported a crime in [,rogress to police crimes, the crimes are somewhat more
Other household member 9 8 9 8 8 9 9 7
No loss" 79% 21"" 100%
29 44 40 20 19 38 and thereby prevanted its completion. likely to be reported to police than For reported household crimes there
Loss less than $250 89 11 100 Other 29 39
Loss oC $250 or more 90 Female
When attempted crimes of theft and when men are the victims. It is also is little measurable difference in the
10 100
Victim 60 62 66 54 64 60 60 46 attempted household crimes resuJ.t in true that 'female victims of reported likelihood that the crime will be re-
Completed household Other household member 15 11 10 II 12 18 18 10 financial loss, victims and h0usehold violent crimes are more likely than ported by a household member, whether
crimes Other 24 27 24 35 24 22 22 44
- the household head is male or female
No loss 78 22 100
Loss less than $250 89 11 100
Race Table 12. Who rcports householu c~imcs to police, by selr:cted household characteristics, 19&2-83 (table 12).
White
Loss of $250 or more 90 10 100 Victim 61% 56% 61 '\) 50''\) 57''6 65% 66'\) 51%
8 HousehOld crimes Race
Other household member 12 9 9 9 9 14 14
A ttem pted household Characteristics of the he"d 'lotor
Other 27 35 30 41 34 21 20 41
crimes of the victimized household Household vehicle
No loss 79 21 100
Black by who "'lported the crime R Total Completed Attempted nurglary larceny theft Race makes very little difference to
Victim 63 59 69 47 61 67 67 59
Loss less than $250 86 14 100 Other household member 11 11 12 11 12 11 11 15 the proportion of reported crimes that
Loss of $250 or more 85 15 100 30 19 42 27 22 22 26 Sex are made known to the police by the
Other 26 \laic household head
Burglary Age Household member reported 89"6 90"6 82"6 86% 93"6 88% victim (tabh.5 11 and 12). Although
No loss 80 20 100 12-19 Other 11 10 18 14 7 12 black victims generally report slightly
Loss less than $250 84 16 100 Victim 48% 39% 47% 38% 37% 59''\) 59% - Female higher proportions of report~d personal
Loss of $250 or ,nore 89 11 100 Other household member 20
32
24
37
25
28
22
40
25
38
14
27
15
26
-
-
Household member
Other
87
13
87
13
83
17
85
15
90
10
85
15
crimes than do white victims (63% vs.
Other
Household larceny 20-39
61 %), this difference is not statistically
Race significant. Nonetheless, a substantial-
No loss 76 24 100 Victim 65 60 69 51 62 69 70 53
White
Loss less than $250 92 8 100 Other household member 9 6 5 6 6 11 11 10 Household member 8ax, 89"6 82% 86''6 92% 86% ly higher proportion of reported robber-
Loss of $250 or more 95 5 100 Other 26 35 26 44 32 20 19 37 Other 12 11 18 14 8 14 ies of whi tes are reported to police by
40-64
:'rlotor vchicle theft Victim 60 63 61 61 64 59 60 40
Black someone other than the victim or an-
Household member 89 90 83 87 93 91
No loss 69 31 100 Other household member 14 7 10 6 7 18 18 7
Other 11 10 17 13 7 9
other household member (30%) than is
Loss less than $250 85 15 100 Other 25 30 29 33 30 23 22 53 the case for robberies of blacks (19%).
