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United States Crimes Database 1994-2000

United States Crimes Database 1994-2000

Metadata also available as - [Outline] - [Parseable text] - [XML] - [DIF]

Frequently-anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title: United States Crimes Database 1994-2000
Abstract:
This map layer shows crime statistics for the United States for the years 1994-2000, drawn from the Uniform Crime Reporting Program data compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and archived at the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR). Crime data are reported by county and are provided for eight crimes: murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Statewide allocation data are not included in this map layer. Crime data are adjusted to compensate for incomplete reporting by individual law enforcement agencies. See the online codebook at <http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/cgi-bin/bob/archive2?study=3451&path=NACJD&docsonly=yes> for more information. This is an update of the January 2003, map layer; fields for the above crime statistics, normalized by crime population, have been added.
Supplemental_Information:
Some of the crime data reported in this file was estimated. Where agencies reported for 12 months, the data were included as reported. Where agencies reported for between three and eleven months, the data were increased by a weight of (12/months reported). Where agencies reported for one or two months, the actual data were not included, but estimated data for the entire year were calculated based on rates computed using data from 12-month reporting agencies within the same geographic stratum (defined by population group) within that State. Where agencies did not report at all, no estimations were performed. For more information on imputation procedures please see <http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/cgi-bin/bob/archive2?study=3451&path=NACJD&docsonly=yes> to access the Codebook for ICPSR Study Number 3451.

For additional information on the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, please see <http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/NACJD/ucr.html>.

  1. How should this data set be cited?

    National Atlas of the United States, 200506, United States Crimes Database 1994-2000: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: 172
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -66
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 72
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 18

  3. What does it look like?

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Beginning_Date: 1994
    Ending_Date: 2000
    Currentness_Reference: Ground condition

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      Indirect_Spatial_Reference:
      U.S. Department of Commerce, 1987, Codes for the Identification of the States, the District of Columbia and the Outlying Areas of the United States, and Associated Areas (FIPS 5-2): Washington, DC, National Institute of Standards and Technology.

      U.S. Department of Commerce, 1990, Counties and Equivalent Entities of the United States, Its Possessions, and Associated Areas (FIPS 6-4): Washington, DC, National Institute of Standards and Technology.

      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • GT-polygon composed of chains (6007)

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.000278. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000278. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is GRS1980.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    Crime statistics by county
    The incidence in the United States of Part I offences (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, auto theft, and arson), as defined and collected by the United States Department of Justice. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Shape
    The representation of the entity in the data. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    Polygon2-dimensional element.

    Fid
    Feature identification number (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:6006

    State
    The two-character code for the State. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Formal codeset
    Codeset Name:Codes for the Identification of the States, the District of Columbia and the Outlying Areas of the United States, and Associated Areas; (Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 5-2): Washington, DC, National Institute of Standards and Technology.
    Codeset Source:U.S. Department of Commerce

    County
    The name of the county or county equivalent. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Formal codeset
    Codeset Name:Counties and Equivalent Entities of the United States, Its Possessions, and Associated Areas (Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 6-4): Washington, DC, National Institute of Standards and Technology.
    Codeset Source:U.S. Department of Commerce

    Fips
    The 5-digit FIPS code indicating the State and county to which the statistics apply. The first two digits are the State code, and the last three digits are the county code. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Formal codeset
    Codeset Name:Counties and Equivalent Entities of the United States, Its Possessions, and Associated Areas (Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 6-4): Washington, DC, National Institute of Standards and Technology.
    Codeset Source:U.S. Department of Commerce

    State_fips
    The two-digit code for the State. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Formal codeset
    Codeset Name:Codes for the Identification of the States, the District of Columbia and the Outlying Areas of the United States, and Associated Areas; (Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 5-2): Washington, DC, National Institute of Standards and Technology.
    Codeset Source:U.S. Department of Commerce

    Study_noXX
    The four-digit ICPSR identification number for the study number of the crimes-reported data, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:2389
    Maximum:6850

    EditionXX
    The edition of the crimes-reported data, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    1The source was the first edition of the crimes-reported data.
    2The source was the second edition of the crimes-reported data.

    Case_idXX
    The ICPSR sequential case ID number, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:3145

    Pop_arrXX
    The population within the county that is served by the agencies reporting arrests, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). Populations of jurisdictions that span county lines are allocated by the FBI to the county that contains the largest proportion of the jurisdiction's population. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:9519338

    Pop_criXX
    The population within the county that is served by the agencies that actually reported crime data, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). If all law enforcement agencies within a county reported crime data, then this value will be the same as Pop_arrXX for the same year. If some agencies did not report, then the population served by the non-reporting agencies was not present in the original FBI file and is not included in the Pop_criXX value. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:9519338

    Ag_arrXX
    The number of agencies in the county that reported arrests, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:146

    Ag_criXX
    The number of agencies in the county that reported crimes, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:113

