Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook Excerpts

Material on this page has been excerpted from the UCR Handbook (the most recent standard edition, published in 1984). This page is not associated with the FBI and only the FBI should be consulted for official guidance regarding the UCR Program.

Colleges and universities are required to use the guidance found in the UCR Handbook when compiling their campus crime statistics for release pursuant to 20 USC 1092 (f) unless it conflicts with the statute, for example colleges are also required to report incidents known to campus officials other than law enforcement.

CHAPTER I
DEFINITIONS-PART I OFFENSES

In the reporting of offense data to a state or the national UCR Program, it is first necessary to classify appropriate offenses known into the Part I or II standard offense categories as defined by the Program. This practice ensures that offenses with different titles under state and local law are considered and appropriately counted in UCR. All criminal offenses of law will be classified as either Part I or II in this Program. Part II offenses will be discussed in a later section.

When classifying an offense, it should first be determined if it is one of the Part I offenses and then into which category it would be included. The following pages of definitions and explanations will aid in the classifying of these offenses. Unusual situations will arise in this effort, and not all can be covered in this handbook. In classifying the unusual situations, the nature of the crime should be considered along with the guidelines provided. If assistance is needed, communicate with the UCR Program, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, D.C. 20535.

Counting the number of offenses after they have been classified is referred to as scoring. A suggested method of handling information in preparation for submission of the Monthly Return of Offenses Known to the Police (Return A) is to classify and score the Part I offenses in a tally book. These books have the same format as the monthly Return A and are available without charge from the national UCR Program. Tallies can be made from an agency's offense reports on a regular basis during the month and then transferred to the monthly reporting form. Remember:

CLASSIFY AND SCORE FROM THE RECORDS OF CALLS FOR SERVICE, COMPLAINTS, AND/OR INVESTIGATIONS. OFFENSE COUNTS ARE TO BE RECORDED, NOT FINDINGS OF A COURT, CORONER, JURY, OR DECISION OF A PROSECUTOR SINCE THESE CRIME STATISTICS ARE INTENDED TO ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROBLEM.

General Note-To aid in the understanding of the examples in this section, a knowledge of the six columns of the Return A reporting form is necessary. The columns are as follows: (See pages 47-48 for additional comments.)

Column 1: Classification of Offenses-The criminal act offenses are printed on the form in this column.

Column 2: Offenses Reported or Known to Police-Enter a count of offenses reported or otherwise known to the department.

Column 3: Unfounded-Enter the total number of reported offenses that are false or baseless.

Column 4: Number of Actual Offenses-Subtract the entries in column 3 from the entries in column 2.

Column 5: Total Offenses Cleared-Enter the number of offenses cleared by arrest and by "exceptional" means.

Column 6: Number of Clearances Involving Only Persons Under 18 Years of Age-Enter the number of offenses cleared by arrest, "exceptional" means, or other handling of persons under 18 years of age.

Greater detail is given regarding classifying, scoring, unfounding, and clearances in the section of the handbook on Classifying and Scoring, pages 33-42.

Crimes Against Persons Versus Crimes Against Property

Distinguishing between crimes against persons and those against property greatly facilitates the classifying and scoring process. In the UCR Program, the offenses of criminal homicide, forcible rape, and aggravated assault are crimes against persons. For these crimes, one offense is counted for each victim.

Robbery, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson are crimes against property. For these crimes, score one offense for each distinct operation, except in the case of motor vehicle theft for which one offense is counted for each stolen vehicle.

1. Criminal Homicide

As a general rule, any death due to injuries received in a fight, argument, quarrel, assault, or commission of a crime is counted as a 1.a. Homicide. Score one offense on the Return A for each person willfully killed by another.

Suicides, accidental deaths, assaults to murder, traffic fatalities, and attempted murders are not classified as murder and nonnegligent manslaughter (1.a..). Situations where a victim dies of a heart attack as the result of a robbery or witnessing a crime do not meet the criteria for inclusion in the criminal homicide classification. A heart attack cannot, in fact, be caused at will by an offender. Even in instances where an individual is known to have a weak heart, there is no assurance whatever that an offender can cause sufficient emotional or physical stress to guarantee the victim will suffer a fatal heart attack. Suicides, traffic fatalities, and fetal deaths are totally excluded from the UCR Program, while some accidental deaths are counted as manslaughter by negligence (1.b.) and will be addressed later. Assaults to murder and attempted murders are classified as aggravated assaults and are discussed on pages 16-20 of this publication.

