| Documentation: | FBI Crime Data 2017 |
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Publisher: U.S. Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation
Survey: FBI Crime Data 2017
| Document: | Uniform Crime Report - Crime in the United States, 2017 |
| citation: | Social Explorer; U.S. Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation; Uniform Crime Report - Crime in the United States, 2017. |
Chapter Contents
In the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Violent crimes are defined in the UCR Program as those offenses that involve force or threat of force.
The data presented in Crime in the United States reflect the Hierarchy Rule, which requires that only the most serious offense in a multiple-offense criminal incident be counted. The descending order of UCR violent crimes are murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, followed by the property crimes of burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft. Although arson is also a property crime, the Hierarchy Rule does not apply to the offense of arson. In cases in which an arson occurs in conjunction with another violent or property crime, both the arson and the additional crime are reported.
In 2017, an estimated 1,165,383 violent crimes occurred nationwide, a decrease of 0.2 percent from the 2013 estimate.
When considering 5- and 10-year trends, the 2017 estimated violent crime total was 6.9 percent below the 2010 level and 16.2 percent below the 2005 level. (See Table 1 and Table 1A)
There were an estimated 365.5 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants in 2017, a rate that declined 1.0 percent when compared with the 2013 estimated violent crime rate. (See Table 1 and Table 1A)
Aggravated assaults accounted for 63.6 percent of violent crimes reported to law enforcement in 2017. Robbery offenses accounted for 28.0 percent of violent crime offenses; rape (legacy definition) accounted for 7.2 percent; and murder accounted for 1.2 percent. (Based on Table 1 and Table 1A)
Information collected regarding types of weapons used in violent crime showed that firearms were used in 67.9 percent of the nation’s murders, 40.3 percent of robberies and 22.5 percent of aggravated assaults. (Weapons data are not collected for rape.) (See Expanded Homicide Data Table 7, Robbery Table 3 and the Aggravated Assault Table)
When considering 5- and 10-year trends, the 2017 estimated violent crime total was 6.9 percent below the 2010 level and 16.2 percent below the 2005 level. (See Table 1 and Table 1A)
There were an estimated 365.5 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants in 2017, a rate that declined 1.0 percent when compared with the 2013 estimated violent crime rate. (See Table 1 and Table 1A)
Aggravated assaults accounted for 63.6 percent of violent crimes reported to law enforcement in 2017. Robbery offenses accounted for 28.0 percent of violent crime offenses; rape (legacy definition) accounted for 7.2 percent; and murder accounted for 1.2 percent. (Based on Table 1 and Table 1A)
Information collected regarding types of weapons used in violent crime showed that firearms were used in 67.9 percent of the nation’s murders, 40.3 percent of robberies and 22.5 percent of aggravated assaults. (Weapons data are not collected for rape.) (See Expanded Homicide Data Table 7, Robbery Table 3 and the Aggravated Assault Table)
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program defines murder and nonnegligent manslaughter as the willful (nonnegligent) killing of one human being by another. The classification of this offense is based solely on police investigation as opposed to the determination of a court, medical examiner, coroner, jury, or other judicial body. The UCR Program does not include the following situations in this offense classification: deaths caused by negligence, suicide, or accident; justifiable homicides; and attempts to murder or assaults to murder, which are classified as aggravated assaults.
Supplementary Homicide Data—The UCR Program’s supplementary homicide data provide information regarding the age, sex and race of the murder victim and the offender; the type of weapon used; the relationship of the victim to the offender; and the circumstance surrounding the incident. Law enforcement agencies are asked—but not required—to provide complete supplementary homicide data for each murder they report to the UCR Program. Information gleaned from these supplementary homicide data can be viewed in the Expanded Homicide Data section.
Justifiable homicide—Certain willful killings must be reported as justifiable or excusable. In the UCR Program, justifiable homicide is defined as and limited to:
The killing of a felon by a peace officer in the line of duty.