Loss of $250 or more 88 12 100 65 and above Age
Victim 66 64 64 61 70 67 67 67 12-19
Note: Incidents reported by proxy respon'~mts Other household member 10 - - - - 11 11 7 Household member 73% 76% - 70% 81 "6 60% Members of households headed by
are excluded from this table. Figures may flot Other 23 27 27 - - 22 2? 26 Other 27 24 - 30 19 - blacks and whites report about the
add to total because of rounding. 20-39 same proportion of reported burglaries
Family incomeb 90 82 87 92 88
*The loss is the sum of the value of cash and HousehOld member 89
property stolen and the cost to repair or
Less than $10,000 Other 11 10 18 13 8 12 and household larcenies. Households
Victim 65% 60% 69% 49% 63% 70'\) 71 '\) 66'\) 40-64 headed by blacks report a slightly
replace damaged property. 10
Other household member 9 8 7 9 9 9 10
Other 26 32 24 41 28 20 20 24
Household member 89 90 84 86 93 88 higher proportion of reported motor
Other 11 10 16 14 7 12 vehicle thefts than households headed
$10,000-$19,999 65 or more
that a crime or possible crime has Victim 63 56 63 50 58 68 69 50 by whites.
Household member 84 85 79 81 89 82
taken place or is occurring and must Other household member 11 10 9 8 11 12 12 - Other 16 15 21 19 11 18
decide that police involvement is Other 26 34 27 42 31 20 19 48
$20,000-$29,999 Family income
appropriate. This decision process may Victim 61 55 59 53 55 65 65 51 Less than $10,000
be an immediate reaction to a sudden Other household member 12 9 9 9 10 14 15 8 Household member 87"6 88% 83"6 86"6 89"6 85"6 Not only are a smaller propo1·tion of
event (for example, after spotting a Other 27 35 32 38 35 21 20 41 Other 13 12 17 14 11 15
violent crimes reported to police when
burglary in{>rogress), or it may be a $30,000 or more $10,000-$19,999
Victim 56 51 56 46 52 58 59 38 HousehOld member 90 91 83 87 94 90 the victims are teenagers (as discussed
more prolonged reasoning process (as Other household member 15 10 13 10 9 17 18 17 Other 10 9 17 13 6 10 above), a significantly smaller pro-
might confront someone who suspects Other 29 39 31 44 39 24 23 45 $20,000-$29,999 portion of reported violent crimes are
that a neighbor is a victim of spousal Household member 89 90 80 87 92 85
Educational attainment Other 11 10 20 13 8 15 reported by teenage victims themselves
abuse). Elementary than by older victims. For reported
$30,000 and above
Victim 53% 48% 56% 40'\) ·la''6 60'\) 60'\) -- Household member 87 88 81 83 92 86 crime£ of theft, however, teenage vic-
The characteristics of crim inal Other household member 20 21 17 24 23 18 18 -- Other 13 12 19 17 8 14 tims are as likely to report as those
incidents and of victims can be Other
Some high school
27 31 27 36 29 22 22 - Levcl of education b between the ages of 40 and 64, but less
examined in greater detail to determine Victim 55 52 61 46 51 60 61 46 Elementary likely than those 20-39 and 65 and
whether certain kinds of victims or Other household member 14 14 16 12 15 14 14 13 Housp.hold member 86"6 87"6 78''6 83"6 90"6 83%
Other 30 34 23 42 34 25 25 41 Other 14 13 22 17 10 17 older.
victims of certain kinds of crimes are Some high school
High school graduate
more likely to be the ones who report Victim 62 58 64 48 62 66 66 57 Ilousehold member 89 90 79 86 94 86 Of household crimes brought to the
crimes to the police. Other household member 11 8 6 9 9 14 14 6 Other 11 10 21 14 6 13
attention of the police, a smaller pro-
Other 26 34 30 43 29 20 20 37 High school graduute
Some college Household member 91 91 86 90 93 87 portion are reported by a household
Value of loss Other 9 9 14 10 7 13 member when the household is headed
Victim 62 58 65 55 56 65 66 46
As the value of theft or damage
Other household member 10 5 7 - 5 14 14 16 Some college
Household member 87 88 81 84 90 86
by a teenagel' than by someone older.