Certain willful killings are classified as justifiable or excusable. In UCR, justifiable homicide is defined as and limited to:

Do not count a killing as justifiable or excusable solely on the basis of self-defense or the action of a coroner, prosecutor, grand jury, or court. The willful (nonnegligent) killing of one individual by another is being reported, not the criminal liability of the person or persons involved. For UCR purposes, crime counts are based on law enforcement investigation.

To report justifiable homicides on the Return A, score one offense for each victim in column 2 on line 1.a. Score that same number of offenses in column 3, Unfounded. No Actual Offenses (column 4) will be counted or recorded for justifiable homicides.

In cases of justifiable homicide, a second offense must also be scored. Enter in the appropriate classification, the crime the felon was committing at the time of death, and clear this offense by exceptional means. See examples 1.a.-8 and 9, page 9.

Note: For each criminal homicide reported on the Return A, it is required that the Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) form be completed. The SHR provides details regarding the victim and offender, their relationship, the weapon used, and the circumstance of the murder. In addition, it is an excellent quality control mechanism. Refer to pages 63-65.

As a general rule, one offense is counted for each death caused by the gross negligence of another. Not included in this category are deaths of persons due to their own negligence; accidental deaths not resulting from gross negligence; and traffic fatalities. However, arrests in connection with traffic fatalities should be counted on the Age, Sex, Race, and Ethnic Origin of Persons Arrested form opposite "manslaughter by negligence." The findings of a court, coroner's inquest, etc., do not affect classifying or scoring; these are law enforcement statistics.

2. Forcible Rape

Score one offense for each female raped or upon whom an assault to rape or attempt to rape has been made. Rapes or attempts accomplished by force or threat of force are classified as forcible regardless of the age of the female victim. Actual offenses of forcible rape are scored opposite item 2.a., while assaults or attempts to forcibly rape are scored opposite item 2.b. In cases where several men attack one female, count one forcible rape. Do not count the number of offenders.

Do not count statutory rape (defined as the carnal knowledge or the attempted carnal knowledge of a female with no force used and the female victim is under the legal age of consent) or other sex offenses under this category. However, if the female victim is under the legal age and is forced against her will to engage in sexual intercourse, the incident should be classified as a rape by force. By definition, sex attacks on males are excluded and should be classified as assaults or "other sex crimes" depending on the nature of the crime and the extent of injury.

3. Robbery

Definition-the taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or putting the victim in fear.

Robbery is a vicious type of theft in that it is committed in the presence of the victim. The victim, who usually is the owner or person having custody of the property, is directly confronted by the perpetrator and is threatened with force or is put in fear that force will be used. Robbery involves a theft or larceny but is aggravated by the element of force or threat of force.

In the absence of force or threat of force, as in pocket-picking or purse-snatching, the offense must be classified as larceny rather than robbery. However, if in a purse-snatching or other such crime force or threat of force is used to overcome the active resistance of the victim, the offense is to be classified as strong-arm robbery.

Armed robberies, categories 3.a.-3.c., are incidents commonly referred to as "stickups," "hijackings," "holdups," and "heists." Robberies wherein no weapons are used may be referred to as "strong-arms" or "muggings."

In any instance of robbery, score one offense for each distinct operation including attempts. Do not count the number of victims robbed, those present at the robbery, or the number of offenders when scoring this crime.

In cases involving pretended weapons or those in which the weapon is not seen by the victim but the robber claims to possess one, classify the incident as armed robbery and score it in the appropriate category. If an immediate "on view" arrest proves that there is no weapon, the offense may be classified as strong-arm robbery.

Law enforcement should guard against using the public's terminology such as "robbery of an apartment" or "safe robbery" inasmuch as the public is referring to a burglary situation.

Count one offense for each distinct operation in which any firearm is used as a weapon or employed as a means of force to threaten the victim for put the victim in fear.

Score one offense for each distinct operation in which a knife, broken bottle, razor, ice pick, or other cutting or stabbing instrument is employed as a weapon or as a means of force to threaten the victim or put the victim in fear.

In this category of robbery, enter one offense for each distinct operation in which a club, acid, explosive, brass knuckles, or other dangerous weapon is employed or its use is threatened.

This category includes muggings and similar offenses where no weapon is used, but strong-arm tactics (limited to the use of personal weapons such as hands, arms, feet, fists, teeth, etc.) are employed or their use is threatened to deprive the victim of possessions.

