PUBLICATION ADVISORY

BJS Releases Report Comparing the Nation's Two Measures of Crime

      WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Justice Statistics, a division of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, today released The National Crime Victimization Survey and National Incident-Based Reporting System: A complementary picture of crime in 2021.

      This summary describes the similarities and differences between the National Crime Victimization Survey, sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System. The NCVS and NIBRS measure a set of offenses that overlap but are not identical, which leads to differences in estimates between the two data sources. The NCVS interviews victims on crimes both reported and not reported to police, while NIBRS collects data on crime recorded by law enforcement agencies. Taken together, these two measures of crime provide a more comprehensive picture of crime in the United States. The publication details the similarities and differences in the crime estimates provided by the NCVS and NIBRS.

      TITLE: The National Crime Victimization Survey and National Incident-Based Reporting
                    System: A complementary picture of crime in 2021 (NCJ 305180)

      AUTHORS: Rachel E. Morgan, Ph.D. and Erica L. Smith, BJS Statisticians

      WHERE: bjs.ojp.gov

      The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice is the principal federal agency responsible for collecting, analyzing and disseminating reliable statistics on crime and criminal justice in the United States. Alexis R. Piquero is the director.

      The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law.  More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

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OFFICE: bjs.ojp.gov
CONTACT: Tannyr Watkins at 202-532-3923 or [email protected]