Defining, Classifying and Measuring Crime

What is crime?

A violation of criminal law.

Deviance

Violation of a social norm.

Delinquency

Crimes committed by young people.

Crimes against the Person

Includes assault, homicide, and battery.

Crimes against Property

Includes burglary, embezzlement, and motor vehicle theft.

Crimes against Public Order

Includes disturbing the peace and public intoxication.

Crimes against The State

Includes treason and espionage.

Corporate Crimes

Crimes such as toxic waste dumping and price-fixing.

Criminology

The scientific study and understanding of crime and criminal behavior.

Criminal Justice

The study of the three major parts of the criminal justice system: policing, courts, and corrections.

Mala Prohibita

Acts that are bad because they have been prohibited.

Mala in Se

Acts that are inherently bad, with widespread consensus on their prohibition.

Gemeinschaft

Simple, communal societies characterized by normative consensus.

Gesellschaft

Complex societies that are individualistic and heterogeneous.

Consensus View of Crime

Crime is functional and there is an agreement on what is wrong.

Conflict View of Crime

The law is a tool of the ruling class to protect the status quo.

Top 10 Crime of the past 100+ Years

Includes significant events such as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and the Holocaust.

UCR

Uniform Crime Reports, official crime statistics published by the FBI.

The Dark Figure

Crimes not reported to the police.

NIBRS

National Incident Based Reporting System, providing detailed crime information.

Victimization Surveys

National Crime Victimization Survey, gathering data on crime from victims.

Self-Report Surveys

Surveys allowing the public to report crime and express opinions.