UNIFORM CRIME REPORTING

Historical Background: In the 1920s, the International Association of Chief of Police (IACP) envisioned the need for statistics on crime in our Nation. The Committee on Uniform Crime Records of the IACP developed and initiated this voluntary national data collection effort in 1930 and still continues to advise the FBI on its conduct of the UCR Program. During that same year, the IACP was instrumental in gaining congressional approval which authorized the FBI to serve as the national clearinghouse for statistical information on crime. The National Sheriffs' Association in June, 1966, established a Committee on Uniform Crime Reporting to serve in an advisory capacity and to encourage sheriffs throughout the country to fully participate in the Program. The FBI, through the UCR Program, has collected and compiled data for use in law enforcement administration, operation, and management, as well as to indicate the fluctuations in the level of crime in America.

Types of Crime Statistics: The Uniform Crime Reporting Program offenses are divided into two groupings - Part I and Part II crimes. Because of their seriousness and frequency of occurrence, seven Part I offenses (murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft) were initially chosen to comprise a Crime Index and serve as indicators of our Nation's crime experience. Arson became the eighth Index crime as the result of a limited congressional mandate in October, 1978. The Part II offense encompass all other crime classifications outside those defined as Part I.