Objectives of Lecture

Historical and temporal trends in crime

Historical trends

To make comparisons over time, we use data on homicide. Why?

Three waves of violence: 1860-1875; 1900-1933; 1960-1994

What are some possible explanations for these variations in homicide rates over time?

Explanations for the decline in homicide rates during the mid-to-late 1990s:

More aggressive policing

Community efforts

Drug market

Economic expansion

Incarceration

Reasons for misperceptions among Americans of high violence during the early 1990s?

Differences between violence today and in the past?

Projections of future crime rates (over next ten years)?