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Related Experiment Videos

The validity of robbery-murder classifications in Baltimore.

C Loftin1

  • 1Institute of Criminal Justice and Criminology, University of Maryland.

Violence and Victims
|January 1, 1986
PubMed
Summary

The FBI's Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) shows significant unreliability in classifying robbery-murders, with many cases inconsistently coded. Improving SHR data accuracy requires procedural changes for better homicide statistics.

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Area of Science:

  • Criminology
  • Forensic Science
  • Criminal Justice Data Analysis

Background:

  • The Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) is a primary source for U.S. homicide data.
  • Reliability of crime data is crucial for accurate criminal justice research and policy.
  • Previous studies have not extensively examined the reliability of specific SHR classifications like robbery-murders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the reliability of robbery-murder classifications within the FBI's Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR).
  • To identify specific issues contributing to classification inconsistencies in homicide data.
  • To explore potential improvements for coding procedures in the SHR.

Main Methods:

  • A replication study was conducted on homicide data from Baltimore, Maryland, for the year 1983.
  • Cases classified as robbery-murders by the SHR and the replication study were compared.
  • Analysis focused on discrepancies and the reasons behind them.

Main Results:

  • A high level of inconsistency was found in robbery-murder classifications between the SHR and the replication study.
  • Of 42 robbery-murder cases, only 20 were consistently classified by both methods.
  • Key issues identified include mutually exclusive coding, lack of rules for ambiguous cases, and excessive 'unknown' classifications.

Conclusions:

  • The current SHR classification system exhibits significant unreliability for robbery-murder data.
  • Minor procedural adjustments to the SHR coding system could substantially enhance data reliability.
  • Accurate homicide data is essential for effective crime analysis and prevention strategies.

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