Falling U.S. Homicide Clearance Rates

Closed or solved homicides are described as either “cleared by arrest” or “cleared by exceptional means”.  In 2008, there were 16,272 reported homicides with a clearance rate of 64%.  That means that 5,858 homicides remain unsolved for that year.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the reporting law enforcement agency must adhere to specific guidelines for “cleared” homicides. 

 Cleared by Arrest: 

• Suspect(s) were arrested.
• Suspect(s) were charged with the commission of the offense.
• Suspect(s) were turned over to the court for prosecution.

 Cleared by Exceptional Means:

• The offender(s) have been identified.
• Enough gathered evidence to support an arrest warrant, make a charge, and turn offender over to the court for prosecution.
• The offender(s) exact location has been identified and can be brought into custody immediately.
• Law enforcement has encountered a circumstance outside their control that prohibits the agency from arresting, charging, and prosecuting the offender.

Clearance rates seem to be declining over the years.  What appears to be the problem?  Not enough police personnel?  Not enough qualified detectives?  Are we raising too many killers?  Is murder just a part of our society? 

Here are some interesting statistics to ponder:

2008, 16,272 homicides, 64% clearance, 5,858 unsolved

2007, 16,929 homicides, 61% clearance, 6,602 unsolved

2006, 17,030 homicides, 61% clearance, 6,642 unsolved

2000, 15,586 homicides, 63% clearance, 5,767 unsolved

1990, 23,438 homicides, 67% clearance, 7,735 unsolved

1980, 23,040 homicides, 72% clearance, 6,451 unsolved

1975, 78% clearance rate

1970, 86% clearance rate

1965, 90% clearance rate

1960, 91% clearance rate

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Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/
Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/
Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
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Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

Non-Family Abducted Children Exceeds 58,000 Annually in the US

Heroine Emily Stone from my two novels Compulsion and Dead Game has dedicated her life to finding and protecting children.  It’s not always a happy ending, but she won’t give up the search when a child is reporting missing or abducted.  She uses her innate profiling abilities and every piece of technology available to anonymously search out children and their perpetrators. 

In real life, it has been estimated through surveys of households, juvenile residential facilities, and law enforcement agencies that there are approximately 58,200 non-family abductions every year.  This high number is shocking to say the least.  We need to be vigilant to keep our children safe.

The National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children (NISMART) has conducted two studies during the years 1997- 1999.  It is difficult to get the exact number due to many variables to missing children cases and reporting status.  

Here are some highlights in NISMART’s report:

Characteristic of Child Abducted

0-5 years old  7%   (4,300)

6-11 years old  12%  (6,800)

12-14 years old  22%  (13,000)

15-17 years old  59%  (34,100)

Gender of Child Abducted

Male  35%

Female  65%

Region of Child Abducted

Northwest  1%  (100)

Midwest  33%  (19,300)

South  38%  (21,900)

West  29%  (16,900)

Characteristic of Perpetrator

Friend  17%

Long-Term Acquaintance  21%

Neighbor  5%

Authority Person  6%

Caretaker or Babysitter  4%

Stranger  37%

Slight Acquaintance  8%

Someone Else  3%

Age of Main Perpetrator’s Age

13-19 years  25%

20-29 years  42%

30-39 years  12%

40-49 years  16%

50-59 years  5%

No information  1%

 

Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/
Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/
Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/
Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

Shocking Statistics about Human Trafficking

 

I try to keep up to date on various things in the forensic and criminology fields when I’m not writing.  Basically, I read and study whenever I have a spare moment.  Sometimes when I come across information that really makes me pause for a moment and take a deep breath in disbelief, I feel compelled to post it.

I just read a report from the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on the statistics of human trafficking.  This is a significant problem and seems to be steadily rising worldwide.

• 161 countries are reported to be affected by human trafficking by being the source, transit, and/or destination country.
• 2.45 million people are estimated to be trafficked at any given time.
• There is an estimated 1.2 million children trafficked each year.
• The majority of trafficking victims are between the ages of 18 – 24.
• 95% of trafficking victims experience physical and sexual violence during trafficking.
• 79% of trafficking victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation.
• 18% of trafficking victims are trafficked for forced labor.
• 66% of victims are adult women.
• 20% of victims are minors.

 

Jennifer Chase
Award Winning Author & Criminologist

Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/
Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/
Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/
Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #9 – Public Safety

Many of us take advantage of enjoying our local parks and beaches, especially this time of year when the weather is still nice and warm. It’s a great place to just relax or enjoy regular exercise, such as walking and jogging.

Living in California, I love to take advantage of all the wonderful parks and beaches whenever I can. It’s a great place for me to relax and take a break from my writing. Sometimes, I get my best story ideas walking at the beach with my dogs. However, I am still aware of my surroundings, even as I enjoy the great outdoors and beautiful scenery.

Emily Stone, the heroine in my novel Compulsion that is dedicated to public safety, suggests the following tips to stay safe for the park and beach enthusiast:

1.Remember, there is always safety in numbers. It is recommended that you walk or run with a friend. For me, I have a large, trained, black dog that accompanies me when I’m alone and he has deterred a couple of individuals from possibly making me a potential crime victim in the past.

2.Don’t take shortcuts or dirt paths through wooded areas.

3.Stay on well-lighted and populated path areas.

4.Remain alert and aware at all times. As funs as it is to wear headphones with your favorite music, if you are alone don’t wear them, it can distract you from your surroundings.

5.Familiarize yourself with your local park or beach and know where the public phones or police call boxes are located, even if you have your personal cell phone with you. It’s always a good idea to know where these emergency phones are located.

6.Know the locations of any stores or businesses that may be open in the vicinity of the park or beach. These types of locations may be a safe place to go if you feel threatened or need assistance.

7. Don’t wear an excessive amount of jewelry because this will make you stand out.

8.Closely supervise children and instruct them how to response to strangers.

9. If someone attempts to verbally harass you, keep walking and continue to a populated area or business. If you do respond to this type of behavior, it could escalate the situation. It’s always better to be cautious and find a safe, populated location.

10.ALWAYS report suspicious persons or activities to the local police. Remember to dial “911” for emergency police or medical services.

If you happen to become a victim of a crime at the park, beach, or anywhere for that matter, the police recommend the following:

1.Remain calm.
2.Don’t make any quick or sudden movements.
3. Don’t be a hero. No amount of money or personal property is worth your life.
4. Be observant. Try to remember everything you can about the criminal: sex, age, race, clothing, height, weight, and anything that would help to identify the criminal.
5.Call the police immediately after the incident.

Crime in parks and beaches isn’t commonplace, but it’s always important to remember these simple tips and to be prepared just in case of an emergency.

Being fully prepared usually means that nothing will likely happen. It’s important to feel comfortable when visiting your local park or beach areas. Take advantage and enjoy your visits to these wonderful, outdoor locations.

Jennifer Chase

Author & Criminologist