The killing of a felon, during the commission of a felony, by a private citizen.
Because these killings are determined through law enforcement investigation to be justifiable, they are tabulated separately from murder and nonnegligent manslaughter.
Because these killings are determined through law enforcement investigation to be justifiable, they are tabulated separately from murder and nonnegligent manslaughter. More information about justifiable homicide is furnished in the Expanded Homicide Data section and in Expanded Homicide Data Table 14, “Justifiable Homicide by Weapon, Law Enforcement, 2010–2017,” and Expanded Homicide Data Table 15, “Justifiable Homicide by Weapon, Private Citizen, 2010–2017.”
Justifiable homicide—Certain willful killings must be reported as justifiable or excusable. In the UCR Program, justifiable homicide is defined as and limited to:
The killing of a felon by a peace officer in the line of duty.
The killing of a felon, during the commission of a felony, by a private citizen.
Because these killings are determined through law enforcement investigation to be justifiable, they are tabulated separately from murder and nonnegligent manslaughter.
Because these killings are determined through law enforcement investigation to be justifiable, they are tabulated separately from murder and nonnegligent manslaughter. More information about justifiable homicide is furnished in the Expanded Homicide Data section and in Expanded Homicide Data Table 14, “Justifiable Homicide by Weapon, Law Enforcement, 2010–2017,” and Expanded Homicide Data Table 15, “Justifiable Homicide by Weapon, Private Citizen, 2010–2017.”
In 2017, the estimated number of murders in the nation was 14,249. This was a 0.5 percent decrease from the 2013 estimate, a 3.2 percent decrease from the 2010 figure and a 14.9 percent drop from the number in 2005.
There were 4.5 murders per 100,000 people. The murder rate fell 1.2 percent in 2017 compared with the 2013 rate. The murder rate was down from the rates in 2010 (6.1 percent) and 2005 (20.8 percent). (See Table 1 and Table 1A)
Of the estimated number of murders in the United States, 46.0 percent were reported in the South, 20.5 percent were reported in the Midwest, 20.5 percent were reported in the West and 13.1 percent were reported in the Northeast. (See Table 3)
There were 4.5 murders per 100,000 people. The murder rate fell 1.2 percent in 2017 compared with the 2013 rate. The murder rate was down from the rates in 2010 (6.1 percent) and 2005 (20.8 percent). (See Table 1 and Table 1A)
Of the estimated number of murders in the United States, 46.0 percent were reported in the South, 20.5 percent were reported in the Midwest, 20.5 percent were reported in the West and 13.1 percent were reported in the Northeast. (See Table 3)
UCR expanded offense data are details of the various offenses that the UCR Program collects beyond the count of how many crimes law enforcement agencies report. These details may include the type of weapon used in a crime, type or value of items stolen and so forth. In addition, expanded data include trends (for example, 2-year comparisons) and rates per 100,000 inhabitants.
Expanded information regarding murder is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13 and Table 14
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17 and Table 18
Expanded Homicide Data (supplementary homicide information):
Victim data: Expanded Homicide Data Tables: Table 1, Table 2, Table 4, Table 5, Table 6, Table 8, Table 9, Table 10, Table 12 and Table 13
Offender data: Expanded Homicide Data Tables: Table 3, Table 5 and Table 6
Victim/offender relationship data: Expanded Homicide Data Table 10
Circumstance data: Expanded Homicide Data Tables: Table 10, Table 11, Table 12 and Table 13
Weapons data: Expanded Homicide Data Tables: Table 7, Table 8, Table 9, Table 11, Table 14, Table 15 and Table 20
Expanded information regarding murder is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13 and Table 14
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17 and Table 18
Expanded Homicide Data (supplementary homicide information):
Victim data: Expanded Homicide Data Tables: Table 1, Table 2, Table 4, Table 5, Table 6, Table 8, Table 9, Table 10, Table 12 and Table 13
Offender data: Expanded Homicide Data Tables: Table 3, Table 5 and Table 6
Victim/offender relationship data: Expanded Homicide Data Table 10
Circumstance data: Expanded Homicide Data Tables: Table 10, Table 11, Table 12 and Table 13
Weapons data: Expanded Homicide Data Tables: Table 7, Table 8, Table 9, Table 11, Table 14, Table 15 and Table 20
In 2013, the FBI UCR Program initiated collection of rape data under a revised definition within the Summary Reporting System. Previously, offense data for forcible rape were collected under the legacy UCR definition: the carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. Beginning with the 2013 data year, the term “forcible” was removed from the offense title and the definition was changed. The revised UCR definition of rape is: penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim. Attempts or assaults to commit rape are also included; however, statutory rape and incest are excluded.