Other 28 38 28 42 39 21 20 38
from an incident goes up, not only is College graduate Other 13 12 19 16 10 14
Victim 68 65 72 62 64 68 69 48 College graduu te Family income
the incident more likely to be reported 88 81 92 89
to police, the proportion of crimes Other household member 9 4 4 - 5 11 II 6 Household member 87
19
83
17 8
Other 24 31 23 35 32 21 20 46 Other 13 12 II Family income makes little dif- .'
reported by the victim or a household ference to the proportion of all crimes
member also increases (tables 9 and Note: Incidents reported by proxy respondents alncludes rape, which is not displayed as a Note: Inciden ts reported by proxy Bcharueteristics are those of head of
are exclUded from this table. separll te entry becau,e of the smull number respondents nrc excluded from tllis table. bhousehold. Income is that of the family. reported to the police. However, of
10). This relationship holds true for
--Too fel'>' cases to obtain statistically reliable in the sample. -Too few cases to obtain statistically Ilighest year attended. reported violent crimes, the proportion
each of the major crime categories: data. ~ncome is that of family, not just victim. reliable data. reported by the victim decreases some-
violent crimes, crimes of personal '------

6 7
 ---------~- -~-

we- ·kll 5

Table 13. Most important reason Cor not reporting to police, 1983 Reasons Cor not reporting Table 15. Reasons Cor rcporting crimes to police
Household crimes
crimes to the police by value oC theft and damage, 1982-83
Crimes of violence Crimes of theft
Aggra- 1I0usc- \lotor
Victims of unreported crimes were Obli- Stop/ Punish
All Rob- vated Simple Com- At- Com- At- BUr- hold vehicle Type of crime Economic gaU.>n prevent offendcr Othcr Total
~lost impor'tant reason crimes Total bery assault assault Total pleted 'p.mpted Total pie ted tem pted glary larceny thefl asked to givl;' the reasons why the
Total 1DO'\)
police were not notified and to indicate No thcft or damagc
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100'" 100% 100'\) 100',1)
the most important reason. About 34% All crimes 1% 47% 19'16 17% 16% 100%
Not serious
Object recovered or offender
gave most important reasons indicating Crimes of violencc· 1 45 19 18 16 100
unsucclssful
Did not think it important
5 5 14 4 3 4 2 33 5 2 21 8 3 22 that the incident was not serious
enough to report to police, with 30%
Robbcry
Assault
-I 48
45
21
19
18
17
12
17
tOO
100
enough 30 22 15 20 26 30 30 24 32 34 22 21 38 13 saying it was not important enough and Aggravated 3 44 18 19 16 100
506 indica ting tha t the object was re- Simple - 46 20 16 17 100
Nothing could be done
Didn't realize crime happened rl covered or the attempt was unsuccess- Crimes of theft - 44% - 21% - 100%
until later
Property hard (;1 recover due to
7 1 - - - 7 7 5 S 9 8 11 7 9
'/\ ful (table 13). Another 27% indicated Completed
Attempted - 44 - 21 - 100
- - - that nothing could be done, either
lack of icentifh,Mion number 4 - - ~ 5 5 6 - 3 7 - Household crimes 2% 51'16 20'1) 13''6 140\) 100%
Lack of proof, no way to find/
identify offender 16 8 16 9 5 17 17 14 16 16 16 17 16 18
because the victim did not realize a
crime was committed until later, the
Completed
Attempted
--- 48
54
20
21
13
13
17
12
:00
100
Police wouldn't do anything
Police wouldn't think it was
property was difficult to recover, or Burglary
Household larceny -
- 51
51
20
22
12
16
15
11
100
100
they lacked proof or some means to
important enough-wouldn't
wan t to be bothered locate or identify the offender. Lack
Motor vehiclc theft - 58 - - -- 100
7 5 5 4 5 6 6 5 8 8 7 7 8 8
Police would be inefficient, of proof or inability to identify or Theft or damage less than $250
insensi live 4 5 9 5 3 2 2 3 5 5 5 6 4 a locate the offender was mentioned 9')(, 100'\)
All crimes 32% 37'u 12'16 10%
Reported to someone else 11 11 8 9 13 18 19 6 4 3 6 7 2 - proportionately more often for crimes Crimes of violence* 14 37 14 21 15 100
