A graph showing the gap between reported and unreported crimes over time, highlighting the limitations of official criminal statistics.

Limitations of Criminal Statistics: A Critical Overview

Introduction Criminal statistics serve as one of the most essential tools for understanding crime trends, evaluating law enforcement performance, and shaping public policy. However, these statistics are far from perfect. In fact, a critical examination reveals several limitations and distortions that significantly undermine their reliability and validity. Despite their widespread use in criminology, policymaking, and…