Crime Victims An Introduction to Victimology 9th Edition by Andrew Karmen – Test Bank

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Crime Victims An Introduction to Victimology 9th Edition by Andrew Karmen – Test Bank

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Chapter 02 TEST BANK

 

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. When the thirteen American colonies were settled, which of the following (in addition to religious beliefs) were the earliest penal codes based on?
   1. tort law
   2. Ben Franklin’s memoirs
   3. English common law
   4. Native American law

 

ANS:    C          LO:      1                      REF: p. 40

 

2. After the American Revolution and the adoption of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, how were crimes reconceptualized?
   1. as hostile acts directed against the authority of the government
   2. as acts that instilled public fear
   3. as acts that cost the new taxpayers money
   4. all of these

 

ANS:    A         LO:      1                      REF: p. 40

 

3. After the American Revolution, addressing the suffering of individuals in criminal matters was:
   1. foundational to the nation’s system of justice.
   2. deemed to be less important than dealing with the symbolic threat to the social order posed by lawbreakers.
   3. required of the judge in every criminal case.
   4. addressed under civil law.

 

ANS:    B          LO:      1                      REF: p. 40

 

4. After the American Revolution, the powers and responsibilities formerly exercised by crime victims were taken over by whom?
   1. victim’s families
   2. the public at large
   3. public prosecutors
   4. public defense attorneys

 

ANS:    C          LO:      1                      REF: p. 40

 

 

5. For much of America’s penal history, which of the following was not a primary goal?
   1. deterring crime through punishment
   2. rehabilitating transgressors through treatment
   3. protecting society by incapacitating dangerous persons in prisons or through executions
   4. ensuring the restoration of crime victims’ financial, emotional, and physical health

 

ANS:    D         LO:      1                      REF: p. 40

 

6. Victims may lose their opportunity to actively participate in the process of presenting their experiences to a jury due to _____.
   1. public prosecutors not calling victims as witnesses at trial
   2. prosecutors and defense attorneys settling most cases through plea negotiations
   3. judges not considering the experiences of victims as key evidence
   4. the typical unwillingness of victims to appear in court

 

ANS:    B          LO:      1                      REF: p. 41

 

7. The criminal justice system may marginalize victims even more by not _____.
   1. permitting them as witnesses at trial
   2. taking their experiences into account in sentencing
   3. informing the victim of the outcome of the case
   4. letting the victim’s family be witnesses at trial

 

ANS:    C          LO:      1                      REF: p. 41

 

8. Which groups brought renewed attention to victims?
   1. self-help advocates
   2. social scientists
   3. journalists
   4. all of these

 

ANS:    D        LO:      2                      REF: p. 41

 

9. Victims can attain a sense of empowerment and regain control over their lives through:
   1. practical assistance
   2. mutual support
   3. involvement in the criminal justice process
   4. all of these

 

ANS:    D         LO:      2                      REF: p. 49

 

10. Among the early community organizations to empower victims were _____.
    1. police benevolent groups
    2. information clearinghouses
    3. courtroom workgroups
    4. rape crisis centers and shelters for battered women

 

ANS: D                        LO:      2│3                 REF: p. 51

 

11. Who normally begins the rediscovery process by bringing attention to a problem?
    1. courts and judges
    2. police agencies
    3. visitors from other countries
    4. activists

 

ANS:    D         LO:      2│3                 REF: p. 54

 

12. The law-and-order movement raised concerns about _____.
    1. surging crime rates
    2. tolerance of too much misbehavior
    3. ‘soft on crime’ policies
    4. all of these

 

ANS:    D         LO:      2                      REF: p. 42

 

13. How many stages are in the sequential model used to examine the development of the victim’s movements?
    1. two stages
    2. three stages
    3. four stages
    4. five stages

 

ANS:    C          LO:      3                      REF: p. 54-57

 

14. Which stage in the sequential model of rediscovering victims involves the process of typification of victim categories and identifying classic cases?
    1. Stage 1
    2. Stage 2
    3. Stage 3
    4. Stage 4

 

ANS:    A         LO:      3│4                 REF: p. 55

 

15. Which stage of the sequential process of rediscovering victims involves the emergence of an opposition and development of resistance to further change?
    1. Stage 1
    2. Stage 2
    3. Stage 3
    4. Stage 4

 

ANS:    C          LO:      3│4                 REF: p. 56

 

 

16. The most common argument made by opponents in Stage 3 of the rediscovery process is which of the following?
    1. We have not gone far enough in protecting victims.
    2. We have gone too far in protecting victims.
    3. Harsher punishments are necessary to deter crime.
    4. The rights of the accused are less important than those of the victim.

