A crime report is a summary of the investigation into a particular incident. It should include details of the allegation, how it was substantiated and what action, if any, was taken. It should also contain a detailed account of any evidence found at the scene, including photographs and sketches of the scene. The report should be written in clear, objective language and should not contain personal opinions or biases.
The UCR Program collects data on Part I offenses in order to measure the level and scope of criminal activity occurring throughout the nation. These crimes are selected because they are serious, they occur with regularity in every area of the country and they are likely to be reported to the police. Part I offenses are defined as murder; forcible rape; robbery; aggravated assault; homicide; burglary (except motor vehicle theft); and larceny-theft of property other than a motor vehicle, such as shoplifting, pocket picking, embezzlement, check fraud, etc.
Journalists must balance the public’s right to know about crime with ethical considerations ensuring accuracy, fairness and sensitivity while avoiding sensationalism and prejudice. This article, originally written for a journalism training course in Serbia, addresses some of the key issues involved in reporting on crime:
It’s important to take time to weigh all the evidence you gather. Ignoring key pieces of the puzzle can undermine your conclusions and damage your credibility as an investigator. It’s also important to be transparent with your stakeholders about what you have found and why you’ve arrived at a particular conclusion.
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