Criminal Justice: Statistics Resources

Course Reserves

Interlibrary Loan

Library Tutorials

View Your Records

Library Hours

Off-Campus/Database Access

Statistics are considered primary sources. There are 3 primary methods used to measure and collect statistics on the nature and extent of crime.  Each has its benefits and limitations:

1. Official data derive from crimes known to have occurred that are recorded by law enforcement agencies.  The FBI Uniform Crime Reports is an example of this type of data.
2. Victim data derive from surveys which ask people about their experience with crime.  This type of data is useful for understanding unreported crimes that do not appear in official data sources.  The BJS National Crime Victimization Survey is the most important source for this data.
3. Self-report data attempt to assess the true extent of various crime patterns by measuring such things as a person's attitudes, values, personal characteristics or behaviors. The Monitoring the Future Survey is an example of data gathered to understand drug use among juveniles.

To learn more about statistical sources in general please see the Statistical Sources LibGuide

​Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics

The source book brings together data from more than 100 sources about many aspects of criminal justice in the United States. Topics include immigration, bullying, suicide, capital punishment and guns among many others.

FBI Uniform Crime Reports

The UCR Program was conceived in 1929 by the International Association of Chiefs of Police to meet a need for reliable, uniform crime statistics for the nation. In 1930, the FBI was tasked with collecting, publishing, and archiving those statistics from over 17,000 law enforcement agencies around the United States.

Bureau of Justice Statistics

With a mission to collect, analyze, publish, and disseminate information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, prisons, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government, the Bureau of Justice provides data to federal, state, and local policymakers. Provides users with the software to create and customize tables.

United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute

A United Nations entity mandated to assist intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations in formulating and implementing improved policies in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. Topics include both human and drug trafficking, environmental and cyber-crime, and cultural heritage.                

United States Department of State: Countries

Contains summary information on countries of the world including travel warnings, climate, demographics, society, economics and government.

Interpol

 The world’s largest international police organization with 188 member countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime. They provide world statistics on subjects including their 6 major areas of concentration: drugs and criminal organizations, finance and high-tech crime, fugitives, public safety and terrorism, trafficking in human beings and corruption. 

Fedstats

Available to the public since 1997, it provides access to the full range of official statistical information produced by the government without having to know in advance which Federal agency produces which particular statistic. With convenient searching and linking capabilities to more than 100 agencies that provide data and trend information on such topics as economic and population trends, crime, education, health care, aviation safety, energy use, farm production and more.

Texas Crime Report

Crime information for the state of Texas culled from the UCR. Supported by the TDPS.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Prison system of Texas provides information on capital punishment, and demographics of prisoners in the state.

​NCSL National Conference of State Legislatures

Penalties for violations of state ethics and corruption laws – state by state.

Have a question? Click on the icon above and Ask Us!