NIBRS Resource Guide: Using the Resource Guide

Using the Resource Guide

NACJD, a part of the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) at the University of Michigan, designed this Resource Guide for World Wide Web users to learn about the NIBRS dataset, to connect to other NIBRS information sources, and to easily create custom NIBRS datasets which include user-specified variables and cases from multiple segment levels.

Much of the text in this Resource Guide comes from Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) publications. It has been edited to correspond to the topics of this website. The National Archive of Criminal Justice Data wishes to acknowledge and thank the FBI and the Bureau of Justice Statistics for their assistance and support in furthering the distribution and analysis of NIBRS data.

With this guide, first time users or experienced analysts can:

  • Read about NIBRS’ connection to traditional Uniform Crime Reporting.
  • Connect to other NIBRS-related sites.
  • Understand important concepts specific to NIBRS including: the crime incident, multiple units of analysis, the various NIBRS segment levels, and the offenses covered by NIBRS.
  • Review the NIBRS data structure, including all 13 segment levels.
  • Download all of the NIBRS data files, codebook, and SPSS and SAS data definition statement files.
  • Use the Interactive Code Builder to automate the creation of custom analysis files.

NIBRS and UCR

The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, of which NIBRS is a part, is a city, county, state, and Federal law enforcement program. This program provides a nationwide view of crime based on the submission of crime information by law enforcement agencies throughout the country. The crime data are submitted either through a state UCR Program or directly to the national UCR Program, which is administered by the FBI. Since the 1930s, the data have been used in law enforcement administration, operation, and management, as well as to indicate the levels and nature of crime in the United States.

Throughout its first 60 years of operation, the UCR Program remained virtually unchanged in terms of the data collected and disseminated. As time progressed, a broad utility evolved for UCR data, and law enforcement expanded its capabilities to supply crime information. In the late 1970s, the law enforcement community called for a thorough evaluative study of UCR with the objective of recommending an expanded and enhanced UCR Program to meet law enforcement needs into the 21st century. Following a multiyear study, a “Blueprint for the Future of the Uniform Crime Reporting Program” was developed. Using the “Blueprint” and in consultation with local and state law enforcement executives, new guidelines for Uniform Crime Reports were formulated. The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) is being implemented to meet these guidelines.

NIBRS offers law enforcement and the academic community more comprehensive data than ever before available for management, training, planning, and research. The implementation of NIBRS will be at a pace commensurate with the resources, abilities, and limitations of the contributing law enforcement agencies.

It is important to stress that while NIBRS is being implemented, the traditional UCR reporting format is still being used extensively.