Criminal Justice Data, Essay Example

Criminal justice data is one of the most delicate data that need collection in a precise intelligent manner. Three methods exist in obtaining the criminal data use of the official data, use of the victim data, and the use of the self-report data. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages while some method could give sufficient and efficient data.

Official data is secondary data derived from records of previously occurred crimes. The criminal justice agencies possess data regarding convictions and arrests. The Uniform Crime Reports of the FBI is currently the most efficient and outstanding source of official criminal justice data.

The victim data derived from interrogative surveys that seek to find out people’s experiences with crime, and if an individual has been a victim of crime. The National Crime victimization Surveys provide the most efficient victim data in the US. The data helps in understanding crimes that occurred but never revealed; thus, they do not exist in the official data reports.

There is the self-report data that deal with the individual. They seek to find out of the personal character, behavior, values, and attitudes. The individuals asked if they have ever been victims of crime, and they could reveal their own criminal activities. In the US, an example is the Monitoring the Future Survey that offers relevant data to understand the trend of drug use and substance abuse amongst the juveniles.

Of the three methods, the best method is the official data as the other two methods bound to biasness. Individuals are likely to give false information regarding their experience with crime, or reporting themselves as crime victims. A sense of insecurity felt while giving a self-report as individuals would seek to protect themselves.

Reference

Catalano, S. M. (2006). The measurement of crime: victim reporting and police recording. New York: LFB Scholarly Pub.