Finding Statistics: Crime

Statistics can help provide concrete examples of a larger trend, give the basis for an important chart or graph, or make theoretical arguments tangible.

There are two main branches of statistics:

• Descriptive--concerns the numerical or quantitative data alone, and can help draw conclusions about a sample, rather than a population.
• Inferential--concerns the conclusions drawn about an entire population which are infered through the results of a random sampling of a population

Be aware of bias in statistics! Numbers can be manipulated, and charts and graphs can be arranged to give a certain impression. Always double-check your facts!

Crime

If you're looking for national crime statistics, these are some places to start your research. Consider visiting your state or city websites to look for more specific information.

• U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics 
  Statistics about: Crime and victims, Drugs and crime, Criminal offenders, The justice system in the United States, Law enforcement, Prosecution, Courts and sentencing, Corrections, Justice expenditure, and employment.
• Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) 
  Published by the FBI, includes statistics on crime in the United States, Hate Crimes, Law Enforcement officers killed and assaulted, etc.
• Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics (University of Albany)

  Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics - The Sourcebook contains statistics in the following areas: Criminal Justice Characteristics, Public Opinion, "Crime, Victims," "Arrests, Seizures," "Courts, Prosecution, Sentencing," and "Parole, Jails, Prisons, Death Penalty."

Human Trafficking