Comparative Criminal Justice Measuring and Comparing Crime in and Across Nations

Ways to Improve the Comparability of International Crime Data Rather than try to make comparisons among numerous countries across some larger group of offenses, we would do better to analyze only a limited number of offenses and countries. In other words, be more specific, compare types of crime, i.e., murder, robbery, or the incarceration rate in several select countries.

Ways to Improve the Comparability of International Crime Data Because the social, economic, and political situations vary so greatly in the different nations, it is unwise to make comparisons between totally different nations and regions of the world. In other words, limit comparisons to similar type nations.

Ways to Improve the Comparability of International Crime Data Reformulate the terms of reference. In other words, use ratios (such as crime per 100,000 persons) rather than whole numbers or total numbers of crime.

Ways to Improve the Comparability of International Crime Data Practice triangulation whenever possible. In other words, implement multiple measures as a way to improve the validity or truthfulness of what one is trying to measure, i.e., crime surveys, victim surveys, and self-report surveys.

Ways to Improve the Comparability of International Crime Data Study crime data over a period of time rather than at one time to gain a more valid picture of the subject we are studying. In other words, longitudinal studies are a better index of crime trends.

Ways to Improve the Comparability of International Crime Data Be aware of the limitations when we attempt to compare international crime data. In other words, be aware of what specific information the data can provide as well as what it does not provide.

The Exceptions: Countries With Low Crime Japan & Saudi Arabia

Japan Japan is a highly populated modified-capitalist urban culture which stresses the following issues: Group norms and suppression of individualism Harmony Conflict avoidance Informal local-based group formations (schools, work) Emphasis on security and rules Homogeneity as opposed to heterogeneity Police: close surveillance and neighborhood crime prevention organizations High arrest rate – low incarceration rate

Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is neither a highly developed country nor a highly urbanized country despite its great wealth per capita. A sizable portion of the population are nomadic Bedouins who are unlikely to resort to a formal legal system. Saudi Arabia’s cultural values stress the following:  Harsh corporal punishment based on a philosophy of retribution.  Devotion to the Koran – the criminal law and the punishment for breaking the law are in the holy book and merely administered by the government.  Religious zeal inhibits law-breaking not fear of punishment.