Criminal Justice in Action The Core.docx

Criminal Justice in Action The Core MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. Since its inception in 1930, the ____ has attempted to measure the overall rate of crime in the United States by organizing "crimes known to the police." a. National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) b. National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) c. Self-report surveys d. Uniform Crime Report (UCR) ANS: D 2. The Uniform Crime Report (UCR) reports on three measurements. Which of the following is NOT one of them? a. The number of persons arrested b. The number of crimes reported by victims, witnesses, or the police themselves c. The number of officers and support law enforcement specialists d. The number of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents that compile the UCR ANS: D 3. The UCR is prepared annually by: a. The United States Census Bureau b. The Department of Homeland Security c. The Federal Bureau of Investigation d. The United States Secret Service ANS: C 4. When the UCR presents crime data as a rate, they are reporting: a. The amount of crime per 100,000 people b. The amount of change that has occurred since the previous year c. The total number of crimes d. The frequency with which a particular crime is committed within a 24 hour period ANS: A 5. The UCR is comprised of agency data which represents __________ of the American population. a. 95% b. 88% c. 76% d. 65% ANS: A 6. Which of the following is a Part II offense? a. Driving under the influence b. Burglary c. Arson d. Motor vehicle theft ANS: A REF: p. 38 7. Which of the following is a Part I offense? a. Driving under the influence b. Embezzlement c. Drug abuse violations d. Larceny/theft ANS: D 8. Supporters report that ____ gives victims a voice in the criminal justice process. a. National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) b. National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) c. Self-report surveys d. The Uniform Crime Report (UCR) ANS: B REF: p. 39 9. ____ is a phrase used to describe the actual amount of crime that takes place. a. “Hidden figure of crime” b. “Dark prediction of crime” c. “Dark figure of crime” d. “Hidden prediction of crime” ANS: C REF: p. 38 -3 10. In what form of data collection are persons asked directly, through personal interviews or questionnaires or over the telephone, about specific criminal activity to which they may have been a party? a. National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) b. National Victimization Survey (NCVS) c. Self-report surveys d. Uniform Crime Report (UCR) ANS: C REF: p. 39 11. The “dark figure of crime” appears to be: a. Much higher than suggested by the UCR b. Much lower than suggested by the UCR c. Slightly lower than suggested by the UCR d. Consistent with the UCR ANS: A REF: p. 38 -3 12. In the twentieth century crime declined most between ______. a. 1930-1940 b. 1990-2000 c. 1950-1960 d. 1970-1980 ANS: B REF: p. 41 13. While traditionally overlooked in criminological research, __________________ are the fastest growing minority group in the U.S. prison population. a. African Americans b. Asians c. Hispanics d. American Indians ANS: C REF: p. 44 14. The number of women in prisons and jails is ____ over time. a. Remaining stable b. Decreasing steadily c. Increasing rapidly d. Slowly increasing ANS: C REF: p. 44 15. The study of crime is referred to as ____. a. Criminal justice b. Criminology c. Psychology d. Sociology ANS: B REF: p. 45 16. Researchers who study the causes of crime are: a. Victimologists b. Criminologists c. Psychologists d. Sociologists ANS: B REF: p. 45 17. What are criminological theories primarily concerned with? a. Assisting the criminal justice professional b. Constructing grounds to explain the behavior of criminal justice professionals c. Determining the reasons behind criminal behavior d. Providing support to criminal psychologists ANS: C REF: p. 45 18. A theory is: a. A relationship between two variables in which they vary together b. An educated guess by a criminologist about the relationship between two variables c. A statement in which a variable is denoted as the cause of change in another variable d. An explanation for a phenomenon based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning ANS: D REF: p. 46 19. A proposition that can be tested by researchers to determine if it is valid is a (n): a. Hypothesis b. Scientific method c. Theory d. Correlation ANS: A REF: p. 46 20. A theory of crime in which offenders weigh the possible benefits of criminal activity against the costs of being apprehended is: a. Rational choice theory b. Social disorganization theory c. Social process theory d. Trait theory ANS: A REF: p. 46 21. According to Jack Katz, the emotional or sensual rush a criminal experiences upon the successful completion of a crime is referred to as: a. "Crime adrenalin" b. "Criminal benefit" c. "Rush sensation" d. "Seduction of crime" ANS: D REF: p. 46 22. Choice theorists believe the best way to deter crime is to: a. Increase the severity of the punishment for offending b. Provide counseling and treatment for