DATA
REASONABLENESS
2003
So…what is
Data Reasonableness?
 Data is reviewed for possible errors
or problems.
 Some issues are common sense.
 Data is compared to national norms
and past data submissions.
 Just because something is marked
for review does not mean it is wrong.
 The purpose of data review is to
maintain data quality.
Common Problems
 Disorderly Conduct or Assault?
 Reporting Hate/Bias Crimes
 Multiple Offense Incidents
 Burglary
 Property Classifications
 Assaults w/weapons/injuries
 Victim to Offender Relationships
 Other Reasonableness Issues
Offense Classification
FBI Offense Definitions vs.
Statutory Offense Definitions
 Reporting to NIBRS – must use
standard national offense
definitions to determine offense
classification.
Disorderly Conduct
or Assault?
If a person is charged with
Disorderly Conduct, and an assault
occurred, the crime must be
classified as Simple or Aggravated
Assault (depending upon the
circumstances), regardless of the
criminal charges.
Hate/Bias Crime
FBI Definition:
“ A criminal offense committed
against a person or property, which is
motivated in whole or in part by the
offender’s bias against a race, religion,
disability, ethnicity/national origin, or
sexual orientation. Also known as a
hate crime.”
Burglary
 Time
The EARLIEST possible time!
 Location
make sure you select the correct
location.
 Forcible/Non Forcible Entry
Read the narrative!
Entry through an unlocked door
or window = Non Forcible.
Burglary and Larceny – One
Incident
 Reasonable or not?
 Possible but not probable.



Larceny is an element
of burglary.
Property taken should be reported as part of the
burglary.
A larceny would only occur if property were taken
outside the burglary.
A bicycle left in the front yard is taken by the
offender when he leaves. No illegal entry
occurred during the theft of the bicycle. A larceny
offense would also be reported in the incident.
Multiple Offense Incidents

You can report up to 10
Group A offenses per each
Group A incident.

Be sure to report all applicable
offenses per each incident.
RETURN A RECORD CARD
YEAR
STATE
2002
Tennessee
MONTH
MURDER
AGENCY
SMSA
ORI
AGG
SIMPLE
BURGLARY
ASSAULT
ASSAULT
Anyw here Police Dept.
FORCIBLE
ROBBERY
RAPE
January
1
2
4
11
43
7
February
0
1
4
13
37
12
March
0
2
6
14
29
9
3MO TOTAL
1
5
14
38
109
28
April
1
3
3
10
31
9
May
0
0
5
12
30
10
June
3
1
7
10
33
13
6MO TOTAL
5
9
29
70
203
60
July
1
2
5
16
34
9
August
1
4
5
15
28
14
September
0
1
4
10
24
11
9MO TOTAL
7
16
43
111
289
94
October
2
1
4
13
27
12
November
0
1
3
13
29
12
December
0
2
7
10
26
16
12 MO TOTAL
9
20
57
147
371
134
Does the data
on this card
appear to be
reasonable?
YES
_________
RETURN A RECORD CARD
YEAR
STATE
2002
Tennessee
MONTH
MURDER
AGENCY
SMSA
ORI
AGG
SIMPLE
BURGLARY
ASSAULT
ASSAULT
Anyw here Police Dept.
FORCIBLE
ROBBERY
RAPE
January
1
2
4
11
43
7
February
0
1
4
13
37
12
March
0
2
6
14
29
9
3MO TOTAL
1
5
14
38
109
28
April
1
3
3
10
31
9
May
0
0
5
12
30
10
June
3
1
7
10
33
13
6MO TOTAL
5
9
29
70
203
60
July
1
2
5
16
34
9
August
1
4
5
15
28
14
September
0
1
4
10
24
11
9MO TOTAL
8
16
43
111
289
94
October
24
1
4
13
27
12
November
0
1
3
13
29
12
December
0
2
7
10
26
16
12 MO TOTAL
32
20
57
147
371
134
Does the data
on this card
appear to be
reasonable?
NO
_________
YEAR
STATE
2002
Tennessee
MONTH
MURDER
AGENCY
SMSA
ORI
AGG
SIMPLE
BURGLARY
ASSAULT
ASSAULT
Anyw here Police Dept.
FORCIBLE
ROBBERY
RAPE
January
1
2
4
11
43
7
February
0
1
4
13
37
12
March
0
2
6
14
29
9
3MO TOTAL
1
5
14
38
109
28
April
1
3
3
10
31
9
May
0
0
5
12
30
10
June
3
1
7
10
33
13
6MO TOTAL
5
9
29
70
203
60
July
1
2
5
16
34
9
August
1
4
5
15
28
14
September
0
1
4
10
24
8
9MO TOTAL
8
16
43
111
289
91
October
24
1
4
13
27
12
November
0
1
3
13
29
12
December
0
2
7
10
26
16
12 MO TOTAL
32
20
57
147
371
131
When
compared to
previous
data, the
number of
Murders is
unreasonably
high.
Property
Value
Does everything in
your jurisdiction
cost one dollar?
Property Value
You be the Judge:
New 19” Color TV
Value: $1.00
Reasonable or not?
1999 Corvette
Value: $1.00
Reasonable or not?
Other
Reasonableness Issues


