GROWTH OF CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES

• NCJ Number: 42636
• Journal: ANNNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE Volume: 432 Dated: (JANUARY 1976) Pages: 23-30
• Author(s): H E PEPINSKY
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: American Academy of Political and Social Science
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT

Annotation

THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRIME MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGY, AND THE ASUMPTIONS THAT CRIME IS UNDERREPORTED AND THAT RATES OF CRIME GENERALLY INCREASE ARE CONSIDERED THE MAJOR FACTORS IN THE CONSISTENT REPORTING OF CRIME INCREASE.

Abstract

IT IS POINTED OUT THAT EFFORTS HAVE BEEN DEVOTED TO DETECTING MORE AND MORE CRIME PREVIOUSLY UNDETECTED OR UNREPORTED. THUS, CONFUSING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INCREASED CRIME AND EXPANDED EFFORTS AT GATHERING CRIME STATISTICS. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THOSE ENGAGED IN CRIME MEASUREMENT BE GIVEN INCENTIVES TO REPORT FEWER OFFENSES. OTHERWISE, CONCLUDES THE AUTHOR, REGARDLESS OF ANY CRIME DIMINISHMENT, THE PROPHECY OF AMERICAN CRIME MEASUREMENT SPECIALISTS WILL CONTINUE TO FULFILL ITSELF IN THE