Expert Group Meeting on International Statistical Classifications13-15 May 2013

The developing ´International Classification of Crime for statistical purposes´

Enrico BisognoStatistics and Surveys Section

• After attempts at developing a standard crime classification, including at EU level (EULOCS), a joint UNODC/UNECE Task Force on crime classification was set up in 2009 under the framework of the Conference of European Statisticians (CES)

• In 2011, the TF presented the International Crime Classification Framework (ICCF), approved by CES in 2012

• Primary unit of classification is the act or event which constitutes a criminal offence

• The description of criminal acts is based on behaviours/events, not on legal provisions

Start of current work on Int.Crime Classification

• Exhaustiveness – events generally known to constitute offences in a significant number of countries

• Structure – Reduced number of hierarchical levels and reasonable number of categories in first level

• Mutual exclusivity – any crime assigned to one and only one category

• Description – need to define attributes of crime acts/events

Principles for the ICCF

• Target – the main entity against which the act is directed (person, object, animal, state, communal value or concept)

• Seriousness – determined by harm/consequences for victims and community

• State of mind of perpetrator – mens rea and motivation (e.g. intentional vs. non-intentional/ negligent)

• Modus operandi – an act may be enabled by use of force, violence, intimidation, etc.

• Policy relevance – maintenance of public welfare and safety, protection of property rights, protection of integrity of state, etc.

Moreover, a series of ´tags´ was developed to further qualify and describe crimes

Main attributes for classifying crime

Development of the International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes (ICCS)

Testing conducted in July-September 2012 (17 volunteer countries participated) to assess:

•Completeness

•Mutual exclusivity

•Data availability

•Feasibility and relevance of using disaggregating variables (tags)

•Results discussed at first consultation meeting in Mexico City

First testing of the ICCS

• 11 Top-level categories based on attributes of target, seriousness, state of mind, modus operandi and policy relevance:

1. Acts leading to death or intending to cause death2. Acts causing harm to the person3. Injurious acts of a sexual nature4. Acts against property involving violence against a person5. Acts against property only6. Acts involving controlled psycho-active substances or other drugs 7. Acts involving fraud, deception or corruption8. Acts against public order or authority9. Acts against public security10. Acts against natural environment11. Other criminal acts not elsewhere classified

The current structure of ICCS

Additional attributes

Disaggregating variables:

• Event descriptions: Use of weapon, location, organised crime, attempted/completed

• Victim descriptions: age, sex, age status

• Perpetrator descriptions: ages, sex, age status, victim-perpetrator relationship

Further data descriptions

Possibility to indicate if data include: attempts, threats, aiding/abetting, accessory/accomplice, conspiracy/planning, incitement to commit crime

Some pending issues

• A certain consensus exists on 11 groups at level 1, further work is needed for levels 2, 3 and 4

• Description of levels 2, 3 and 4

• Consistent use of disaggregating variables

• Which categories to use for disaggregating variables

• How to deal with certain broad categories: crime against business, violence against women, hate crime, etc.

Next steps

• Development of first draft of international classification of crime for statistical purposes (second quarter 2013)

• Testing of draft international classification of crime in volunteer countries (fourth quarter 2013)

• Meeting of group of expert to review testing results and finalize ICCS (first half 2014)

• Development of Manual to implement ICCS (second half 2014)

• Submission of ICCS to Statistical Commission in 2015