4. Assault

For the purpose of Uniform Crime Reporting, assault information is collected on the offenses that are aggravated in nature, as well as on those that are not. Aggravated assault offenses, including attempts, are scored opposite items 4.a. through 4.d. on the Return A.

Definition-an unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault usually is accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm.

The categories of aggravated assault (4.a.-d.) include the following commonly entitled offenses: assaults or attempts to kill or murder; poisoning; assault with a dangerous or deadly weapon; maiming, mayhem, assault with explosives; and all attempts to commit the foregoing offenses. In other words, all assaults by one person upon another with the intent to kill, maim, or inflict sever bodily injury with the use of any dangerous weapon are classified under one of the aggravated assault categories. It is not necessary that injury result from an aggravated assault when a gun, knife, or other weapon is used when could and probably would result in serious personal injury if the crime were successfully completed.

On occasion, it is the practice of local jurisdictions to charge in assailants in assault cases with assault and battery or simple assault even though a knife, gun, or other weapon was used in the incident. For Uniform Crime Reporting purposes, this type of assault is to be classified as aggravated.

Count here all assaults wherein a firearm of any type is used or its use is threatened. Include assaults with revolvers, automatic pistols, shotguns, zip guns, rifles, etc.

Include the number of assaults wherein weapons such as knives, razors, hatchets, axes, cleavers, scissors, glass, broken bottles, ice picks, etc., are used as cutting or stabbing objects or their use is threatened.

Score assaults resulting form the use or threatened use of any object as a weapon which does or could result in serious injury. The weapons in this category would include but not be limited to clubs, bricks, jack handles, tire irons, bottles, or other blunt instruments used to club or beat victims. Also include in this category attacks by explosives, acid, lye, poison, scalding water, burning, etc.

Classify in this category only the attacks by use of personal weapons such as hands, fists, feet, etc., which result in serious aggravated injury. The seriousness of the injury is the primary factor to consider in establishing whether the assault is aggravated or simple. The assault will be aggravated if the personal injury is serious, e.g., broken bones, internal injures, or where stitches are required. On the other hand, it is a simple assault if the injuries are not serious (abrasions, minor lacerations, or contusions) and require no more than usual first-aid treatment. These simple assaults are to be scored as 4.e., other assaults.

Include in this category all assaults which do not involve the use of a firearm, knife, cutting instrument, or other dangerous weapon and in which there were no serious or aggravated injuries to victims. Simple assault is not within the Crime Index-it is a Part II offense but is collected under 4.a. as a quality control matter and for the purpose of looking at total assault violence.

Score such offenses as simple assault, assault and battery, injury caused by culpable negligence, intimidation, coercion, and all attempts to commit these offenses. For other examples, refer to page 79.

Careful consideration of the following factors should assist in classifying assaults:

Usually, the weapons used or the extent of the injury sustained will be the deciding factors in distinguishing aggravated from simple assault. In only a very limited number of instances should it be necessary to examine the intent of the assailant.

Prosecutive policy in a jurisdiction should not control classification or reporting of law enforcement offense data on the Return A. It is necessary that assaults in each jurisdiction be examined and classified according to the standard Uniform Crime Reporting definitions, regardless of whether they are termed felonies by local definitions. In an aggravated assault situation where the victim later dies, count one offense of murder on the Return A for the month in which the death occurred and delete the aggravated assault previously recorded. (See page 42 on adjustments.)

5. Burglary-Breaking or Entering

For UCR purposes, offenses locally known as burglary (any degree); unlawful entry with intent to commit a larceny or felony; breaking and entering with intent to commit a larceny; housebreaking; safe-cracking; and all attempts at these offenses should be counted as burglary.

In the UCR standard definition of burglary, a structure is considered to include but not be limited to the following:

Apartment
Barn
Cabin
Church
Condominium
Dwelling House
Factory
Garage
Housetrailer or houseboat (used as permanent dwelling)
Mill
Office
Other building
Outbuilding
Public building
Railroad car
Room
School
Stable
Vessel
Warehouse

Any housetrailer or other mobile unit that is permanently fixed as an office, residence, or storehouse should be considered a structure.

Whenever a question arises as to whether a type of structure comes within the purview of the burglary definition, the law enforcement officer should look to the nature of the crime and be guided by the examples set forth. If a question remains, contact the Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

The illegal entry of a tent, tent trailer, motor home, housetrailer, or other mobile unit that is being used for recreational purposes, followed by a theft, felony, or attempt to commit a felony or theft, should not be counted as burglary. These categories will be discussed in the section on larceny-theft.

