For almost 80 years the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) have provided statistical data about violent and victim crimes. Although the UCR is the standard in criminal statistics, several fundamental flaws have been identified with the system.
Dark Figure Crime
The UCR only reflects data that was reported to them. This data is made up of crimes reported to police agencies, and does not include unreported, or "dark figure," crime.
Victimless Crime
The UCR only reflects crimes that directly hurt a person or property. Crimes such as prostitution are considered victimless crimes and are not reported.
Rape
Rapes reported to the UCR only include females who've been rapped, not male or same-sex rape.
Connected Crimes
Crimes that involve multiple-offense crimes are only recorded as the most severe type. For example, a murder would outweigh arson and thus a murder/arson would only be reported as a murder.
Agency Participation
It is not mandatory for an agency to report anything to the UCR. All reports to the UCR are strictly voluntary.
Writer Bio
Sean Farmer has been a professional writer since 2004. He has written many published works for various websites. Farmer is currently working towards a Doctor of Philosophy in psychology at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.