 

ANS:    B          LO:      3│4                 REF: p. 56

 

17. The feminist movement focused on female victims because _____.
    1. domestic violence and rape victims failed to receive support by the criminal justice system.
    2. there was a need to develop organizations to address female victims’ needs, like safe houses
    3. women needed alternative places to seek help
    4. all of these.

 

ANS:    D         LO:      1│2                REF: p. 42-43

 

18. Children’s rights groups succeeded at _____.
    1. stricter reporting requirements of cases of suspected abuse
    2. awareness of the special needs of children as witnesses
    3. better protection and prevention services
    4. all of these.

 

ANS: D                        LO:       1│2               REF: p. 44

 

19. Sensationalism refers to how _____.
    1. politicians base their decisions on pressure from constituents
    2. criminal justice professionals expend more effort on heinous crimes
    3. the media exploits victims to earn better ratings
    4. non-profit agencies try to protect victims from their victimizers

 

ANS: C                        LO:       1│2               REF: p. 47

 

20. What is one negative effect of the attention victims receive from business?
    1. businesses tap an underserved population
    2. businesses may over-protect victims
    3. commercial exploitation
    4. publicity often worsens a problem

 

ANS:    C          LO:      1                      REF: p. 48

 

21. Stage 3 of the victim rediscovery process is marked by which of the following?
    1. the emergence of positive role models for victims
    2. a change in legislature
    3. the emergence of opposition to the victims movement
    4. the emergence of compromise by those involved

 

ANS:    C          LO:      3                      REF: p. 56

 

22. Victimologists can make their most valuable contributions during which of the following stages of the rediscovery process?
    1. Stage 1
    2. Stage 2
    3. Stage 3
    4. Stage 4

 

ANS:    D         LO:      3                      REF: p. 57

 

23. Which of the following laws mandates convicted sex offenders register with their local police department?
    1. Lee-Anne’s Law
    2. Megan’s Law
    3. Kathy’s Law
    4. Jenna’s Law

 

ANS:    B          LO:      4                      REF: p. 46

 

24. Which of the following laws mandates that community residents be notified of the arrival of formerly incarcerated sex offenders into their communities?
    1. Lee-Anne’s Law
    2. Megan’s Law
    3. Kathy’s Law
    4. Jenna’s Law

 

ANS:    B          LO:      4                      REF: p. 46

 

25. In criminal justice settings, false memory syndrome is most often associated with _____.
    1. robbery victims
    2. criminals themselves
    3. victims of the drug trade
    4. incest survivors

 

ANS:    D         LO:      2                     REF: p. 57

 

 

TRUE/FALSE

1. Robbery is classified as a street crime.
2. true b. false

ANS:    T          LO:      1                      REF: p. 40

 

2. When the thirteen American colonies were settled by immigrants from Great Britain, the earliest penal codes were based on Native American law.
3. true b. false

ANS:    F          LO:      1                      REF: p. 40

3. After the American Revolution and the adoption of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, crimes were re-conceptualized as hostile acts directed against the authority of the government.
4. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1                      REF: p. 40

 

4. After the American Revolution, the powers and responsibilities formerly exercised by crime victims were taken over by public prosecutors.
5. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1                      REF: p. 40

 

5. Victims’ demands to be restored to financial, emotional, and physical health were eventually overshadowed by the goals of deterring crime through punishment and protecting society by incapacitating dangerous persons in prisons or through execution.
6. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1│2                 REF: p. 41

 

6. One outcome of the law-and-order movement was that it raised concerns that offenders were being mistreated by police.
7. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      1│2                 REF: p. 42

 

7. In the law and order movement of the 1960s, conservative crime control advocates envisioned punishment that would be swift and sure.
8. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      1                      REF: p. 42

 

8. Some feminists view male against female crime as slowing progress towards equality of the sexes.
9. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      2                      REF: p. 43

 

9. Black and white victims have always been treated the same by the criminal justice system.
10. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      1                      REF: p. 43

 

10. Hate crimes include those motivated by the offenders’ disdain for the victims’ presumed sexual orientation.
11. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      4                      REF: p. 54

 

11. Laws named after victims are sometimes an effort by politicians and legislators to gain favorable media attention.
12. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      2│4                REF: p. 45

12. The civil liberties movement contributed to furthering police professionalism.
13. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      4                      REF: p. 44

 

