AC1.6 - Evaluate methods of collecting statistics about crime(A+ graded 100% verified)

AC1.6 - Evaluate methods of collecting statistics about crime(A+ graded 100% verified)The social construction of crime statistics about crime: - Official statistics are not true and accurate reflection of the reality of actual levels of crime in society. But rather are a consequence of a series of processes that an event/crime goes through in order to become a statistic or not. For instance rape is drastically under reported. So the official statistics we have on rape crime are not a true reflection of the exact amount of rape in society - you can say rape statistics are socially constructed. Methods of tracking trends in crime: - There are 2 widely known methods of measuring trends in crime: Recorded crime statistics collected by the Home office Information collected by the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) Police recorded crime: - Home office provide police recorded crime (PRC) in tables that state: the offence;area;time. CSEW: - This is a victim survey that asks a sample of the population about their experience of crime. It includes: Crimes against household Crimes against adults Crimes experienced by children Crimes against society Crimes against businesses It is seen as more accurate than just asking people about what crimes they have reported to the police. It also includes information about the relationship between the victim and offender. Methods of collecting crime statistics and reliability: - Reliability means that you should get the same or similar results if you use the same method again. Statistics have their limitations and no source can tell us the complete picture. However because the CSEW has to consider crimes, not reported to the police it may be more reliable. Validity of crime statistics: - Validity means truthfulness. So in terms of crime statistics and validity, do crime statistics accurately measure what they are supposed to measure. Are they exact, truthful and foolproof? Some criminologists believe that crime statistics are just the result of a series of processes statistics go through to become statistics. For instance not all offences are reported and the categories for some crimes may change over time e.g. hate crime which was sexual harassment. Ethics for collecting statistics: - Collection of crime statistics has to be done in a standardised way e.g. there are differences between serious sexual assault and rape. So categories need to be applied. Furthermore there needs to be: A right to privacy A right to confidentiality Informed consent CSEW is entirely confidential. Details are not passed on. CSEW: Strengths - Include reported and unreported Identifies those most at risk, so informs crime prevention schemes Looks at a large sample of participants CSEW: Limitations - Does not ask every member of the public Fails to capture victimless crimes such as drug selling and hidden crimes such as domestic abuse Relies on the accuracy of the victims memory Home office: Strengths - Police can use the information provided to detect crimes Nationwide Collected in a standardised way Home office: Limitations - Police do not record all crime reported to them Victims may be reluctant to speak about crime and being a victim out of fear, embarrassment Police recorded crime does not contain details on unreported crime