Citation

Geis G. Crime Delinq. 1965; 11(2): 142-150.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1965, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/001112876501100203

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Statistics purporting to show the amount of crime in a society possess serious shortcomings as accurate indicators of the item they are measuring. The breakdown of such figures into racial and ethnic categories not only compounds the statistical errors, but also introduces elements of general social concern. Such breakdowns should be eliminated in official reports since they contain, besides their inaccuracy, elements which are socially disruptive and disadvantageous.