    Cov_indXX
    An indication of the proportion of the data that is not estimated, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). A value of 100 indicates that all agencies in the county reported for 12 months of the year, and none of the data were estimated. A value of 0 indicates that all data for the county are based on estimates rather than reported data. The coverage indicator (CI) for each county is calculated as follows:
    CI = (1-(sum((agency pop/pop_arrXX)((12-months reported)/12))))*100
    
    Where agency pop is the population represented by the reporting agency for that year, and pop_arrXX is the total population for the county (as defined above). The value for "months reported" will be 0 for agencies reporting 1-2 months of data, because any data provided by these agencies was set to zero and the data were estimated using the procedure described above. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0000
    Maximum:100.000

    IndexXX
    The total number of Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) Index crimes, excluding arson, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:591795

    Mod_indexXX
    The total number of Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) Index crimes, including arson, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:598717

    MurdXX
    The total number of murders, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). Murder is defined as the willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:1678

    MurdppXX
    The number of murders, for the year ending in XX, normalized by the crime population for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    -9999No data available

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.381

    RapeXX
    The total number of forcible rapes, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). Forcible rape is defined as the carnal knowledge of a person, forcibly and (or) against that person's will; or not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:3188

    RapeppXX
    The number of rapes, for the year ending in XX, normalized by the crime population for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    -9999No data available

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.985

    RobbXX
    The total number of robberies, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). Robbery is defined as the taking, or attempting to take, or anything of value under confrontational circumstances, by force or threat of force or violence. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:56116

    RobbppXX
    The number of robberies, for the year ending in XX, normalized by the crime population for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    -9999No data available

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:3.226

    AssaXX
    The total number of aggravated assaults, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). Aggravated assault is defined as an attack by one person on another, where the offender uses a weapon or displays it in a threatening manner, or where the victim suffers severe bodily injury. This includes assault with a disease. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:77026

    AssappXX
    The number of aggravated assaults, for the year ending in XX, normalized by the crime population for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    -9999No data available

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:12.903

    BurgXX
    The total number of burglaries, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). Burglary is defined as the unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a felony or a theft. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:104011

    BurgppXX
    The number of burglaries, for the year ending in XX, normalized by the crime population for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    -9999No data available

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:29.032

    LarcXX
    The total number of larcenies, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). Larceny is defined as the unlawful taking of property from another person, and is also called theft. Motor vehicle thefts are not included. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:236758

    LarcppXX
    The number of larcenies, for the year ending in XX, normalized by the crime population for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    -9999No data available

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:28.541

    Mv_thXX
    The total number of motor vehicle thefts, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). Motor vehicle theft is defined as the theft of an automobile, bus, recreational vehicle, truck, or other motor vehicle. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:113027

    MvthppXX
    The number of motor vehicle thefts, for the year ending in XX, normalized by the crime population for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    -9999No data available

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:6.452

    ArsoXX
    The total number of arsons, for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). Arson is defined as unlawfully and intentionally damaging or attempting to damage, real or personal property, by fire or incendiary device. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:6922

    ArsoppXX
    The number of Arsons, for the year ending in XX, normalized by the crime population for the year ending in XX. The map layer includes data for the years from 1994 (XX=94) to 2000 (XX=00). (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

    ValueDefinition
    -9999No data available

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:2.457


Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

    • National Atlas of the United States

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research
    NACJD, ICPSR
    Ann Arbor, MI 48104

    800-999-0960 (voice)
    734-998-9905 (FAX)
    [email protected]


Why was the data set created?

These data are intended for geographic display and analysis at the national level, and for large regional areas. The data should be displayed and analyzed at scales appropriate for 1:2,000,000-scale data. No responsibility is assumed by the Department of Justice, the National Atlas of the United States, or the ICPSR in the use of these data.


How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

    Crime94 (source 1 of 10)
    Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1997, Uniform Crime Reporting Program Data [United States]: County-Level Detailed Arrest and Offense Data, 1994; Study Number 6669: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Contribution: Crime statistics for 1994

    Crime95 (source 2 of 10)
    Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1997, Uniform Crime Reporting Program Data [United States]: County-Level Detailed Arrest and Offense Data, 1995; Study Number 6850: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Contribution: Crime statistics for 1995

    Crime96 (source 3 of 10)
    Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1998, Uniform Crime Reporting Program Data [United States]: County-Level Detailed Arrest and Offense Data, 1996; Study Number 2389: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Contribution: Crime statistics for 1996

    Crime97 (source 4 of 10)
    Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1999, Uniform Crime Reporting Program Data [United States]: County-Level Detailed Arrest and Offense Data, 1997; Study Number 2764: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Contribution: Crime statistics for 1997

    Crime98 (source 5 of 10)
    Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2000, Uniform Crime Reporting Program Data [United States]: County-Level Detailed Arrest and Offense Data, 1998; Study Number 2910: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Contribution: Crime statistics for 1998

    ATLAS-CNTY1990 (source 6 of 10)
    National Atlas of the United States, 2000, 1990 County Boundaries of the United States: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Contribution: Spatial information

