Crime Research Group
Recently Completed Research
Applying Routine Activity Theory to Crimes Against Vulnerable Adults and the Elderly - Explores the question: “What are the victimization patterns for the vulnerable and elderly populations?” This project analyzes how crimes against vulnerable adults and the elderly are handled by police, prosecutors, the judiciary, and corrections. Examples of data within the report: Victim Characteristics and Defendant Characteristics.
LE Data Analysis - This project aimed to make usable and demonstrate practicality of National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data and to create five “mini reports”: - Human Trafficking
- Domestic Violence
- Property Crime
- Offenses by County
- Incidents by Time of Day/Day of Week.
Examples of data within each report: Offenses Associated with Sex Trafficking , Sex Trafficking Victim’s Age, Crimes Committed During Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence Victimizations by Relationship, Property Crime Offenses by Year, Property Crime by Type of Offense, Top 10 Offenses Statewide by Type of Offense, Chittenden County’s Top Offenses, Simple Assault by Day of Week/Time of Day, and Shoplifting by Day of Week/Time of Day.
Rural and Urban Domestic Violence in Vermont - Investigates possible disparities throughout the state re: injuries, police coverage, and victim compensation for intimate partner violence victims. Explores the question: “Do intimate partner assaults result in more serious injuries in areas where there is no local police coverage versus those areas that have a local police force?” Examples of data within the report: Law Enforcement Agencies with Largest Number of Victims, Victim Age Distribution, Agencies Reporting Most Serious Injuries, and Incidents, Seriousness of Injuries, and Criminal Court Filings.
Applying Routine Activity Theory to Crimes Against Vulnerable Adults and the Elderly - Explores the question: “What are the victimization patterns for the vulnerable and elderly populations?” This project analyzes how crimes against vulnerable adults and the elderly are handled by police, prosecutors, the judiciary, and corrections. Examples of data within the report: Victim Characteristics and Defendant Characteristics.
LE Data Analysis - This project aimed to make usable and demonstrate practicality of National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data and to create five “mini reports”: - Human Trafficking
- Domestic Violence
- Property Crime
- Offenses by County
- Incidents by Time of Day/Day of Week.
Examples of data within each report: Offenses Associated with Sex Trafficking , Sex Trafficking Victim’s Age, Crimes Committed During Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence Victimizations by Relationship, Property Crime Offenses by Year, Property Crime by Type of Offense, Top 10 Offenses Statewide by Type of Offense, Chittenden County’s Top Offenses, Simple Assault by Day of Week/Time of Day, and Shoplifting by Day of Week/Time of Day.
Rural and Urban Domestic Violence in Vermont - Investigates possible disparities throughout the state re: injuries, police coverage, and victim compensation for intimate partner violence victims. Explores the question: “Do intimate partner assaults result in more serious injuries in areas where there is no local police coverage versus those areas that have a local police force?” Examples of data within the report: Law Enforcement Agencies with Largest Number of Victims, Victim Age Distribution, Agencies Reporting Most Serious Injuries, and Incidents, Seriousness of Injuries, and Criminal Court Filings.
Examples of Current Projects
Victimization of People of Color - Undertakes a comprehensive review of case processing for crimes against people of color in Vermont using state NIBRS data, criminal histories, and court data including arrests, prosecutions, and sentencing.
Probation & Parole - Develops a holistic view of these populations and their trajectory through the system including demographics, length of time on probation and parole, conditions of probation and parole, and violations.
Equal Access to Alternative Programs - With racial disparities evident in the incarcerated population, this project will seek to uncover if the alternative programs are contributing to racial and ethnic disparities.
Victimization of People of Color - Undertakes a comprehensive review of case processing for crimes against people of color in Vermont using state NIBRS data, criminal histories, and court data including arrests, prosecutions, and sentencing.
Probation & Parole - Develops a holistic view of these populations and their trajectory through the system including demographics, length of time on probation and parole, conditions of probation and parole, and violations.
Equal Access to Alternative Programs - With racial disparities evident in the incarcerated population, this project will seek to uncover if the alternative programs are contributing to racial and ethnic disparities.
by the numbers: using data to mitigate systemic racism in the criminal justice system
- A presentation for the VERMONT Legislature's social equity caucus -
DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS
Crime Research Group (CRG) supports data-driven policy and decision-making through research, analysis, and program evaluation in the field of criminal justice. The CRG team is a unique, Vermont-based group of professional researchers, college faculty, attorneys, and former public servants and practitioners with decades of experience in crime analysis. Crime Research Group conducts research, provides technical assistance, evaluates programs and new initiatives, and assists stakeholders through consultation and organizational development in the fields of criminal and restorative justice, racial and juvenile justice, and in the areas of victimology and domestic/intimate partner violence. Through the Department of Public Safety (which operates as Vermont’s Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) under 42 U.S.C. § 3732 and Title 3 App. V.S.A. ch. 13, § 7) CRG provides contracted services as the SAC for the State of Vermont.