Burglaries of hotels, motels, lodging houses, and other places where lodging of transients is the main purpose are scored under provisions of the "Hotel Rule." This principle of scoring dictates that if a number of dwelling units under a single manager are burglarized and the offenses are most likely to be reported to the police by the manager rather than the individual tenants, the burglary should be scored as one offense. Examples of situations for application of the Hotel Rule are burglaries of a number of rental hotel rooms, rooms in "flop" houses, rooms in a youth hostel, and units in a motel. If the individual living areas in a building are rented or leased to the occupants for a period of time, which would preclude the tenancy from being classified as transient, then the burglaries would most likely be reported separately by the occupants. These burglaries should be scored as separate offenses. Examples of the latter type of multiple burglary would be the burglaries of a number of apartments in an apartment house, of the offices of a number of commercial firms in a business building, or of the offices of separate professionals within one building.

Note: It is important to remember that offenses should be classified according to UCR definitions and not according to state or local codes.

Some states might, for instance, categorize a shoplifting or a theft from an automobile as burglary. These offenses are not classified as burglaries in UCR and must be considered larcenies for reporting purposes. Thefts from automobiles whether locked or not; shoplifting from commercial establishments; and thefts from telephone booths, coinboxes, or coin-operated machines are all counted as larceny-theft offenses. Of course, if these thefts are accompanied by unlawful entry of a structure, a multiple offense exists and the burglary would be scored. A telephone booth is not considered a structure under the UCR definition.

Count all offenses where force of any kind is used to unlawfully enter a structure for the purpose of committing a theft or felony. This act includes entry by use of tools, breaking windows; forcing windows, doors, transoms, or ventilators; cutting screens, walls, or roofs; and where known, the use of master keys, picks, unauthorized keys, celluloid, or other devices which leave no outward mark but are used to force a lock. Burglary by concealment inside a building followed by the exiting of the structure is included in this category.

The entry in these burglary situations involves no force and is achieved by use of an unlocked door or window. The element of trespass to the structure is essential in this classification, which includes thefts from open garages, open warehouses, open or unlocked dwellings, and open or unlocked common basement areas in apartment houses where entry is committed other than by the tenant who has lawful access. If the area entered was one of open access, thefts from the area would not involve an unlawful trespass and would be scored as larceny.

Count in this classification those situations where a forcible entry burglary is attempted. If an entry is actually made, the offense should be classified as 5.a. Include unlawful entry-no force when a perpetrator is frightened off while enter an unlocked door climbing through an open window. If an actual trespass occurs, classify as 5.b. Law enforcement experience is the determining factor in deciding whether force or no force was used in gaining entry.

A forcible entry or unlawful entry where no theft or felony occurs but where acts of vandalism, malicious mischief, etc., are committed is not scored a s burglary provided investigation clearly established that the unlawful entry was for a purpose other than to commit a felony or theft. For the definition of vandalism, refer to page 79.

6. Larceny-theft

Definition-the unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another.

Larceny and theft mean the same thing in Uniform Crime Reporting. Motor vehicle theft is not included and is counted separately because of the great volume of thefts in that particular category. All thefts and attempted thefts are counted.

Local offense classifications such as "grand theft," "petty larceny," "felony larceny," or "misdemeanor larceny" have no bearing on the fact that each distinct operation of larceny is counted as one offense for UCR purposes.

Do not classify embezzlement; fraudulent conversion of entrusted property; conversion of goods lawfully possessed by bailees, lodgers, or finders of lost property; counterfeiting, obtaining money by false pretenses, larceny by check; larceny by bailee; and check fraud as larceny offenses. Each of the aforementioned crimes falls within one of the Part II offense categories which are defined on pages 79-82 of this handbook.

Larceny Analysis

Larceny-thefts are subclassiifed into the following categories. These breakdowns are used on the Supplement to Return A reporting form.

Definition-the theft of articles from a person by stealth where the victim usually does not become immediately aware of the theft.

The theft includes removal of such items as wallets from women's purses and men's pockets and usually occurs in a crowd, public conveyance, or other similar situation to disguise the activity. Theft from a person in an unconscious state, including drunks, should be classified in this category. However, if the victim is manhandled or force beyond simple jostling is used to overcome the resistance of the victim, the offense becomes a strong-arm robbery and should be so classified.