13. The public’s right to know via the media does not conflict with the victim’s right to privacy.
14. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      4                      REF: p. 48

 

14. Commercial exploitation can be a consequence of the attention injured parties are given by businesses.
15. true b. false

ANS:    T          LO:      2│4                 REF: p. 48

 

15. Megan’s Law mandates that community residents be notified of the arrival of formerly incarcerated sex offenders into their communities.
16. true b. false

ANS:    T          LO:      4                      REF: p. 46

 

16. Victimologists who take a conflict approach view clashes between opposing interest groups trying to influence legislation as inevitable.
17. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      2                      REF: p. 54

 

17. The rediscovery process is in its final stage when activists make headway toward their goals.
18. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      3                     REF: p. 57

 

18. During stage three of the discovery process, backlash may arise if the demands of victims are perceived as excessive.
19. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      3                      REF: p. 56

 

19. Both feminists and evangelical Christians have sought to address human trafficking.
20. true b. false

 

ANS:    T         LO:      4                      REF: p. 58

 

 

 

ESSAY QUESTIONS

1. Discuss how the importance of victims and their role in the criminal justice system has changed over time.

 

ANS: In early societies, harm was redressed through direct payment schemes. During the Industrial Revolution, the sense of community changed and with that victims lost control over how the harm they experienced would be resolved. The punishment of offenders became the obligation of the local government through judicial proceedings. Instead of restoring the victim through redressing the harm, the crime was now a crime against the state. Recovery of damages was not as important as the symbolic gesture of establishing social order through punishment of the offender. Obligations of the victim have dwindled down to filing a complaint to initiate the investigation and being a witness in the state’s case.

 

LO:      1                      REF: p. 40-45

 

2. Discuss the rediscovery of crime victims during the 1950s and early 1960s. Be sure to include a discussion on the impact of the various social movements of the time period.

 

ANS: The rediscovery of crime victims was instigated through the work of social movements. The focus of the movements was to increase victim’s rights, services, and programs. The women’s movement worked diligently to increase awareness of rape and domestic violence, crimes that impact women disproportionately compared to men. The result of their hard work was the creation of rape crisis centers, battered women shelters, and ultimately policy changes—such as recognizing domestic violence as a violent crime. The law-and-order movement increased awareness of violence and theft as crime rates were increasing during this time period of the 1960’s. The main focus was on increased punishment and more social control over deviant behavior. Finally, the civil rights movement centered their energy on the disparity in the representation of people of color throughout the criminal justice process. In addition, they focused their attention on threats of racial violence such as lynch mobs.

 

LO: 2                           REF: p. 41-45

 

3. Starting in the 1980s, elected officials sometimes engaged in the political process of enacting new laws named after specific individuals. How/why did this practice arise? What was significant about the individuals for whom legislation was named? Provide examples.

 

ANS: Salient issues raise public awareness and public officials have long used this approach to address other social issues. Starting in the 1980’s, people running for office realized application of this approach might help their election or re-election if they applied it to their ‘get tough on crime’ stance. A known example of this is through the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. Named after James Brady, President Reagan’s press secretary, who was shot in the head during an attempt to assassinate the president. The law required a background check on any person seeking to buy a firearm. Though the act of selling a handgun to persons who were deemed dangerous had been illegal since 1968, this new law was seen as being tougher on crime. Other victims, such as Jeannae Clery, Emmett Till, Matthew Shepard, and James Byrd Jr, all suffered heinous crimes and had legislation named after them. Thousands of laws have been enacted in the name of a victim, but the response to this approach has been mixed. Some believe it is a great avenue to bring attention to a serious crime and to mobilize the public around it. Others argue it is another means for politicians to exploit the media for their own personal gain.

 

LO: 2│4                                  REF: p. 45-46

4. Outline and discuss the role of the news media concerning the victim’s plight. Provide both negative and positive aspects.

 

ANS: The role of the media in regards to victims can have mixed outcomes. The harm done to the victim and their family has been brought to the public’s attention after years of neglect by the media. In addition, how the criminal justice process treats victims and how the case was resolved have been important observations made available to the public via the media. However, victims have complained about the media sensationalizing the crime to increase their viewership. Victim complaints have also centered around the media intrusion into their privacy. Media coverage tends to be drawn towards crimes serving as ‘attention grabbers’ as opposed to the more common or harmful crimes. Crimes were a stranger was the offender or crimes that were particularly violent receive publicity, whereas these are the types of crimes that are the least likely to happen to members of society.

