VIOLENT CRIMES

Four Types according to FBI

Murder/Non-negligent Manslaughter

• First-degree murder
• Second-degree murder
• Voluntary manslaughter
• Involuntary manslaughter

Aggravated versus Simple Assault

Robbery - types of robbers

Extent of homicide, assaults, and robbery in the United States

• Homicide Rate: 6.1 per 100,000 (UCR 2001)
• Assault Rate: 21.2 per 1,000 (NCVS 2001)
• Robbery Rate: 2.8 per 1,000 (NCVS 2001)

What theories of crime best explain why the U.S. has such high levels of violent crime?

Gun Control

Arguments for and against stricter gun control

How do Americans feel about gun control?

Does gun ownership deter or promote violent crime?

• Households with guns 2.7 times more likely than others to have someone in house murdered.
• Studies generally find no deterrent effect of handgun ownership

Rape and Domestic Violence

• Extent of rape in the United States
• Social patterns of rape
• What are the common myths and justifications regarding rape? An application of neutralization theory (Scully and Marolla)
• Does arresting batterers work?