Definition-the grabbing or snatching of a purse, handbag, etc., from the custody of an individual.

If more force is used than is actually necessary to snatch the purse from the grasp of the person, then a strong-arm robbery has occurred.

Definition-the theft by a person (other than an employee) of goods or merchandise exposed for sale.

This violation assumes that the offender had legal access to the premises and thus no trespass or unlawful entry was involved. The category includes thefts of merchandise displayed as a part of the stock in trade outside buildings, such as department stores, hardware stores, supermarkets, fruit stands, gas stations, etc.

(D) Thefts From Motor Vehicles (Except Theft of Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories)

Definition-the theft of articles from a motor vehicle, whether locked or unlocked.

This type of larceny includes thefts from automobiles, trucks, truck trailers, buses, motorcycles, motor homes, or other recreational vehicles. It also includes thefts from any area in the automobile or other vehicle including the trunk, glove compartment, or other enclosure. Some of the items included in this category of theft are cameras, suitcases, wearing apparel, packages, etc. Do not include items that are automobile accessories as they fall under the category, Theft of Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories.

Certain state statutes might interpret Thefts From Motor Vehicles as burglaries. For Uniform Crime Reporting, these thefts must be classified as larcenies.

Note: If a theft from a motor vehicle occurs in conjunction with a motor vehicle theft, classify the incident as a motor vehicle theft. See example 4, page 35.

Definition-the theft of any part or accessory attached to the interior or exterior of a motor vehicle in a manner which would make the part an attachment of the vehicle or necessary for the operation of the vehicle.

Thefts of motors, transmissions, radios, heaters, hubcaps and wheel covers, manufacturers' emblems, license plates, radio antennas, side-view mirrors, gasoline, tape decks, etc., are included in this category. If items being transported in the vehicle are stolen, the offense should be classified as a Theft From a Motor Vehicle (D).

Note: In larceny situations where the theft of motor vehicle parts and accessories occurs during the same incident as a theft of articles from a motor vehicle, score the offense resulting in the greatest value of property loss. Combine both dollar losses and record this amount on the Supplement to the Return A in the subcategory with the highest value. See page 52 for additional details and example on page 77.

Definition-a theft from within a building which is open to the general public and where the offender has legal access.

Do not include shoplifting and thefts from coin-operated devices or machines within open buildings; these offenses should be scored in their separate larceny categories. Thefts from buildings include those from such places as churches, restaurants, schools, libraries, public buildings, and other public and professional offices during the hours when such facilities are open to the public.

A theft from a structure accompanied by a breaking or unlawful entry (trespass) without breaking should be scored as burglary and not as larceny-theft.

Definition-a theft from a device or machine which is operated or activated by the use of a coin.

Some examples of such machines are candy, cigarette, and food vending machines; telephone coinboxes; parking meters; pinball machines; or washers and dryers located in laundromats where no breaking or illegal entry of the building is involved.

If a building was broken into or illegally entered and a coin-operated machine in the building was rifled for money and/or merchandise, the matter would be classified as burglary. (See Hierarchy Rule, page 33.)

Definition-all thefts which do not fit the definition of the specific categories of larceny listed above.

This category includes thefts from fenced enclosures, boats, and airplanes. Thefts of animals, lawnmowers, lawn furniture, handtools, and farm and construction equipment are also included where no breaking or entering of a structure is involved.

Additionally, the illegal entry of a tent, tent trailer, or travel trailer used for recreational purposes followed by a theft or attempted theft, as well as the stealing of airplanes, bulldozers, and motorboats should be counted as All Other Larceny. Yet another example of a theft to be classified in this category is the taking of gasoline from a self-service gas station and leaving without paying.

7. Motor Vehicle Theft

Included in this classification is the theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle which is defined for UCR purposes as a self-propelled vehicle that runs and land surface and not on rails. Examples of motor vehicles are automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, motor scooters, snowmobiles, etc. Do not include farm equipment, bulldozers, airplanes, construction equipment, or motorboats.

Classify as motor vehicle theft all cases where automobiles are taken by persons not having lawful access even though the vehicles are later abandoned. Include joyriding. One offense is scored for each vehicle stolen or for each attempt to steal a motor vehicle. If a vehicle is stolen in conjunction with another offense, classification is handled through consideration of the procedures for classifying multiple offenses (page 33).

The taking of a vehicle for temporary use when prior authority has been granted or can be assumed, such as in family situations, or for unauthorized use by chauffeurs and others having lawful access to the vehicle are not classified as motor vehicle thefts.

