The Future of Collecting Crime Statistics


December 23, 2014

The FBI says the National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, may someday become the standard for collecting crime statistics.


Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: The FBI says the National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, may someday become the standard for collecting crime statistics. The NIBRS is a comprehensive accounting of crime capturing detailed information on each incident, victim, offender, and more. Assistant Director Stephen Morris of the Criminal Justice Information Services Division says the NIBRS program can provide a more accurate picture of crime in the United States.

Stephen Morris: The FBI is actively working with our local, state, federal, and tribal partners throughout the country to not only promote NIBRS but also increase participation in the NIBRS program.

Halpern: NIBRS can be used to identify emerging trends. It can also enable law enforcement agencies to better define the resources they need and where to use them effectively.

Morris: On a smaller scale, the true power of NIBRS is it tells a story. It tells us—to some degree—the who, what, when, where, and why a crime has occurred.

Halpern: To see the latest NIBRS report, visit www.fbi.gov. From FBI Headquarters, I’m Mollie Halpern of the Bureau with FBI, This Week.

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