Dark figure of crime

For the South Korean film, see Dark Figure of Crime (film).

First coined by Belgian sociologist and criminologist Adolphe Quetelet in the 19th century, ^[1] the dark figure of crime, hidden figure of crime, or latent criminality ^{[2] [3]} is the amount of unreported, undetected, or undiscovered crime, ^[4] and is a central concept of victimology, highlighting the limitations of solely relying upon official crime statistics. Crime may go unreported for various reasons, such as a victim being unaware that a crime occurred, personal dynamics with the perpetrator, perceived social stigma, distrust of the police, or fear of retaliation. ^[5]

Methodology

The gap between reported and unreported crimes calls the accuracy and completeness of crime data, calling the reliability of official crime statistics into question. The analysis of multiple sources of crime data is thus necessary to adjust for this discrepancy.

All measures of crime have a dark figure to some degree. Comparisons between official statistics, such as the Uniform Crime Reports and the National Incident-Based Reporting System, and victim studies, such as the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), attempt to provide an insight into the amount of unreported crime. ^{[6] [7]}

Self-report studies are also used in comparison with official statistics and organized datasets to assess the dark of crime. ^[4]

By type

Further information: Under-reporting § Crime

The gap in official statistics is largest for less serious crimes. ^[4]

Estimates of sexual violence from victim surveys differ from sexual violence crime statistics reported by law enforcement. ^[8]

See also

• Fear of crime
• There are unknown unknowns

References

1. Quetelet, Adolphe (1984). Recherches sur le penchant au crime aux différents âges[Research on the propensity for crime at different ages] (in French). Translated by Sylvester, Research on the propensity for crime at different ages. Cincinnati, Ohio: Anderson Publishing Company. ISBN   9780870847493.
2. Ellis H. Crime and Control in the English Speaking Caribbean: A Comparative Study of Jamaica, Trinidad, Tobago and Barbados, 1960-1980 // Crime and Control in Comparative Perspectives, edited by Heiland, Shelley, and Katoh. – 1992. – p. 131-161
3. Oloruntimehin O. Crime and control in Nigeria // Crime and control in comparative perspectives. – 1992. – p. 163-188.
4. Walsh, Anthony; Hemmens, Craig (2014). Introduction to Criminology: A Text/Reader (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. ISBN   978-1-4522-5820-1.
5. VanderPyl, Taryn; Matsuda, Mauri; Moreno, Jenny; Sobolewski, Curt (2024). Introduction to Criminology. Open Oregon Educational Resources.
6. Maxfield, Michael G.; Weiler, Barbara Luntz; Widom, Cathy Spatz (2000). "Comparing Self-Reports and Official Records of Arrests". Journal of Quantitative Criminology. 16 (1): 87–110. doi:10.1023/a:1007577512038. S2CID   140785017.
7. Biderman, Albert D.; Lynch, James P.; Peterson, James L. (1991). Understanding Crime Incidence Statistics: Why the UCR Diverges from the NCS. New York, NY: Springer.
8. Ingemann-Hansen, Ole; Sabroe, Svend; Brink, Ole; Knudsen, Maiken; Charles, Annie Vesterbye (2009). "Characteristics of victims and assaults of sexual violence – Improving inquiries and prevention". Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 16 (4): 182–188. doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2008.07.004. PMID   19329073.

Further reading

• Moore, S. (1996). Investigating Crime and Deviance. Harpers Collins. ISBN   0-00-322439-2, pages 211–220.
• Coleman, C., & Moynihan, J. (1996). Understanding crime data: haunted by the dark figure. Open University Press. ISBN   0-335-19519-9.