those individuals at risk for offending c. Establish programs to strengthen communities d. Divert juvenile offenders from the criminal justice system ANS: A REF: p. 47 23. Which theory suggests that certain biological or psychological traits in individuals could incline them toward criminal behavior given a certain set of circumstances? a. Choice theory b. Social process theory c. Social structure theory d. Trait theory ANS: D REF: p. 47 24. Which of the following is NOT one of the three neurotransmitters that seem particularly related to aggressive behavior? a. Serotonin b. Norepinephrine c. Dopamine d. Estrogen ANS: D REF: p. 47 25. Shaw and McKay studied high-crime neighborhoods and discovered that these “zones” were characterized by ____, or a breakdown in schools, families, and community groups. a. Chaos b. Conflict c. Disorganization d. Disruption ANS: C REF: p. 49 26. According to ____, criminal offending is the result of interactions with parents, friends and peer groups. a. Choice theory b. Social disorganization theory c. Social process theory d. Trait theory ANS: C REF: p. 51 27. A theory that believes criminals must be taught both the practical and emotional skills necessary to participate in illegal activity. a. Labeling theory b. Learning theory c. Social process theory d. Trait theory ANS: B REF: p. 51 28. Learning theory was popularized by: a. Cesare Lombroso b. Clifford Shaw c. Edwin Sutherland d. Henry McKay ANS: C REF: p. 51 29. Social conflict theory focuses on ____ as a key component in explaining crime. a. Choice b. The community c. Learning d. Power ANS: D REF: p .51 30. What is the school of criminology that is often associated with a critique of our capitalist economic system? a. Labeling b. Social conflict c. Social disorganization d. Social process ANS: B REF: p. 51 31. According to ________________crime occurs when three factors are present: a likely offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian. a. Choice theory b. Social disorganization c. Social process theory d. Routine activity theory ANS: D REF: p. 53-54 32. To understand the basics of addiction and physical dependence, you must understand the role of _ ____________ in the brain. a. Serotonin b. Norepinephrine c. Dopamine d. Histamine ANS: C REF: p. 57 33. A delinquent or criminal who commits multiple offenses and is considered part of a small group of wrongdoers who are responsible for a majority of the antisocial activity in any given community is a: a. Constant criminal b. Chronic offender c. Constant offender d. Persistent perpetrator ANS: B REF: p. 55 34. According to Wolfgang, Figlio, and Sellin, what percent of juvenile offenders has been shown to be responsible for a disproportionate amount of violent crime? a. 6% b. 10% c. 14% d. 80% ANS: A REF: p. 55 35. A chronic offender is also referred to as a ____. a. Career criminal b. Constant criminal c. Chronic victim d. Persistent perpetrator ANS: A REF: p. 55 CASES Case 2-1 Tina’s mother bought Tina a new pair of jeans when she received all A’s on her report card. Jane was jealous that Tina got new jeans because she wanted the same pair of jeans. But, Jane’s parents were not able to afford them. One day, Jane skipped school and broke into Tina’s house when she knew no one would be home. Jane took the jeans from Tina’s bedroom and left the house. 36. What category of crime did Jane commit? a. Violent crime b. Property crime c. Public Order crime d. White-collar crime ANS: B REF: p. 33 OBJ: LO 1 37. What crime did Jane commit? a. Assault b. Burglary c. Fraud d. Robbery ANS: B REF: p. B OBJ: LO 1 38. Jane’s mother says that she is not surprised that Jane committed this crime. Jane’s uncle is a criminal who has committed many crimes, ranging from larceny to assault. He is now in prison for the crime of robbery. However, prior to his incarceration he spent the entire summer with Jane while Jane’s mother was at work. What theory would explain Jane’s crime if she was taught the skills to participate in crime by her uncle? a. Strain theory b. Social disorganization theory c. Learning theory d. Control theory ANS: C REF: p. 51 39. Imagine that Jane did not get caught for this crime and she continues to commit crimes through her teenage years and into her early twenties. Researchers believe she is part of a small group of wrongdoers who is responsible for a majority of the crime in her community. Jane can be labeled as a: a. Constant criminal b. Chronic offender c. Career offender d. Persistent perpetrator ANS: B REF: 55 40. Jane and her family moved to a new apartment in a high-crime neighborhood. The community has higher high school drop-out rates, vast unemployment, and many single-parent families. Jane starts committing even more crime. What theory would best explain Jane’s criminal behavior? a. Strain theory b. Social disorganization theory c. Learning theory d. Control theory ANS: B REF: p. 49 Case 2-2 Mayor Smith is the newly elected mayor of Anytown, USA. He is concerned with the increasing crimes rates in his city. He schedules a meeting with the Chief Gomez, who has been the chief of the police department since 1990. He plans to discuss crime trends