 

LO:      4                      REF: p. 46-48

 

5. The process of rediscovery usually unfolds through a series of steps and stages. Outline and discuss the sequential model proposed in the text. Use a “rediscovered” group other than the victims of human trafficking as an example.

 

ANS: The process of rediscovery will be discussed through the recent re-emergence of children who have been sexually abused by clerics. The first step in the process was when the cases were brought to the attention of the media by a group of adults who were molested by a priest when they were young. This caused other victims from other priests to step out and make the public aware of their similar victimization. Activists and other groups undertook the campaign to get the priests removed and to increase public awareness and education. The next stage in the process is when the group starts to get closer to their goals. This stage occurred when various religious groups developed their own committees to examine child sexual victimization within their own religious organizations. Other clerics were charged with sex crimes against children and some organizations developed programs to help the victims. Next the emergence of opposition or resistance to further changes occurs. With the discovered group of child victims by clerics, opposition came from higher up as top officials within the various religious organizations argued against this type of crime being systemic problem within their organizations. Some organizations settled out of court with monetary damages being paid to the victims without publicizing any wrongdoing. Others argued the charges were unfair and could have been induced through false memory syndrome.

 

Chapter 04  TEST BANK

 

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. _____ risks indicate the odds of an unwanted event taking place for members of one social demographic group as compared to another.
   1. Potential
   2. Differential
   3. Referential
   4. Cumulative

 

ANS:    B          LO:      1                      REF: p. 94

 

2. _____ is broadly defined simply as the killing of one human being by another.
   1. 1^stdegree murder
   2. 2^nd degree murder
   3. Homicide
   4. Aggravated assault

 

ANS:    C          LO:      1                      REF: p. 96

 

3. The _____ rate provides the number of new victims per 1000.
   1. nonincidence
   2. prevalence
   3. incidence
   4. all of these

 

ANS:    C          LO:      4                      REF: p. 96

 

4. _____ provide an estimate of the number of people per 1000 who have ever experienced some event.
   1. Prevalence rates
   2. Incidence rates
   3. Cumulative rates
   4. Ballpark figures.

 

ANS:    A         LO:      4                      REF: p. 96

 

5. A _____ within a victimization rate is recognizable when one category suffers significantly more than another.
   1. correction
   2. pattern
   3. multivaraiate response
   4. profile

 

ANS:    B          LO:      4                      REF: p. 95

 

6. _____ are changes that occur over extended periods of time.
   1. Waves
   2. Trends
   3. Profiles
   4. Rates

 

ANS:    B          LO:      4                      REF: p. 94

 

7. A victim-centered analysis of homicide addresses _____.
   1. what groups of people are victimized most often
   2. how was the victim killed
   3. whether the victim provoked the murder
   4. all of these

 

ANS:    D         LO:      3                      REF: p. 95

 

8. _____ results in serious injuries or involves attacks or threats of harm with a deadly weapon.
   1. Robbery
   2. Simple assault
   3. Aggravated assault
   4. Burglary

 

ANS:    C          LO:      3                      REF: p. 96

 

9. Among the largest United States cities, _____ had the distinction of being the homicide capital of the U.S. in 2013.
   1. Boston
   2. Cleveland
   3. Detroit
   4. New York

 

ANS:    C          LO:      4                      REF: p. 99

 

10. The UCR’s Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHR) does NOT include information about _____.
    1. method of killing.
    2. age, sex, and race of victim
    3. whether the offender was convicted
    4. whether the victim knew the offender

 

ANS:    C          LO:      4                      REF: p. 101

 

11. The most attractive dwellings for burglars are typically _____.
    1. apartments
    2. single-family homes
    3. condominiums
    4. multi-family homes

 

ANS:    B          LO:      8                      REF: p. 114

 

12. SHR statistics indicate that victim _____ is a crucial determinant of risk of being murdered.
    1. age
    2. sex
    3. race
    4. socio-economic status

 

ANS:    B          LO:      5                      REF: p. 102

 

13. In lone-offender, single-victim killings during 2013, _____ percent of black victims were killed by black offenders.
    1. 72
    2. 82
    3. 90
    4. 99

 

ANS:    C          LO:      4                      REF: p. 103

 

14. Between 1993 and 2002 in the United States, _____.
    1. the rate of robberies rose dramatically
    2. the rate of robberies fell dramatically
    3. conflicting definitions of “robbery” make it impossible to define trends
    4. there was virtually no change in the rate of robberies

 

ANS:    B         LO:      4                      REF: p. 108

 

15. In the United States, the peak years of risk for being a victim of homicide are _____.
    1. teenage years
    2. early 20s
    3. early 30s
    4. late 50s.