For the purpose of obtaining a more specific definition of the types of motor vehicles stolen, the three breakdown categories which follow have been established.

Include in this category the thefts of all sedans, stationwagons, coupes, convertibles, and other similar motor vehicles which serve the primary purpose of transporting people from one place to another. Also include automobiles used as taxis.

This breakdown includes those vehicles specifically designed to transport people on a commercial basis and to transport cargo. Include pickup trucks and vans regardless of their use. In UCR, the self-propelled motor home is a truck. Some states allow a stationwagon to be registered as a truck; however, licensing should not be a determining factor and this vehicle for UCR purposes would be classified as an auto.

This category includes all other motor vehicles limited by the UCR definition, such as snowmobiles, motorcycles, motor scooters, trailbikes, mopeds, golf carts, etc. Obviously, unique situations will arise. The classifier's decision must be based on the results of law enforcement investigation and on UCR standards.

8. Arson

Definition-any willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property of another, etc.

Only fires determined through investigation to have been willfully or maliciously set are to be classified as arsons. Attempts to burn should be included, but fires of suspicious or unknown origins should not be reported. One offense should be scored for each distinct arson operation originating within the reporting jurisdiction. If an arson is perpetrated in one locale and spreads to another, it should be reported by the jurisdiction in which the fire originated.

Incidents in which persons are killed as a direct result of arson are classified as both criminal homicides and arsons. Similarly, the number of persons severely injured during an arson should be reported as aggravated assaults along with the arson. When multiple Index offenses are committed during the same distinct operation as the arson offense, the most serious is reported along with the arson (see page 34.) Arson-related deaths and injures of police officers and firefighters, unless willful murders or assaults, are excluded from the Program due to the hazardous nature of their professions.

In classifying the object of an arson as structural, the guidelines for defining structures set forth in the burglary portion of this handbook (page 20) should be utilized. A housetrailer or mobile unit that is permanently fixed as an office, residence, or store-house should be considered structural property.

Structures are subclassified into several categories that can be generally divided into residential and nonresidential groups. Score in one of the two residential categories, the arson of any dwelling utilized for human habitation, including houses, town-houses, apartments, etc. Residences should be considered "Single Occupancy Residential" if they: (1) are private dwellings, duplexes, townhouses, etc., each occupied by a single family group; (2) have total sleeping accommodations for no more than 20 persons; and (3) have no more than two rooms per unit rented to outsiders. Residential property not meeting these criteria are classified "Other Residential." For arson reporting purposes, temporary living quarters such as hotels, motels, inns, etc., are included in the "Other Residential" category.

The remaining structural subclassifications address nonresidential property and are self-explanatory.

"Motor vehicles" by UCR definition must be self-propelled and run and land surface but not on rails. For example, automobiles, motorcycles, motor scooters, and snowmobiles are motor vehicles, while trains, boats, and airplanes are not and should be classified as "Other Mobile Property."

This classification encompasses arsons of all property not classified as structural or mobile. Willful or malicious burnings of property such as crops, timber, fences, signs, and merchandise stored outside structures should be included.

The key to proper arson classification is the establishment of the point of origin of a fire. If an individual willfully burns a vehicle parked adjacent to a home and the subsequent fire spreads and destroys the home, the appropriate arson classification would be "Mobile-Motor Vehicle." In cases where a possible determination of the point of origin is undetermined or in instances of multiple points of origin, the structural, mobile, or other category of property which suffered the greatest damage due to the fire should be scored.

Note: Because of the unique nature of the crime of arson, a separate reporting form (Monthly Return of Arson Offenses Known to Law Enforcement) is utilized for the collection of data regarding this offense.

On the form, the various property classifications appear in column 1. Columnar headings 2 through 6 are identical to those on the Return A, but two additional columns are contained on the arson form. Column 7 is used to enter the number of arson offenses which involved structures (A.-G. only) that were uninhabited, abandoned, deserted, or not normally in use. In column 8, the estimated value of property damage for all arson offenses scored in column 4 is listed. These two additional columns are discussed further in the section of this handbook addressing the specific reporting forms (page 57).

CHAPTER II
CLASSIFYING AND SCORING PROCEDURES

Classifying is determining the proper crime categories in which to report offenses in UCR. Classification is based on the facts of an agency's investigations of crimes.

Scoring is counting the number of offenses after they have been classified and entering the total count on the appropriate reporting form.

