Item 1

Examine the past 10 years of crime data in the Uniform Crime Report (UCR) and the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). Identify three crime trends from the data (2–4 paragraphs).

Ø  Analyze crime and victimization data to identify crime trends.

Ø  Response includes a clear explanation of three crime/victimization trends from the past decade identified from the UCR and/or NCVS databases

Item 2

What are the strengths and weaknesses of each data source (the UCR and NCVS databases)? Consider their accuracy, coverage, applicability, collection methods, and any other characteristic you think is important to consider. Explain at least two strengths and two weaknesses of the databases (2–3 paragraphs).

Ø  Explain the strengths of the UCR and NCVS databases.

Ø  Response provides an explanation of at least two strengths of the databases. The explanation demonstrates thorough consideration of research design, collection techniques, dissemination strategies, and applicability within the field.

Item 3

What criminological explanations for your identified crime trends can be derived from the UCR and/or NCVS databases? Describe at least two. Then provide an argument for other factors and variables (biological, social, structural, economic, etc.) that cause or influence your identified crime trends that are not present in the UCR/NCVS data. Reference theoretical and scholarly resources that support your criminological explanations (3–5 paragraphs).

Ø  Infer criminological explanations from UCR/NCVS data.

Provide an argument for other factors and variables (biological, social, structural, economic, etc.) that cause or influence your identified crime trends that are not present in the UCR/NCVS data. Reference theoretical and scholarly resources that support your criminological explanations.

Ø  Justify causal variables related to crime trends.

N.B: Access the Uniform Crime Report and National Crime Victimization Survey databases. Provide a citation for each resource you used to write your response to this Assessment.