and ways to collect data to be able to measure the overall crime rate in Anytown, USA. 41. Mayor Smith asks Chief Gomez if there is an annual report compiled to give an indication about how much criminal activity there is in Anytown, USA. He also wants to compare Anytown’s crime rates to other cities in the United States of the same population. Chief Gomez explains that the U.S. Department of Justice releases such a report. What is the name of this report that Chief Gomez is talking about? a. NCVS b. Self-report surveys of criminals c. UCR d. NIBRS ANS: C 42. Mayor Smith asks what specific information is measured by this report. Chief Gomez explains that the report measures all of the following except: a. The number of persons arrested. b. The number of crimes reported by victims, witnesses, or the police themselves. c. The number of law enforcement officers. d. The number of persons convicted of crimes. ANS: D REF: p.36 May 43. Chief Gomez explains that the report is divided into two major categories: Part I and Part II offenses. Mayor Smith asks the difference between the two reports. Chief Gomez explains that Part I offenses are more serious offenses. Chief Gomez gives the mayor examples of Part I offenses. Which of the following would not be considered a Part I offense. a. Aggravated assault b. Drug abuse violations c. Motor vehicle theft d. Robbery ANS: B REF: p. 37 44. Chief Gomez asks Mayor Smith if he has any further questions. Mayor Smith asks the chief how they know the true number of crimes if there are people who do not report crimes to the police and the police never become aware of the crime. Chief Gomez explains that this is known as the: a. “Hidden figure of crime” b. “Dark prediction of crime” c. “Dark figure of crime” d. “Hidden prediction of crime” ANS: C REF: p. 38 45. Mayor Smith asks Chief Gomez how crime rates have changed since he became the chief of police in 1990. Which of the following statements is most likely to be true of crime trends in Anytown, USA if they are the same as national crime trends? a. Total crime rates dropped in Anytown, USA from 1990 to 2000 b. Total crime rates increased in Anytown, USA from 1990 to 2000 c. The homicide rate dropped but the burglary rate increased from 1990 to 2000 d. The burglary rate dropped but the auto theft rate increased from 1990 to 2000 ANS: A REF: 41 TRUE/FALSE 1. Robbery is the unlawful entry of a structure with the intention of committing a serious crime such as theft. ANS: F REF: 33 OBJ: LO 1 2. Assault and battery are the same crime. ANS: F REF: 33 OBJ: LO 1 3. Robbery is considered a violent crime. ANS: T REF: 33 OBJ: LO 1 4. Gambling is considered to be a white-collar crime. ANS: F REF: 34 OBJ: LO 1 5. The UCR presents crime data collected annually from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. ANS: T 6. UCR crime rates are expressed per 10,000 people. ANS: F 7. There are seven Part II offenses listed in the UCR. ANS: F REF: p. 37-38 8. Part I offenses are recorded by the FBI to give a general idea of the “crime picture” in the United States. ANS: T 9. Victim surveys are used to collect data from criminals and victims of crime. ANS: F REF: p. 37 10. The dark figure of crime refers to those offenses that are committed, but are unknown to the police. ANS: T REF: p. 38 11. UCR Part I offenses include attempted as well as completed crimes. ANS: T -37 OBJ: LO2 12. There are potentially criminal penalties for subjects who admit to criminal activity in a self-report survey. ANS: F REF: p. 39 13. Crime is an overwhelmingly male activity. ANS: T REF: p. 44 14. A correlation between variables means that one variable causes change in another variable. ANS: F REF: p. 45 15. There are currently no theories that associate physical characteristics with criminality. ANS: F REF: p. 45-46 16. Trait theorists believe that crime is best addressed by punishing criminal offenders. ANS: F REF: p. 47 17. Research shows that serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is related to aggressive behavior. ANS: T REF: p. 48 18. Victimology is a school of criminology that studies why certain people are the victims of crimes and the optimal role for victims in the criminal justice system. ANS: T REF: p. 53 19. All individuals are at equal risk of being victimized by crime. ANS: F REF: p. 53 20. As a reaction to the research of the "chronic 6%," law enforcement agencies and district attorneys' offices have devised specific strategies to apprehend and prosecute repeat offenders. ANS: T REF: p. 55 COMPLETION 1. __________ is the act of taking property from another person through force, threat of force, or intimidation. ANS: Robbery REF: p. 33 OBJ: LO 1 2. Prostitution and gambling are examples of ____________________. ANS: Public Order Crimes REF: p. 33-34 OBJ: LO 1 Victimless crimes 3. _______________describes an illegal act or series of acts committed by an individual or business entity using some nonviolent means to obtain a personal or business advantage. ANS: White-collar crime REF: p. 34 OBJ: LO 1 4. The Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) are compiled by the __________. ANS: FBI 5. Part II offenses are measured