Crime report is a linchpin in the intricate machinery of the criminal justice system, serving as a foundation for initiation of investigations, construction of legal cases, victim support, community engagement and proactive prevention strategies. This section explores the societal implications of crime reporting and emphasizes the fundamental role that individuals play in alerting law enforcement agencies to crimes and threats in their communities.
The NIBRS replaces and expands on the SRS in two key ways: a move to incident-based reporting that counts offenses, not just totals; and a focus on collecting data like a suspect’s or victim’s race or ethnicity, gender, age, disability, ancestry, national origin or sexual orientation. The NIBRS also includes new reporting on hate crimes, which are defined as offenses motivated in whole or in substantial part by a person’s, a group’s or a place’s identification with a particular religion, race, ethnicity, gender, age, or disability.
Crime stories are primarily about people – both the criminals and the victims. It is important for writers to remember that even the most mundane crimes have a human element. For example, a motorist parked in a no parking zone may inconvenience someone or at worst cause an accident; and a person who makes false declarations to obtain government benefits is taking money that could have been spent on the care of another person or family member. Great crime writing also comes from building suspense and mystery. This requires knowing how to eke out clues in a way that is both compelling and logical for the reader.
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