Private/personal matter or took of theft and household crimes than for Robbery 23 35 11 20 11 100
care oC it myself 9 28 13 33 30 4 4 3 8 8 -\ 8 7 10 crimes of violence. Assault - 40 17 21 21 100
Did not want to take time, too Aggravated - 39 15 21 23 100
inconvenient - - In 11 cy, of the cases victims said Simple - 40 19 20 20 100
2 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 - they did not notify the police because Crimes of theft 42% 32'u 6 'x, 10')0 9)6 100"6
ACraid of reprisal by offender
Completed 42 32 6 10 9 100
- they had reported the incident to
or his family or friends
Other
1
7
4
11
5 4 4 0 0 1 1 -- I 0 - someone else. About 10% of victims
Attempted 20 53 - - - 100
11 9 10 6 7 5 7 7 7 9 6 6 Household cri:nes 28% 41'" 11 ''6 12',\) 9''6 100%
said the police wouldn't think the Completed 31 40 9 11 8 100
Note: Figures may not add to total because of rounding incident important enough or would be
-Too few cases to obtain statistically reliable data. ;\ tlempted 7 49 20 14 10 100
inefficient, ineffective, or insensitive. Burglary 22 43 13 13 9 100
About D% indicated that it was a per- Household larceny 33 39 9 11 8 100
:Vlotor vehicle theft 17 49 10 14 10 100
sonal or private matter. This reason,
what as his or her family income in- household crimes reported by a house- hood that the crime will bc rcported by however, was the most important one in Theft or damage oC $250 or morc
creases. This rela tionship holds for hold member. another household member goes down. 28'16 of the violent crimes not reported All crimes 45% 28% 6% 13'u 8% 100''0
robbery and simple assault. Income The proportion of reported crimes of to the police. Infrequently mentioned
Crimes of violence* 27 29 11 17 16 100
makes no difference in who calls the Level of educa tion theft reported by the vic tim increaset, as the most important reason for not Robbcry 30 31 10 16 13 100
police for aggravated assault. The wi th higher levels of educa tion. reporting a crime were unwillingness to Assault 16 23 13 22 26 100
proportion of reported personal thefts As the level of a victim's educa tion take the time or fear of reprisal. Aggravated 22 17 12 22 28 100
reported by the victim also decreases increases, the likelihood that the victim Simplc 10 29 14 23 24 100
The level of educa tion of the head
as family income goes up. Income does him or herself will report a violent of thE' household makes li ttle difference Reasons varied by both the type of Crimcs of theft 49J6 27',\' 5% 12'X, 7'16 100%
not appear to have any effect on the crime, especially a robbery or aggra- crime and whether the crime was com- Gomplcted 49 26 5 12 7 100
in the prvportion of reported crimes Attempted 27 49 - - - 100
proportions of any type of reported vated assault, goes up, while the likeli- reported by a household member. pleted or not. That the incident we.s
not serious was more frequently men- Houschold crimes 45'X, 28'.'6 S'I) 13% 8''0 100%
Completed 45 28 6 13 8 100
tioned for a personal theft or household Attcmpted 22 39 16 17 - 100
Table 14. Most important reason Cor reporting to police, 1983 crime that was attempted rather than Burglary 41 30 7 14 9 100
completed. Together, the reasons that Household larccny 45 29 6 13 7 100
Crimes oC violence Crimes of thcCt Household crimes a crime was not serious or that nothing Motor vehicle theft 55 22 6 12 6 100
Aggra-
All Rob- vated Simple Com- At-
1I0use- \lotor could b~~ done were given for at least Note: Figures may not add to total because of *Includes rape, which is not displaycd as a
Com- At- BUr- hold vehicle
\lost important reason crimes Total bery assault assault Total pie ted tempted Total pletcd tempted glary larceny then 60'}6 of personal thefts and of household rounding. scparate entry becausc of the small number in
crim; not reported to police. For -Too fcw cases to obtain statistically reliablc the sam pic.