only by __________ data. ANS: arrest REF: p. 37 6. __________ allow the victims of crime to speak directly to crime experts about their experiences. ANS: Victim surveys REF: p. 37 7. The ___________________________ refers to the actual amount of crime that takes place. ANS: Dark figure of crime REF: p. 38 8. __________ is more important that skin color when it comes to crime trends. ANS: Income level REF: p. 42 9. ____________ is/are researchers who study the causes of crime. ANS: Criminologists REF: p. 45 10. A _____________ is an explanation of a happening or circumstance that is based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning ANS: Theory REF: p. 46 11. A proposition that can be tested by researchers to determine if it is valid is a(n) ____________________. ANS: Hypothesis REF: p. 44 12. __________ is the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. ANS: Psychology REF: p. 47 13. A _______________ is a chemical that transmits nerve impulses between nerve cells and from nerve cells to the brain. ANS: Neurotransmitter REF: 47 14. _______________ regulates perceptions of pleasure and reward. ANS: Dopamine REF: 48 15. Strain theory has its roots in the works of Emile Durkheim and his concept of _________________. ANS: Anomie REF: 49 16. The two major branches of social process theory are learning theory and __________ theory. ANS: Control REF: 51 17. Someone with low self-control is likely to solve problems with _______________ rather than his or her intellect. ANS: Violence REF: 53 18. Medical drugs that require a physician’s permission for purchase are ________________________. ANS: Prescription drugs REF: 57 19. Criminologists believe that first-time illegal drug users go through a ___________________ in taking up the habit. ANS: Learning process REF: 56 20. __________ suggests that a lack of social control, as provided by entities such as the family or school, can lead to antisocial behavior. ANS: Control theory REF: 56 ESSAY 1. List and discuss the six different main categories of crime. ANS: Violent crimes are crimes against people. They include murder, sexual assault, assault, battery, and robbery Property crimes are the most common form of criminal activity. The goal is economic gain or the damaging or property. Property crimes include larceny, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Public order crimes are behaviors that have been labeled criminal because it is contrary to shared values, customs, and norms. They include public drunkenness, prostitution, gambling, and illegal drug use. White collar crimes are nonviolent crimes committed by business entities or individuals to gain a personal or business advantage. Organized crimes are illegal acts carried out by illegal organizations engaged in the market for illegal goods or services, such as illicit drugs or firearms. High tech crimes are the newest variation on crime and are related to the increased presence of computers in everyday life. Cybercrimes such as soliciting minors and defrauding consumers through false financial investments fall under this category. REF: p. 33-34 OBJ: LO 1 2. Describe the Uniform Crime Report (UCR). Who compiles this crime measurement source, when was it created, and what does it include? ANS: The UCR was created in 1930. The UCR has attempted to measure the overall rate of crime in the United States by organizing "crimes known to the police." The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) relies on voluntary participation of local law enforcement agencies. Three basic measurements include number of persons arrested; number of crimes reported by victims, witnesses, or police themselves; and number of officers and support law enforcement specialists. -37 3. What is meant by "the dark figure of crime?” Are there sources that help to reveal this "dark figure?” ANS: ? The “dark figure of crime” is used to describe the actual amount of crime that takes place. ? The "figure" is "dark," or impossible to detect, because a great number of crimes are never reported to the police. ? Victim surveys help reveal the actual amount of crime that occurs (not reported to police). ? For reasons of shame, embarrassment, lack of knowledge about the crime, or fear of reprisal, a victim may not report a crime to police, thus causing "the dark figure of crime" to exist. ? Higher victimization rates are revealed through victimization surveys than through the UCR, indicating the existence of "the dark figure of crime." REF: p. 37-38 4. Compare and contrast Part I and Part II crimes of the UCR Reports. ANS: Part I offenses are crimes reported by the FBI in the UCR and include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft Part I offenses are measured because of their seriousness and frequency. They give the FBI the crime picture in the U.S. The majority of Part I offenses committed are property crimes. Part II offenses include misdemeanors and felonies. Part II offenses far outweigh Part I offenses. Part II offenses are only measured by arrest data. Part II offenses include drug abuse violations, driving under the influence, fraud, vandalism, prostitution, gambling, and many more. REF: