NCJ Number
224265
Journal
International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: Autumn 2008 Pages: 255-266
Date Published
2008
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study attempts to review what is known about the nature and effectiveness of crime investigation policy in Japan through an assessment of crime clearance and criminal rates.
Abstract
Major findings of the study show that: (1) the crime rate in Japan declined steadily between 1945 and 1975, but increased again from 1975 to 2003, accelerating from 1985, with a sharp rise from 1995, and then began to descend from 2003; (2) considerably better clearance rates were achieved between 1945 and 1985, but clearance rates dropped suddenly in 1985 and continued to be sluggish; (3) and the criminal rate has shown a decline during the decades since 1945. Conclusions drawn from the results of the study include: (1) there is a misdirected target-setting policy for crime investigation which aggravates the crime rate; (2) an inefficient training program for replacement detectives to improve their performance induces a drop in the clearance rate; and (3) the objective of minimizing citizens’ fear of crime depends on efficient crime investigation by experienced, expert detectives based on best practice at the crime scene, resulting in the arrest of offenders. Implications of the study are discussed. Crime investigations are successfully solved largely by the detectives’ expertise. In addition, detectives’ experience and workload have a decisive impact on offense clearances. It is significant that concerns about detective expertise in crime investigation coincide with a rapid worsening in crime statistics in Japan, based on a legitimate perception of its previous low crime rate. This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of crime investigation policy by crime, clearance, and criminal rates, analyzed using data published by the Japanese Government. Figures and references