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% data.
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% violent crimes, particularly aggravated
Economic and simple assault, the most frequently
In order to collect insurance 8 - - -
-
- 12 12 -- 7 8 4 6 9 9 mentioned reasons were that it was a was a crime, it was their duty, or to grouping these according to the degree
Desire to recover property 32 6 21 - 43 44 35 40 - 26 37 63 personal or private matter or that it keep it from happening again or to of economic loss in the crimes gives
Obligation further insight into the reasons victims
Because it was a crime was not serious. others--were cited as most important
Because you Celt it was your duty
8
7
7
8
9
7
4
11
7
8
8
7
8 - 9 8 12 12 7 6 by 35% of victims who reported their report crimes (table 15).
6 23 7 6 7 7 7 4
To keep it from happening again 20 31 22 33 35 14 14 24 19 17 32 Reasons for reporting crimes, including more than half of
23 19 7 When there was no loss or d~mage,
To stop or prevent this incident those victimized by attempted theft
from happening
To punish oCCender
9 18 15 17 19 4 4 - 9 7 24 12 8 4
When victims who reported their
crimes were asked their most important
and about half of those who suffered an
assault or an attempted household
reasons rela ting to personal obliga tion
were given most often. This was true
7 14 11 16 12 4 4 - 7 6 9 8 6 5 reason for calling the police, 40% gave crime. Retribution, that is, punishing for each crime examined.
There was evidence or prooC 1 - - - - 1 - - 1 1 - - 1 - economic reasons, either to recover the offender, was the most important
Need Cor help after incident As the value of financial loss rose,
property or to collect insurance (table reaso.) for 7%. Both obliga tion and
due to injury 1 3 - - - - - - - - - - - - 14). Economic reasons were more like- retriblltion were given more often by so did the frequency of economic
Other 8 14 10 11 18 8 7 - 6 6 10 7 7 ly to be given by victims of personal victir.ls of violent crimes. reasons (to collect insurance or recover
Note: Figures may not add to total because of rounding. theft and of household crimes than by property) for reporting crimes to po-
-Too few cases to obtain statistically reliable data. victims of violent crime. Reasons Considering all the reasons cited by lice. The sense of obligation was men-
relating to personal obligation-that it victims for calling the police and i:oned less frequently, although it was
8 9
hi" $ 1M Mk!'t# ' Ie
4 H&?*'H .....
still an important factor. When the loss absent, the number of crimes reported Bureau of Justice Statistics reports Corrections Privacy and security
was $250 or more, economic reasons by other household members allocated (revised December 1985) BJS bulletins and speCial reports: Computer crime:
dominated for completed crimes of to the "victim" column was equal to: Call toll-free 800-732-3277 (local Capital pUnishment 1984, NCJ·98399, 8/85 BJS special reports:
251-5500) to order BJS reports, to be added Prison admissions and releases, 1982, Electronic fund transfer fraud, NCJ-96666, 3/85
theft and completed hCllsehold crimes. to one of the BJS mailing lists, or to speak
For the attempted property crimes, A(B/C) NCJ-97995.7/85 Electronic fund transfer and crime,
to a reference specialist in statistics at the Prisoners in 1984, NCJ·97118. 4/85 NCJ·92650, 2/84
reasons of obliga tion were most often where A is the number of crimes Justice Statistics Clearinghouse, National Examlnln9 recidivism, NCJ'96501, 2/85 Computer security techniques,
mentioned. Criminal Justice Reference Service, Returning to prison, NCJ·95700. 11/84
reported by other household members in Time served in prison, NCJ·93924, 6/84
NCJ'84049,9/82
proxy interviews when the victim was Box 6000, Rockville, MD 20850. Single Electronic fund transfer systems and crime,
copies of reports are free; use NCJ number Prisoners in State and Federal institutions on NCJ·83736, 9/82