 

ANS:    B          LO:      4                      REF: p. 103

 

16. When murder rates in various countries are analyzed, higher rates tend to be associated with _____.
    1. the treatment of women
    2. great economic inequality
    3. the average age of the population
    4. the country’s climate

 

ANS:    B          LO:      2                      REF: p. 97

 

17. In 2012, which city had the highest murder rate?
    1. Jakarta, Indonesia
    2. Detroit, Michigan
    3. Mexico City, Mexico
    4. Caracas, Venezuela

 

ANS:    D         LO:      3                      REF: p. 98

 

 

18. _____ has (have) an extremely low murder rate, despite being a huge urban area.
    1. Hong Kong
    2. Jakarta
    3. Seoul
    4. all of the above

 

ANS:    D         LO:      3                      REF: p. 98

 

19. Killings arising from clashes between rival juvenile gangs accounted for nearly ___ percent of all U.S. murders in 2013.
    1. 9
    2. 19
    3. 25
    4. 30

 

ANS:    A         LO:      4                      REF: p. 102

 

20. In the U.S., _____ individuals out of every 1,000 over the age of 11 were robbed in 2013.
    1. two
    2. twenty
    3. two hundred
    4. thirty-nine

 

ANS:    A         LO:      5                      REF: p. 107

 

21. Robbers hurt their victims for a number of reasons. Which of these is true?
    1. They are seeking to intimidate the victim.
    2. They are showing off to accomplices.
    3. They experience a loss of self-control.
    4. all of these.

 

ANS:    D        LO:      5                     REF: p. 108

 

22. Approximately _____ percent of robbery victims are wounded.
    1. 25
    2. 37
    3. 17
    4. 50

 

ANS:    B          LO:      5                      REF: p. 108

 

23. Family income is _____ correlated with victimization.
    1. positively
    2. negatively
    3. inconsistently
    4. not

 

ANS:    B          LO:      5                      REF: p. 111

 

 

24. Which group experiences robbery at a higher rate than any other demographic group?
    1. affluent, elderly women
    2. white, middle-aged men
    3. single white males
    4. young black men

 

ANS:    D         LO:      5                     REF: p. 111

 

25. By 2013, differences in victimization rates for robbery related to economic status _____.
    1. increased slightly
    2. increased dramatically
    3. saw no changes at all
    4. narrowed considerably

 

ANS:    D         LO:      5                      REF: p. 111

 

 

TRUE/FALSE

 

1. Robbery is thought to be a big-city problem and this is confirmed by the data.
2. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      5                      REF: p. 111

 

2. Incidence rates measure the number of new victims per 1,000 or per 100,000 persons annually and thereby reveal the risks people face.
3. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      4                      REF: p. 87

 

3. In order for a theft to be considered a robbery, the offender must be in possession of a weapon.
4. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      4                      REF: p. 107

 

4. A severe beating that almost claims a life would be classified as aggravated assault.
5. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      3                      REF: p. 105

 

5. The UCR keeps records of the annual number of aggravated assaults, while the NCVS does not.
6. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      3                      REF: p. 105

 

6. The Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2013 authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to look into attempted mass killings in public places.
7. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      3                      REF: p. 105

 

7. During 2012, 90 people were killed and 118 were injured in mass shootings.
8. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      3                      REF: p 106

 

8. Aggravated or felonious assaults outnumber the other serious interpersonal crimes of violence (murder, rape, and robbery) monitored by the UCR every year.
9. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      3                      REF: p. 104

 

9. Profiles are to changes that occur over extended periods of time.
10. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      4                      REF: p.100

 

10. Sharp increases in crime rates over several consecutive years are commonly known as crime waves.
11. true b. false

 

ANS:    A         LO:      4                      REF: p. 113

 

11. Aggravated assault results in serious injuries or involves attacks or threats of harm with a deadly weapon.
12. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      4                      REF: p. 107

 

12. A key determinant of the murder rate in any country is the proportion of the population made up of young women.
13. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      5                      REF: p. 96

 

13. The murder rates occur in Northern Europe and Eastern Asia.
14. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      5                      REF: p. 96

 

14. Almost 45% of victims say the individual who robbed them was a complete stranger.
15. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      5                      REF: p. 107

 

15. The likelihood of experiencing a crime in the course of one’s lifetime is known as one’s “cumulative risk.”
16. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      5                      REF: p. 94

 

16. The murder rate varies substantially by geographic location.
17. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      4                      REF: p. 96