Classifying and scoring are the two most important and essential functions that must be performed by a participant in the Uniform Crime Reporting Program. The data provided are based on these two functions and are only as good as agencies' efforts to follow the guidelines of the Program.

Classifying

Generally, attempts to commit a crime are classified as though the crimes were actually completed. The only exception to this rule applies to attempts or assaults to murder wherein the victim does not die. These incidents should be classified as aggravated assaults rather than murders.

In a previous section of this handbook, the UCR Part I offenses have been precisely defined. The exceptions to the definitions also have been discussed and must be considered when classifying criminal acts to guarantee the accuracy and consistency of reports from all agencies in the Nation.

Hierarchy Rule

The experience of law enforcement agencies in handling UCR data shows that for the most part offenses of law occur singly as opposed to many being committed simultaneously. In these single-offense situations, it must be decided whether the crime is one of the Index offenses, and if so, it would be scored accordingly. However, if several offenses are committed at the same time by a person or a group of persons, a different approach must be used in classifying and scoring. The law enforcement matter in which many crimes are committed simultaneously is called a multiple-offense situation in this Program. As a general rule, a multiple-offense situation requires classifying each of the offenses occurring and determining which of them are Part I crimes. The Part I offenses involved must then be located in the listing which follows:

1. Criminal homicide:
xxa. Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter
xxb. Manslaughter by negligence

3. Robbery:
xxa. Firearm
xxb. Knife or cutting instrument
xxc. Other dangerous weapon
xxd. Strong-arm--hands, fists, feet, etc.

4. Aggravated assault:
xxa. Firearm
xxb. Knife or cutting instrument
xxc. Other dangerous weapon
xxd. Hands, fists, feet, etc.--aggravated injury

5. Burglary:
xxa. Forcible entry
xxb. Unlawful entry-no force
xxc. Attempted forcible entry

Locate the offense that is highest on the list, score that offense, and ignore the other offenses involved in the incident. The Hierarchy Rule, which requires counting only the highest offense on the list and ignoring all others, applies only to crime reporting and does not affect the number of charges for which the defendant may be prosecuted in the courts. An exception to the rule is arson, which is discussed later in this chapter.

Scoring

Scoring is counting the number of offenses after they have been classified. The two general rules for scoring Part I crimes are directly related to the two types of crimes involved, crimes against persons and crimes against property.

As stated previously, for incidents of criminal homicide, forcible rape, and aggravated assault (all crimes against persons) one offense is scored for each victim.

Aggravated assault is a troublesome crime to score. If a number of persons are involved in a dispute or disturbance and law enforcement investigation cannot establish the aggressors from the victims, count the number of persons assaulted as the number of offenses.

For crimes against property (robbery, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson) count one offense for each distinct operation or attempt.

In larceny-theft situations, whether a single article or several articles are stolen from one place on the same occasion, only one distinct operation has occurred and one offense is scored. The number of offenses reported would be "one" even if several items belonging to different people were stolen at the same time from one place.

However, to score thefts of motor vehicles, count one offense for each vehicle stolen and one offense for each attempt to steal a motor vehicle. The theft of a vehicle should be scored as such even though recovery occurs very soon after the theft.

On occasion, an agency will receive a complaint which is determined through investigation to be false or baseless. If the investigation shows that no offense occurred nor was attempted, the reported offense can be unfounded for UCR Purposes. All such Part I offenses are still recorded and then scored as unfounded on the monthly Return A.

Please remember that the recovery of stolen property, the small value of stolen property, the refusal of the victim to cooperate with prosecution, or the failure to make an arrest does not unfound a legitimate offense. Also the findings of a coroner, court, jury, or prosecutor do not unfound offenses or attempts which law enforcement establish to be legitimate. If after scoring an actual offense in one of the Part I categories new information is developed through investigation which shows that the offense in fact did not occur, it may be unfounded on the next monthly Return A submitted by the agency.

Part I offenses reported on the Return A can be cleared either by arrest or exceptional means. However, no distinction between cleared by "arrest" and "exceptional means" is made on the report.

An offense is "cleared by arrest" or solved for crime reporting purposes when at least one person is:

1. arrested;
2. charged with the commission of the offense; and
3. turned over to the court for prosecution (whether following arrest, court summons, or police notice). Although no physical arrest is made, a clearance by arrest can be claimed when the offender is a person under 18 years of age and is cited to appear in juvenile court or before other juvenile authorities.