All rape data submitted in 2017—whether collected under the revised definition or the legacy definition—are presented in this publication. However, because only two years of rape data have been collected under the revised definition, the overview presented here discusses only legacy definition rape data.
The UCR Program counts one offense for each victim of a rape, attempted rape, or assault with intent to rape, regardless of the victim’s age. Sexual relations without the victim’s consent which involves a familial offender is counted as a rape and not an act of incest. All other crimes of a sexual nature are considered to be Part II offenses; as such, the UCR Program collects only arrest data for those crimes. The offense of statutory rape, in which no force is used but the female victim is under the age of consent, is included in the arrest total for the sex offenses category.
There were an estimated 84,041 rapes (legacy definition) reported to law enforcement in 2017. This estimate was 2.4 percent higher than the 2013 estimate, 1.8 percent lower than the 2010 estimate and 10.9 percent lower than the 2005 estimate.(See Table 1 and Table 1A )
The rate of rapes (legacy definition) in 2013 was estimated at 25.2 per 100,000 females.
The rate of rapes (legacy definition) in 2013 was estimated at 25.2 per 100,000 females.
Expanded offense data are the details of the various offenses that the UCR Program collects beyond the count of how many crimes law enforcement agencies report. These details may include the type of weapon used in a crime, type or value of items stolen and so forth. In addition, expanded data include trends (for example, 2-year comparisons) and rates per 100,000 inhabitants.
Expanded information regarding rape is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13, Table 14 and Table 15
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17, Table 18 and Table 19
Expanded information regarding rape is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13, Table 14 and Table 15
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17, Table 18 and Table 19
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program defines robbery as 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 by putting the victim in fear.
There were an estimated 325,802 robberies nationwide in 2017. The estimated number of robberies decreased 5.6 percent from the 2013 estimate and 11.7 percent from the 2010 estimate. The 2017 estimate was down 22.0 percent from the 2005 estimate.
The estimated robbery rate of 102.2 per 100,000 inhabitants showed a decrease of 6.3 percent when compared with the 2013 rate. (See Table 1 and Table 1A)
In 2017, the average dollar value of property stolen per reported robbery was $1,227. Robberies accounted for an estimated $400 million in losses. Banks experienced the highest average dollar loss at $3,816 per offense. (Based on Table 1 and Table 23 .)
Among the robberies for which the UCR Program received weapon information in 2017, strong-arm tactics were used in 43.0 percent, firearms in 40.3 percent and knives or cutting instruments in 7.9 percent. Other dangerous weapons were used in 8.8 percent of robberies in 2017. (Based on Table 19.)
The estimated robbery rate of 102.2 per 100,000 inhabitants showed a decrease of 6.3 percent when compared with the 2013 rate. (See Table 1 and Table 1A)
In 2017, the average dollar value of property stolen per reported robbery was $1,227. Robberies accounted for an estimated $400 million in losses. Banks experienced the highest average dollar loss at $3,816 per offense. (Based on Table 1 and Table 23 .)
Among the robberies for which the UCR Program received weapon information in 2017, strong-arm tactics were used in 43.0 percent, firearms in 40.3 percent and knives or cutting instruments in 7.9 percent. Other dangerous weapons were used in 8.8 percent of robberies in 2017. (Based on Table 19.)