    ATLAS-CRIMES9498 (source 7 of 10)
    National Atlas of the United States, 200103, United States Crimes Database: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Contribution: Spatial and attribute information

    ATLAS-CRIMES9400 (source 8 of 10)
    National Atlas of the United States, 200301, United States Crimes Database: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Contribution: Spatial and attribute information

    Crime99 (source 9 of 10)
    U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2002, Uniform Crime Reporting Program Data [United States]: County-Level Detailed Arrest and Offense Data, 1999; Study Number 3167: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Contribution: Crime statistics for 1999

    Crime00 (source 10 of 10)
    U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2002, Uniform Crime Reporting Program Data [United States]: County-Level Detailed Arrest and Offense Data, 2000; Study Number 3451: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Online
    Source_Contribution: Crime statistics for 2000

  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

    Date: 2000 (process 1 of 3)
    Comma-delimited text files for individual years, containing selected attributes, were received from the Bureau of Justice Statistics data archive (ICPSR) at the University of Michigan. The text files were loaded into Excel and output in dBase IV format, then loaded into ArcView for processing. FIPS codes in the data were converted to strings and leading zeros added as appropriate. The FIPS code for Dade County, FL was changed in the 1994, 1995, and 1996 files to match the new FIPS code for Miami-Dade County, FL. Attribute names were modified to allow combination of data from several years. The individual year files were merged into one large file and saved in dBase IV format.

    The county boundaries file was loaded into ArcView and the FIPS code for Dade County was changed to the new code for Miami-Dade County. The name was also changed. The area of Skagway-Yakatut-Angoon Census Area, Alaska was divided into Yakatut Borough and Skagway-Hoonah- Angoon Census Area, and the FIPS codes were adjusted. County boundaries for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were deleted. Twelve polygons that represented water areas were also deleted.

    The crimes database was joined to the edited county boundaries file and the result saved in shapefile format.

    Data sources used in this process:

    • Crime94
    • Crime95
    • Crime96
    • Crime97
    • Crime98
    • ATLAS-CNTY1990

    Data sources produced in this process:

    • ATLAS-CRIMES9498

    Date: Dec-2002 (process 2 of 3)
    Comma-delimited text files for 1999 and 2000, containing selected attributes, were received from the Bureau of Justice Statistics data archive (ICPSR) at the University of Michigan. The text files were loaded into Excel and output in dBase IV format, then loaded into ArcView for processing. FIPS codes in the data were converted to strings and leading zeros added as appropriate. Attribute names were modified as necessary and the files were merged with ATLAS-CRIMES9498. The resulting file was saved as a new shapefile.

    Data sources used in this process:

    • ATLAS-CRIMES9498
    • Crime99
    • Crime00

    Data sources produced in this process:

    • ATLAS-CRIMES9400

    Date: Apr-2005 (process 3 of 3)
    The ATLAS-CRIMES9400 shapefile was loaded into ArcGIS for processing and editing. A query was run to select records for each year where the coverage index for a year was greater than zero and the crime population for the same year was zero, resulting in about 20 selections for each year. Where there were crime statistics for a particular year in the selected records, the arrest population value for that year was substituted for the zero value in the crime population field. If there were no crime statistics for a particular year in the selected records, the coverage index was reset to zero. New fields were added for each crime normalized by population. Queries were run for each year to detect records with missing data (coverage index was zero, crime population was zero, and all crime statistics were zero.) The new fields were populated with the value -9999 for records with no data available (referred to as missing data by NACJD). For records with data, the values for the new fields were calculated by dividing the crime population for a particular year into the crime statistic for that year and then multiplying the result by 100.

    Data sources used in this process:

    • ATLAS-CRIMES9400

  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

    National Atlas of the United States, 200506, United States Crimes Database 2001-2002: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:


How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    This map layer includes crime statistics for the 50 United States as collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, from reports submitted by agencies and States participating in the Uniform Crime Reporting Program. This is a voluntary program so the data may not include reports from all law enforcement agencies. Data collected for a State but not attributable to a specific county (Statewide allocations) are not included.

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    No checks for logical consistency were performed on this map layer. For information on data imputation procedures used in areas where reporting was less than 100 percent, please see <http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/cgi-bin/bob/archive2?study=3451&path=NACJD&docsonly=yes> to access the Codebook for ICPSR Study Number 3451.


How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
None. Acknowledgment of the National Atlas of the United States of America, the ICPSR, and (or) the U.S. Dept. of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation would be appreciated in products derived from these data.

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

    Earth Science Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey
    507 National Center
    Reston, VA 20192

    1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747) (voice)

    Contact_Instructions:
    In addition to the address above there are other ESIC offices throughout the country. A full list of these offices is at <http://geography.usgs.gov/esic/esic_index.html>.
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the U.S. Geological Survey regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. No responsibility is assumed by the U.S. Geological Survey in the use of these data.

  4. How can I download or order the data?


Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 20-May-2005
Metadata author:
Peg Rawson
National Atlas of the United States
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20192

703-648-4183 (voice)
[email protected]

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)



 


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