NCJ Number
8889
Date Published
Unknown
Length
115 pages
Annotation
INVESTIGATION OF THE CRIME OF LARCENY-THEFT FOCUSING ON ITS ACCURACY AS A CRIME STATISTIC.
Abstract
THE STUDY USED DATA FROM THE DETROIT, MICHIGAN POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEARS 1965 AND 1969. THE DATA USED INCLUDED INFORMATION ON THE NATURE OF THE LARCENY-THEFT, EACH ITEM REPORTED STOLEN AND ANY VALUATION OF IT, THE AGGREGATE VALUATION OF THE LARCENY THEFT, THE STATUS OF THE VICTIM, AND THE LOCATION OF THE INCIDENT. THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT CONCLUSION IS THAT THE DATA ARE OF DUBIOUS INFORMATION ON LARCENY-THEFT ARE DEFICIENT. THE REPORT ALSO CONCLUDES THAT THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION ON CLASSIFICATION BY VALUE OF PROPERTY STOLEN ARE UNCERTAIN. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT UNTIL A MORE ACCURATE SCHEME OF VALUATION IS DEVELOPED, THE VALUE OF THE GOODS STOLEN SHOULD BE DISREGARDED IN A SYSTEM OF LARCENY-THEFT REPORTING. (AUTHOR MODIFIED)