Expanded offense data are the details of the various offenses that the UCR Program collects beyond the count of how many crimes law enforcement agencies report. These details may include the type of weapon used in a crime, type or value of items stolen and so forth. In addition, expanded data include trends (for example, 2-year comparisons) and rates per 100,000 inhabitants.
Expanded information regarding robbery is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13, Table 14 and Table 15
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17, Table 18 and Table 19
Weapons: Table 15, Table 19 and Table 21
Location Type, average value of items stolen by location per robbery: Table 23
Robbery Table 1, “Robbery, Location, Percent Distribution by Region, 2017”
Robbery Table 2, “Robbery, Location, Percent Distribution by Population Group, 2017”
Robbery Table 3, “Robbery, Types of Weapons Used, Percent Distribution by Region, 2017”
Expanded information regarding robbery is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13, Table 14 and Table 15
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17, Table 18 and Table 19
Weapons: Table 15, Table 19 and Table 21
Location Type, average value of items stolen by location per robbery: Table 23
Robbery Table 1, “Robbery, Location, Percent Distribution by Region, 2017”
Robbery Table 2, “Robbery, Location, Percent Distribution by Population Group, 2017”
Robbery Table 3, “Robbery, Types of Weapons Used, Percent Distribution by Region, 2017”
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program defines aggravated assault as an unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. The UCR Program further specifies that this type of assault is usually accompanied by the use of a weapon or by other means likely to produce death or great bodily harm. Attempted aggravated assault that involves the display of—or threat to use—a gun, knife, or other weapon is included in this crime category because serious personal injury would likely result if the assault were completed. When aggravated assault and larceny-theft occur together, the offense falls under the category of robbery.
In 2017, there were an estimated 741,291 aggravated assaults in the nation. The estimated number of aggravated assaults increased 2.0 percent when compared with the 2013 estimate and decreased 14.0 percent when compared with the 2005 estimate.
The estimated rate of aggravated assaults in 2017 was 232.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. A 10-year comparison of estimated data from both 2005 and 2017 showed that the rate of aggravated assaults dropped 20.1 percent. (See Table 1 and Table 1A)
Of the aggravated assault offenses in 2017 for which law enforcement provided expanded data, 26.9 percent were committed with personal weapons, such as hands, fists, or feet. Firearms were used in 22.5 percent of aggravated assaults and knives or cutting instruments were used in 18.8 percent. Other weapons were used in 31.9 percent of aggravated assaults. (Based on Table 19.)
The estimated rate of aggravated assaults in 2017 was 232.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. A 10-year comparison of estimated data from both 2005 and 2017 showed that the rate of aggravated assaults dropped 20.1 percent. (See Table 1 and Table 1A)
Of the aggravated assault offenses in 2017 for which law enforcement provided expanded data, 26.9 percent were committed with personal weapons, such as hands, fists, or feet. Firearms were used in 22.5 percent of aggravated assaults and knives or cutting instruments were used in 18.8 percent. Other weapons were used in 31.9 percent of aggravated assaults. (Based on Table 19.)
Expanded offense data are the details of the various offenses that the UCR Program collects beyond the count of how many crimes law enforcement agencies report. These details may include the type of weapon used in a crime, type or value of items stolen and so forth. In addition, expanded data include trends (for example, 2-year comparisons) and rates per 100,000 inhabitants.
Expanded information regarding aggravated assault is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13, Table 14 and Table 15
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17, Table 18 and Table 19
Weapons: Table 15, Table 19 and Table 22
Aggravated Assault Table, “Aggravated Assault, Types of Weapons Used, Percent Distribution by Region, 2017”
Expanded information regarding aggravated assault is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13, Table 14 and Table 15
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17, Table 18 and Table 19
Weapons: Table 15, Table 19 and Table 22
Aggravated Assault Table, “Aggravated Assault, Types of Weapons Used, Percent Distribution by Region, 2017”