Attempted/Completed
Always completed?
Classification of Offenses and
Property
Use your manual!
Call your contact if you have
questions.
Property Classifications
You be the Judge:
Can you classify the theft of a
747 jet liner as Shoplifting?
Property Classifications
You be the Judge:
Well…
probably
not.
Assaults
 Always aggravated?
 Weapon Type:
Always a firearm?
Assaults
You be the Judge:
In 2001/2002 a total of 98
Aggravated Assaults were reported
with no injury or weapon by Tennessee
Agencies.
Reasonable or not?
Simple Assaults
Simple Assaults without
any injury or weapon?
Reasonable or not?
Possible but not probable. A simple
assault is usually some type of physical
attack and almost always will require at
least the use of personal weapons –
fist, hands, and feet.
Victim to Offender
Relationships
Is it reasonable to have a victim of
incest with a relationship to the
offender of “acquaintance”?
Reasonable or not?
Not Reasonable! By definition of incest,
the relationship must be family.
Victim Age
Is it reasonable to have the victim
of incest be 8 years old?
Reasonable or not?
Not Reasonable! Incest is a non-violent sex
offense per FBI definition and is predicated
on the fact that the victim is old enough to
make an informed decision.
Because this victim is only 8, the
classification would be a forcible sex offense.
The specific offense would be based on the
circumstances.
Shoplifting Victim
Is it reasonable to have the victim
of shoplifting be an individual?
Reasonable or not?
Not Reasonable! The victim of
shoplifting should be a business!
Robbery Victim
Is it reasonable to have the victim of
a robbery be a financial institution
only?
Reasonable or Not?
Not Reasonable! A confrontation
between the offender and an individual
must occur. The bank or business will
also be a victim.
Vehicle Thefts
Four vehicles are stolen. The types are
truck and automobile. How can you
determine the number of each type
stolen?
You can not determine the number by type
if using the standard NIBRS property
segment.
There is only one field for entry of number
of vehicles and then the different vehicle
types are entered as type of property
stolen.
Common Issues
Common Issues
Incorrect Relationship for Victim Age
Credit Card/ATM Fraud with property = Stolen Card
Incorrect Relationship for Incest
Stolen Radios/TV/VCR with offense Theft Vehicle Parts
Victim Age Range Greater than 10 Years
Shoplifting Victim not Business
Offender Age Range Greater than 10 Years
Incorrect Victim Age
Usage of Property category of "99" - Special
Incident Hour is 00 - Unknown
Stolen Aircraft
All Other Larceny with property = Structure
Agg Assault with minor injury or no weapon
Simple Assault with minor injury and no weapon
Arson with high $$ - property category of "77" - Other
Burglary and Larceny/Theft together in same incident
2001
11
1,949
15
2,173
640
1,255
2,107
43
464
40,222
22
289
49
898
117
226,589
2002
7
2,024
20
2,315
760
1,181
2,523
44
255
41,141
14
276
49
914
67
224,044
Total Reported Offenses
580,516
580,047
% of 2001 % of 2002
0.00%
0.00%
0.34%
0.35%
0.00%
0.00%
0.37%
0.40%
0.11%
0.13%
0.22%
0.20%
0.36%
0.43%
0.01%
0.01%
0.08%
0.04%
6.93%
7.09%
0.00%
0.00%
0.05%
0.05%
0.01%
0.01%
0.15%
0.16%
0.02%
0.01%
Now What?
 The problems are identified – so
what do you do to prevent it and
correct the issues?
 Agency Notification – to correct
problems and discuss with officers
 Training – incorporated into our
training
 16 hours per year required
Now What?

Auditing – On-site audits are
conducted at every agency once
every 3 years
 On-Line Reports – Agencies have
access to a copy of our database
 DQ Reports are available at the web site
so agencies can identify their problems
quickly
Summary

Data Reasonableness is a necessary
component of ensuring data quality.

Informing agencies of specific
reasonableness issues will allow
the reporting of more accurate data.
Questions?
Contact Information
Jackie Vandercook
(615) 744-4014
E-mail:
Jackie.Vandercook@state.tn.us
Web site: www.tbi.state.tn.us
For manuals, training schedules, etc.
Thank You!