Typologies and Patterns of Crime

uniform crime report (UCR) typology

classifies crimes into violent crime, property crime, other crime, traffic crimes, etc.

typologies and classification systems

used by criminologists to apply a systematic and objective approach to studying crime

street crime/blue collar crime

more common types of property and minor violent crime

suite crime

financial and occupational crimes commited by those with status or power

white collar crime

crimes commited by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of their occupation for their own benefit

corporate crime

crimes commited by a person of respectability and high social status for the benefit of their business or corporation involving harmful practices such as fraud, embezzlement, and violations of regulations.

homicide

an umbrella term for one human killing another

first degree murder

planed and deliberate murder

second degree murder

intentional but lacks pre planning, may occur in the heat of the moment

manslaughter

non intentional homicide resulting from intoxication, recklessness, or negligence

serial murder

killing several victims in three or more SEPERATE EVENTS

mass murder

killing more than three people in a SINGLE EVENT

level one sexual assualt

least serious, involving unwanted touching and/or fondling

level two sexual assault

sexual assault that involves weapons or some type of bodily harm

level three sexual assault

most serious, involves long term physical injuries such as maiming, wounding, or disfigurement

level one assault (simple assault)

-least serious,

-punching, shoving, or threats by act/gesture,

-no bodily harm required

level two assault

offender uses a weapon or causes harm e.g black eyelev

level three assault (aggravated assault)

-most serious

-occurs when the offender seriously wounds, maims, or disfigures the victim

robbery

an offender uses force or violence (or threats) during the commision of theft

commercial robbers

-targets businesses like banks

-tends to do more planning and research

-less impulsive

street robbers

more likely to use force and act based on opportunities

breaking and entering

-formerly known as burglary

-involves entering someone’s property with the intention of commiting an indictable offence (theft or property destruction)

minor theft

theft of property up to 5000

major theft

theft of property over 5000

fraud

special category of theft involving deception or trickey to gain material benefits

identity fraud

offender uses a person’s personal information to make purchases or evade law enforcement

crimes classified as violent crimes

homicide, sexual assault, assault, robbery, etc.

crimes classified as non-violent crimes

breaking and entering, theft, fraud, etc.

crimes classified as crimes of morality and public order

prostitution, drug use, etc.

organized crime

-a group or three or more people whose purpose is the commsion of one or more serious offences that would likely result. in the direct or indirect receipt of material benefit including financial benefit, by the group

-most commonly involved in drug and trafficking, but human trafficking and computer-based crime have become increasingly commoninvolved in illegal activities repeatedly for profit.

hate crime

-crime to promote hatred against any group by making a public statement

-not easily classified as violent or non-violentdue to the motivation behind the crime, which targets individuals based on attributes such as race, religion, or sexual orientation.

-hate crimes can result in both psychological harm and physical violence.

crime patterns during the 1950’s

-low crime rates

-society felt relatively safe with easy economic opportunities and newfound wealth in North America

crime patterns during the 1960’s

-rising crime and unrest

-crime rates began to climb alongside social and political unrest

crime patterns during the 1980’s and 1990’s

-derease in crime rates

-rates increased throughout the 1980’s, then surprisingly decreased significantly in the 1990’s

-stricter gun-control laws, more jobs, more economic opportunities, access to abortion, impact of the internet-crime rates fell sharply due to various social and economic changes, including improved law enforcement tactics and community programs

crime patterns in the recent years

-increases in certain crimes, mostly property related, partially attributing to growing political and social unrest