NCJ Number
15530
Journal
American Sociological Review Volume: 39 Issue: 6 Dated: (DECEMBER 1974) Pages: 854-864
Date Published
1974
Length
11 pages
Annotation
COMPARISON OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AND THE SELLIN-WOLFGANG INDEXES FOR REPORTED CRIMES IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE 1960-72 PERIOD.
Abstract
THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI) CRIME INDEX IS COMPUTED AS THE RAW SUM OF POLICE REPORTS OF THE SEVEN INDEX CRIMES (CRIMINAL HOMICIDE, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, FORCIBLE RAPE, ROBBERY, BURGLARY, LARCENY OF FIFTY DOLLARS OR MORE, AND AUTO THEFT). THE SELLIN-WOLFGANG INDEX CHARACTERIZES EACH CRIMINAL EVENT BY INJURY INTIMIDATION, AND PROPERTY COMPONENT SCORES. IT IS SHOWN THAT BECAUSE OF THE HIGH CORRELATION AMONG THE REPORTED INDEX CRIMES, THE SELLIN-WOLFGANG INDEX IS ALMOST PERFECTLY LINEARLY RELATED TO THE FBI INDEX. THEREFORE, IT PROVIDES LITTLE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO A NATIONAL CRIME INDEX. THE USE OF A DOLLAR INDEX TO COMPUTE THE SERIOUSNESS OF PERSONAL CRIMES IS ALSO EXPLORED.