Methodological note temporarily absent; B is the number of Dec. 31, 1982 (final), NCJ·93311, 12/84 Legislative resource manual, NCJ-76890, 9/81
to order. Postage and handling are charged
crimes reported by victims in nonproxy for bulk orders of single reports. For single Capital punishment 1982 (final). NCJ·91533, Expert witness manual, NCJ-77927, 9/81
The da ta for this report are taken interviews; and C is the number of 11/84 Criminal justice resource manual, NCJ-61550,
copies of multiple titles, up to 10 titles are 12/79
from the National Crime Survey, which crimes reported by all members of the free; 11-40 titles $10; more than 40, $20; 1979 survr>/o! inmates of Stale correctional facilities
libraries call for special rates. and 1979 census of State correctional facilities: Privacy and security of criminal history
twice yearly asks 128,000 members of a household ("respondent" plus "other information:
probability sam pie of 60,000 households household members") in nonproxy Public-use tapes of BJS data sets and BJS special reports:
Compendium of State legislation, 1984
other criminal justice data are available The prevalence of imprisonment, NCJ-93657,
if they have been victimized by crime interviews. This calculation was done 7/85 overview, NCJ·98077, 9/85
within the past 6 months. When a from the Criminal Justice Archive and Career patterns In crime, NCJ-68672, 6/83 A guide to research and statistical use,
for each type of crime. Information Network, P.O. Box 1248, Ann NCJ·69790, 5/81
criminal incident is mentioned by a Arbor, MI48106 (313-763-5010). BJS bulletins: A guide to dissemination, NCJ-40000, 1/79
respondent, N CS interviewers collect Prisoners and drugs, NCJ-87575. 3/83 Compendium of State le9islation:
• In the case of those under 14 for Prisoners and alcohol, NCJ-86223. 1/83
information about the event, including whom proxy interviews were given, the National Crime Survey NCJ·48981, 7/78
Prisons and prisoners, NCJ-80697. 2/82 1981 supplement, NCJ-79652. 3/82
whether it was reported to police and Criminal victimization In the U.S.:
same formula was used, grouping Veterans In prison, NCJ-79232. 11/81
1983 (final report), NCJ·96459. 10/85 Criminal justice information policy:
the reasons for reporting or not re- crimes in the categories of violent 1982 (final report), NCJ·92820. 11/84 Census of jails and survey of Jail inmates: Crime control and criminal records (BJS special
porting. In this study, reporting to crimes and crimes of theft and using 1973-82 trends, NCJ-90541, 9/83 Jail Inmates, 1983 (BJS bulletin), NCJ·99175. report), NCJ-99176, 10/85
1981 (final report), tJCJ·90208 11/85 State criminal records repositories (BJS
police is defined as an affirmative data on 14-year-olds to estimate The 1983 jail census (BJS bulletin). NCJ·95536,
1980 (final report), NCJ-84015, 4/83 technical report), NCJ-990 17, 10/85
response LO the question, "Were the reporting rates for 12- and 13-year- 1979 (final report), NCJ·76710, 12/81 11/84 Data quality of criminal history records, NCJ'
poliLe informed or did they lind out olds. These adjustments were made to BJS special reports;
Jail Inmates 1982 (BJS bulletin). NCJ·87161. 2/83 98079, 10/85
about this incident in any way?" Census of jails, 1978: Data for indiVidual jails, Intelligence and investigative records,
1.5% of weighted incidents reported to Reportin9 crimes to the police, NCJ-99432, vols. I-IV. Northeast. North Central, Soulh, West,
12/85 NCJ·95787.4/85
police. Locatin9 city, suburban, and rural crime, NCJ·
NCJ-72279-72282, 12/81 Victimlwitness legislation: An overview,
In conducting the NCS, information 99535, 12/85
Protile of jail inmates, 1978, NCJ-65412. 2/81 NCJ-94365, 12/84
about victimizations of 12- and 13- Information policy and crime control strategies
All relationshi~s described in this The risk of violent crime, NCJ-97119. 5/85 Parole and probation (SEARCH/BJS conference), NCJ-93926.