 

17. Most murders can be characterized as young adults slaying other relatively young persons.
18. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      4│5                 REF: p. 103

 

18. Lower income people fall into a low risk group of murder, while affluent people are in a higher risk group.
19. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      6                      REF: p. 103

 

19. Robbery always results in serious wounds or involves attacks with a deadly weapon.
20. true b. false

 

ANS:    F          LO:      4                      REF: p. 104

 

20. A continuous drop in the lethality of assaults since 1960 can be primarily attributed to advances in emergency medicine.
21. true b. false

 

ANS:    T          LO:      4                      REF: p. 105

 

 

ESSAY QUESTIONS

 

1. Describe the factors that a potential offender takes into consideration when selecting a victim or target. How can understanding this process assist an individual in reducing his or her likelihood of becoming a crime victim?

 

ANS: Offenders look for targets associated with financial value – attractive vehicles, expensive houses, and so on. Another dimension is proximity. Most individuals rob or mug others in the neighborhood as this is the closest, easiest target. Proximity provides opportunities, meaning the victims are more readily available. Vulnerability is another variable for consideration. Individuals who are physically, emotionally, or otherwise rendered vulnerable are easier targets and are less likely to resist. In general, offenders take into consideration those variables that will make the crime easier to commit and more likely to succeed.

The chances of being a victim can be reduced by being aware of the existence of active criminals in their home or work environments, reducing the vulnerabilities, and increasing the presence of guardians. For example, neighbors can watch out for vulnerable individuals in the neighborhood. In general, people can analyze their daily activities to evaluate where they can reduce opportunities to be a victim of crime.

 

LO:      4                      REF: p. 100-103

 

 

2. Data from UCR and NCVS confirm long-held suspicion certain groups of people are much more likely to be victimized. Characterize the groups that are more likely to be a victim of murder, aggravated assault, and robbery.

 

ANS: There are differential risks involved with being a victim of murder, aggravated assault, and robbery. In regards to homicide, most victims know their offender. The offender is more often than not a family, friend or acquaintance. Most murders are situational, meaning they arise from a certain circumstance. The typical murder is carried out with a firearm. Most homicide victims are young, black males living in urban areas. This is quite different than robbery. Robbery victims experienced crime by a male stranger. Most robberies involve a weapon but do not harm their victim. The victims tend to be young, males, people of color, low income, and live in urban areas. Finally, victims of aggravated assault appear to mirror the characteristics of murder and robbery, with more youth, people of color, males, and urban dwellers impacted than any other variable of consideration.

 

LO:      4                      REF: p. 100-103

 

3. Motor vehicle thefts impact five out of 1000 households in the United States according to the NCVS. Some people consider this a “happy crime” with no losers. Why do they think this? Are they correct?

 

ANS: Their argument proposes that the thief makes money and that the owner is reimbursed by the insurance company and then enjoys the pleasure of shopping for a new car. Meanwhile, the manufacturer gains a customer who wasn’t only going to purchase a car so soon and the insurance company gets a chance to raise premiums. Actually, most victims of auto theft are quite upset because of the great deal of time, effort, and care they put into keeping their vehicles in good shape. The shock of discovering that the vehicle vanished touches off a sense of violation and insecurity. Not all owners purchase best coverage, usually because they cannot afford it.

 

LO:      9                      REF: p. 116

 

4. Identity theft is a relatively new type of white-collar crime. It draws upon traditional interpersonal crimes such as pickpocketing, thievery, robbery, and burglary of wallets, but also uses modern technology to increase the impact of a traditional theft. How do people usually discover they have been victimized? What impact can identity theft have on individuals?

 

ANS: People discover they have been preyed upon when they get a call from a credit card fraud division or when a purchase is declined at the point of sale because the card’s limit has been exceeded. Others find out when they are harassed by a bill collector demanding payment on a delinquent account or when a monthly statement marked “overdue” arrives in the mail. In extreme cases, they discover they have been targeted when the police take them into custody as a fugitive on outstanding warrants, and then it becomes clear that a lawbreaker was released after showing false documents and posting bail. Some people don’t discover the extent of the damage until they are denied new credit cards, turned down for student loans, disconnected from utilities, or charged extra high interest rates for mortgages and car loans. Out-of-pocket expenses and time spent on paperwork depend on how long it takes discover the fraud. It takes lower income and less educated people longer to discover the impersonation and consequently they suffer more, in terms of problems with their accounts, harassment by debt collectors, and utility cutoffs.

 

LO:      10                    REF: p. 123