NCJ Number
211692
Journal
Homicide Studies Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2005 Pages: 324-349
Date Published
November 2005
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This study compared the two main sources of race-specific homicide rates--the FBI Age, Sex, and Race Record Cards (ASR) and the FBI Uniform Crime Report Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHR)--with a focus on Black homicide rates.
Abstract
Researchers assessed ASR and SHR homicide data to determine the likelihood that either or both could be used as a valid indicator of race-specific homicide rates in cities. ASR data, being based on arrests, do not include homicides not cleared by arrest; whereas, the SHR data are based on all homicide incidents known to police and thus include cases that have not been solved or cleared by arrest. The specific questions addressed are whether ASR and SHR race-specific rates are sufficiently similar to indicate the same underlying phenomenon; which data are more likely to be a valid indicator of race-specific homicide among cities when the ASR and SHR differ; whether efforts are adequate in adjusting for cases where the offenders are unknown; and whether using only cases where there is one offender and one victim greatly influences the relative position of cities regarding race-specific homicides. The author concludes that the most important finding of this research is that ASR and SHR race-specific homicide rates cannot both be valid indicators of Black homicide rates in cities. SHR data are more often likely to be valid indicators of Black homicide rates. It is recommended that analysts stop using ASR data until police agencies are more careful in recording and reporting these data. 6 tables and 41 references