year-old household members is usually report are significant at the 95% The economic cost of crime to victims, NCJ-
93450,4/84 BJS bulletins: 10/84
given by a proxy respondent, most often confidence level unless the findings Family violence, NCJ·93449, 4/84 Probation and parole 1983, NCJ-94776. Research access to criminal jUstice data,
a parent. In a limited number of other 9/84 NCJ·84154. 2/83
are qualified by language such as BJS bulletins: Settin9 prison terms, NCJ·76218, 8/83 Privacy and juvenile justice records,
situa tions interviewers can use a proxy "somewhat," indicating significance at Criminal victimization, 1984, NCJ-98904. 10/85 NCJ-84152.1/83
respondent, for example, if a respond- Households touched by crime, 1984, NCJ- Parole in the U.S., 1980 and 1981, NCJ-87387.
the 90% confidence level. 1/86
Survey of State laws (BJS bulletin).
ent will be away from home during the 97689,6/85 NCJ·80836, 6/82
The crime of rape, NCJ-96777, 3/85 Characteristics of persons entering parole
Privacy and the private employer,
entire data gathering period or cannot Household bur91ary, NCJ·96021, 1/85 during 1978 and 1979, NCJ-87243. 5/83
NCJ-79651, 11/81
give an interview because of mental or Criminal victimization, 1983, NCJ-93869. 6/84 Characteristics of the parole population, 1978,
. Violent crime by strangers, NCJ·80829, 4/82 NCJ-66479.4/81
physical incapacity. In table 6, the Parole In the U.S., 1979, NCJ-69562. 3/81
General
Crime and the elderly, NCJ-79614, 1/82
estimates for the categories of "victim" BJS bulletins:
Measurin9 crime, NCJ-75710, 2/81 Tracking oHenders: The child victim, NCJ·
and "other household member" were ad- Courts
Response to screenin9 questions in the National 95785, 12/84
BJS bulletin:
justed for those victimizations in which Crime Survey (BJS technical report), NCJ·
The 9rowth of appeals: 1973·83 trends,
The severity of crime, NCJ-92326, 1/84
proxy interviews were given. The ad- 97624,7/85 The American response to crime: An overview
Victimization and fear of crime; World NCJ·96381, 2/85
of criminal justice systems, NCJ-91936, 12/63
justm ents were needed because in a perspectives, NCJ-93872, 1/85 Case filings In State courts 1983, NCJ-95111,
Tracking offenders, NCJ-91572. 11/83
proxy interview NCS interviewers are The National Crime Survey; Working papers, 10/84
Victim and witness assistance: New State
vol. I: Current and historical perspectives. BJS special reports: laws and the system's response, NCJ·87934,
instructed to code the "respondent" as Felony sentencin9 in 18 local
NCJ'75374,8/82 5/83
having reported to police if the person vol. Ii: Methological studies, NCJ·90307, 12/84 jurisdictions, NCJ·97681, 6/85
National survey of crime severity, NCJ-96017,
giving the interview contacted the Crime against the elderly in 26 cities, The prevalence of guilty pleas, NCJ·96018.
10/85
NCJ-76706. 1182 12/84
police. They code "other household Sentencing practices in 13 States, NCJ·95399, Sourcebook of criminal justice statistics, 1984,
The Hispanic victim, NCJ-69261. 11/81
member" as having reported if the Issues in the measurement of crime, 10/84 NCJ-96382.10/85
victim reported the crime. Criminal defense systems: A national Criminal victimization of District of Columbia
NCJ·74682, 10/81 residents and Capitol Hill employees,lg82-83.
