Measuring Crime
Measuring Crime

Author(s): Adriana Iulian Stancu
Subject(s): Criminal Law
Published by: Societatea de Stiinte Juridice si Administrative
Keywords: crime; criminal law; contemporary criminology; victim;
Summary/Abstract: Questions about how crime is measured and what those measurements reveal about the nature and extent of crime are among the most important issues in contemporary criminology. Researchers, theorists, and practitioners need information in order to explain and prevent crime and to operate agencies that deal with the crime problem. It is extremely difficult, however, to gather accurate information. Because of these difficulties, it is necessary for students of criminology to understand how data are collected, what they mean, and whether they are useful. After we look at the objectives and methods of collecting information, we will consider the limitations of the three information sources criminologists most frequently use to estimate the nature and extent of crime. We then explore measurement of the characteristics of crimes, criminals, and victims.

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