CH. 3 - Nature and Extent of Crime in Canada

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the nature and extent of crime in Canada, including statistics, public perception, data sources, and factors influencing crime rates.

What is the estimated number of homicides in Canada each year?

743 homicides

What are the four major influences on public attitudes regarding criminal activity?

Personal knowledge, mass media, political influences, and age.

How do most Canadians perceive crime rates?

They tend to overestimate the incidence of violent crime.

What does the mass media contribute to public perceptions of crime?

It may distort perceptions and create 'moral panics'.

What are the three primary sources of official crime data in Canada?

The police, the judicial system, and the corrections system.

What is operationalization in criminology?

Defining criminological concepts in a way that they can be scientifically observed and measured.

Why is counting crime important?

It provides insights into societal conditions and helps identify at-risk groups.

What is the crime funnel concept?

It illustrates how the number of criminal cases decreases as they progress through the criminal justice system.

What is the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR)?

Official data source where police report crime rates in Canada.

What changes occurred in crime data collection in Canada in 1984?

Revisions included adding arson and mischief to property crimes and enabling better record-keeping of multiple offenses.

What does the Crime Severity Index (CSI) consider?

It takes into account the severity and frequency of crimes.

What dramatic change occurred in crime severity after 2014?

Crime severity increased after a decline.

What reporting practices are standardized in UCR stats?

Centralized reporting by police agencies using the same methodologies.

What weaknesses exist in the UCR reporting practices?

Many crimes go unreported, and variations exist in police reporting.

What types of crimes are often underreported due to observational bias?

Non-violent, corporate, and environmental crimes.

What are some reasons people might not report crimes?

The incident was too minor, thought it was personal, or didn't want to hassle with police.

How do police reporting practices vary?

They can depend on the relationship between victim and perpetrator and the social status of victims.

What do self-report surveys focus on?

They focus mainly on youth crime and personal offending behavior.

What advantages do general social surveys have?

They include unreported crimes and utilize careful sampling techniques.

What age group is most overrepresented in property and violent crimes?

The youth ages 15-24.

What demographic factor greatly influences crime statistics?

Gender—most crimes are committed and experienced by men.

What is the relationship between Indigenous people and crime rates?

Indigenous people are more likely to be victims of crime and have police contact.

How can economy impact crime rates?

Economic stability may decrease crime, while instability may increase it.

What societal issues may affect crime rates?

Single-parent families, dropout rates, and drug use.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect domestic violence rates?

It caused a 17% increase in homicides.

What online crimes saw an increase during the pandemic?

Identity theft (+120%) and online child sexual exploitation (+173%).

What are some common patterns in crime statistics?

Time of day, season, climate, and population density.

How does social class correlate with crime rates?

Higher crime rates are reported among lower-income classes.

What issue complicates detecting white-collar crime?

Suite crimes (white-collar crimes) are harder to detect compared to street crimes.

What is desistance in relation to age and crime?

The inverse relationship where older age correlates with a decrease in offending.

What therapy can help reduce recidivism?

Multisystemic therapy.

What are expressive and instrumental crimes?

Expressive crimes are those of violence, while instrumental crimes relate to property.

What impacts do emotional and psychological factors have on crime?

They influence criminal behavior and decisions.

What new types of crime emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Cybercrimes, especially concerning online exploitation.