Criminal victimization of California residents, survey, NCJ-94630. 8/84
Habeas corpus, NCJ-92948, 3/84 NCJ'97982;Summary, NCJ·98567; 9/85
In all proxy interviews "respondent" 1974-77, NCJ'70944, 6/81 The DC crime victimization study implementation,
Restitution to victims of personal and household Case filings in State courts 1983,
was recoded as "other household mem- NCJ·95111,10/84 NCJ·98595. 9/85,S7.60 domestic/S9.20 Canadi·
crimes, NCJ-72770, 5/81 an/S12.80 foreign
ber," because normally proxy interviews Criminal victimization of New York State State court caseload statistics, 1977 and
1981, NCJ·87587, 2/83 The DC householdvir1imization survey data base:
are given by someon.: else in the house- resldents,1974-77, NCJ-66481, 9/80 Documentation,' J·98586. S6.40/S840/S11
The cost of negligence: Losses from preventable Supplement to the state court model statistical User manual, N( ,98597. S8.20/S9.80/S12.80
hold. Proportions of the "other house- Bureau of Justice Statistics S!-lecial household burglaries. NCJ·53527, 12/79 dictionary, NCJ·96326. 9/85 BJS telephone COl lets '85, NCJ-98292.8/85
hold member" category were allocated Reports are prepared principally by Rape victimization in 26 American cities, The prosecution of felony arrests: How to gain acce& to BJS data (brochure),
to the "respondent" category according BJS staff under the direction of NCJ-55878, 8/79 1980, NCJ-97684, 10/85 BC'000022, 9/84
to the following rules: Joseph :,1. Bessette, deputy director Criminal victimization in urban schools,
NCJ-56396, 8/79
1979, NCJ·86482. 5/84 Information policy and crime control
State court organization 1980, NCJ-76711, 7/82 strategies, NCJ-93926. 10/84
for data analysis. This report was Crime against persons in urban, suburban, dnd State court model statistical dictionary, Proceedings of the 2nd workshop on law and
• If the proxy was given because the written by Caroline Wolf Harlow and rural areas, NCJ-53551, 7179 Supplement, NCJ·96326, 9/85 justice statistics, 1984, NCJ·93310. 8/84
An introduction to the National Crime Survey, 1 st edition, NCJ·62320, 9/80
victim was physically or mentally in- edited by Mr. Bessette. :\1arilyn NCJ-43732, 4/78
Report to the nation on crime and justice:
A cross·clty comparison of felony case The data, NCJ-87068. 10/83
capable of giving an interview, it was Marbrook, publications unit chief, Local victim surveys: A review of the Issues. processing, NCJ-55171, 7/79 Dictionary of criminal justice data terrninologl"'
assu:TIed that the victim was incapable administered report production, NCJ-39973. 8/77 2nd ed, NCJ-76939. 2/82
of reporting to the police and no part of assisl\.!d by Millie Baldea, Tina Federal offenses and offenders Technical standards for machine-readable data
Expenditure and employment BJS special reports; supplied to BJS, NCJ·75318, 6/81
the number of crimes reported by other Dorsey, Kim Nwala, and Joyce Stan- Justice expenditure and employment, 1982 (BJS Pretrial release and misconduct, NCJ-96132,
household members was allocated to ford. Gertrude Thomas provided bulletin), NCJ·98327, 8/85 1/85
the "victim" number. sta tistical assistance. Justice expenditure and employment In the U.S.:
BJS bulletins:
1980 and 1981 extracts, NCJ-96007, 6/85
Bank robbery, NCJ·94463, 8/84
1971-79, NCJ·92596, 11/84 Federal drug law violators, NCJ-92692, 2/84
• If the proxy interview was gi;ren December 1985, NCJ-99432 1979 (linal report), NCJ-87242, 12/83
Federal/ustice statistics, NCJ·80814. 3/82
because the victim was temporarily
10 oU,S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: lQ/:P;- 4(11-~14t400(l5 II
 ---------~----------------------------------

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