Remember that the number of offenses and not the number of persons arrested are counted in the clearances that you record on the Return A. No more clearances than offenses can be reported in a given month unless clearances of offenses which were reported in previous months are being scored.

Several crimes may be cleared by the arrest of one person, or the arrest of many persons may clear only one crime. Further, if several persons are involved in the commission of a crime and only one is arrested and charged, the crime is listed on the Return A as cleared by arrest. When the other persons involved in the crime are arrested at a later date, no record will be made of a clearance by arrest since the offense was already cleared following the arrest of the first person.

In certain situations, law enforcement is not able to follow the three outlined steps under "clearance by arrest" to clear offenses known to them. Many times all leads have been exhausted and everything possible has been done in order to clear a case. If the following questions can all be answered "yes," the offense can then be cleared "exceptionally" for crime reporting purposes:

1. Has the investigation definitely established the identity of the offender?
2. Is there enough information to support an arrest, charge, and turning over to the court for prosecution?
3. Is the exact location of the offender known so that the subject could be taken into custody now?
4. Is there some reason outside law enforcement control that precludes arresting, charging, and prosecuting the offender?

Generally, an offense can be exceptionally cleared when it falls into one of the following categories. The list is not, however, all-inclusive, and there may be other circumstances when a law enforcement agency is entitled to an exceptional clearance.

1. Suicide of the offender (the person responsible is dead).
2. Double murder (two persons kill each other).
3. Deathbed confession (the person responsible dies after making the confession).
4. Offender killed by police or citizen.
5. Confession by offender already in your custody or serving sentence (this is actually a variation of a true clearance by arrest-the offender would not be "apprehended" but in most situations would be prosecuted on the new charge).
6. Offender prosecuted by state or local authorities in another city for a different offense or prosecuted in another city or state by the Federal government for an offense which may be the same (an attempt is made to return the offender for prosecution, the but the other jurisdiction will not allow the release).
7. Extradition denied.
8. Victim refused to cooperate in the prosecution (this action does not "unfound" the offense, and the answer must also be "yes" to the first three questions listed previously to clear exceptionally).
9. Warrant is outstanding for felon but before being arrested the offender dies, for instance, of natural causes, as a result of an accident, or is killed in the commission of another offense.
10. The handling of a juvenile offender either orally or by written notice to parents in instances involving minor offenses such as petty larceny. No referral is made to juvenile court as a matter of publicly accepted law enforcement policy.

It is recognized that departmental policy in various law enforcement agencies permits the discontinuance of investigation and the administrative closing of cases in which all investigation has been completed. The administrative closing of a case or the "clearing" of it by departmental policy does not permit exceptionally clearing of an offense unless all four questions mentioned earlier can be answered "yes." The recovery of property does not clear a case for UCR purposes. Clearances in accordance with UCR procedures should have no effect on whether an agency has internal policies as to "closing" a case or discontinuing an active investigation.

In tabulating crime counts, an agency may find that offense totals for past months require adjustment due to developments in the investigation or other handling of the matter. It may be necessary to adjust totals reported to UCR for the past month or prior months. Needed adjustments can be made on the current month's report and do not affect the reliability of the figures in that such adjustments tend to equalize each other from month to month over a period of time.

Investigation in the current month may show that actual offenses recorded on a previous report are either:
1. unfounded;
2. require reclassification; or
3. need to be subtracted from previous totals.
To execute the above adjustments, entries are made in the appropriate columns on the return for the current month. Should an asterisk or minus sign be used on any such entry on the current Return A, it would be most helpful for verification purposes if a short note was included explaining the use of the symbol.

Record on the appropriate form (according to age) all persons processed by arrest, citation, or summons during the past month for committing an offense in your jurisdiction. Include:

Enter opposite each offense the number of persons taken into custody, listing them according to age and sex. Then enter opposite each offense the number of persons taken into custody according to race and ethnicity, without regard to sex.

Persons arrested for other jurisdictions should not be scored on these returns. The agency for whom the arrest is made will count the arrest, and thus duplication in counting will be avoided. Although most agencies will probably maintain a separate record of such arrests for departmental administrative use, they again should not be included on these returns. Arrests for Federal offenses should be included only when the arrest is for a Federal crime which occurred in the agency's jurisdiction and the offense is also a crime under the state penal code.

CHAPTER I DEFINITIONS-PART I OFFENSES

"The findings of a court, coroner's inquest, etc., do not affect classifying or scoring."