p. 37-38 5. Compare and contrast victim surveys and self-reported surveys ANS: Victim’s surveys are a method of gathering crime data that directly surveys participants to determine their experiences as victims of crime. The first large scale victims survey took place in 1966. Victim surveys indicate the “dark figure of crime” in that they get information on crimes not reported to police. The U.S. Census Bureau now conducts an annual survey titled the NCVS which questions participants about their experiences with crimes. NCVS gives victims a voice in the criminal justice process. Self-reported surveys are a method of gathering crime data that relies on participants to reveal and detail their own criminal or delinquent behavior. They are most useful in situations in which the group to be studied is already gathered in an institutional setting. There is no penalty for admitting to criminal activity in a self-reported survey so subjects are forthcoming in discussing their behavior Self-report surveys reveal a much larger dark figure of crime than the UCR or NCVS. REF: p. 37-39 6. Discuss recent crime trends and the reasons for rate variation. ANS: The UCR, NCVS, as well as other statistical methods only represent some of the true crime rates More information is available on crime today than any time in the past When interpreting and predicting crime trends experts usually focus on three reasons for rate variation. These include imprisonment, youth population and the economy. Starting in 1994 the U.S. experienced a steep crime decline despite predictions saying otherwise Specifically from 1990 to 2000 homicide rates, robbery rates, burglary rates and auto theft rates declined In the early 2000s the crime rate flattened before resuming a downward trend As of 2011 property and violent crime rates had declined to their lowest levels since the early 1970s REF: p. 40-42 7. Discuss how race, ethnicity and poverty are related to crime. ANS: Young black males are disproportionately represented of homicide offenders and victims. Official crime data indicates a strong correlation between minority status and crime. Race is a controversial area in the criminal justice Race may not be as strong a predictor to criminal behavior as neighborhood and family conditions. Income level is more important than race when it comes to crime trend Lack of education also seems to correlate with criminal behavior It is important to note however, that poverty does not cause crime Most crime research seems to focus on white or blacks and not ethnic or cultural background This will change in the future as the Hispanic population will account for 1/3 of the U.S. population by 2050 REF: p. 42-44 8. Discuss the difference between a hypothesis and a theory in the context of criminology. Why is the scientific method an important part of criminology? ANS: ? A hypothesis is a possible explanation for an observed occurrence that can be tested by further investigation. ? A theory is an explanation of a happening or circumstance that is based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning. ? If criminologists find a hypothesis to be valid, it may be accepted as a theory. This process is known as the scientific method. ? Scientific method allows criminologists to systematically and scientifically explore the validity of their various explanations for criminal offending. REF: p. 45 9. Discuss Social Process theories. Include descriptions of two particular theories found within this school of criminology. ANS: ? Social process theories are a school of criminology that considers criminal behavior to be the predictable result of a person's interaction with his or her environment. ? According to these theories, everybody has the potential for wrongdoing. ? Those who act on this potential are conditioned to do so by family or peer groups or by institutions such as the media. ? Learning theory is the hypothesis that delinquents and criminals must be taught both the practical and emotional skills necessary to partake in illegal activity. ? Labeling theory is the hypothesis that society creates crime and criminals by labeling certain behavior and certain people as deviant; the stigma that results from this social process excludes a person from the community, thereby increasing the chances that she or he will adopt the label as her or his identity and engage in a pattern of criminal behavior. REF: p. 51-53 10. Discuss Delinquency in a Birth Cohort, as published by Marvin Wolfgang, Robert Figlio, and Thorsten Sellin, including reference to the policy implications that have followed this research. ANS: ? This text established the idea of the chronic offender, or career criminal. ? This work also showed that a small group of juvenile offenders (6%) were responsible for a disproportionate amount of the violent crime attributed to a group of nearly 10,000 young males. ? Further research has supported the idea of a "chronic 6%." ? Law enforcement agencies and district attorneys' offices have devised specific strategies to apprehend and prosecute repeat offenders. ? Habitual offender laws have provided harsher sentences for repeat offenders. REF: p. 55