Development of methodology for crime recording as the basis for efficient crime control and prevention

Research intends to explore existing knowledge about methods of recording crime data and, on the basis of it, to develop new methodology of crime recording in Serbia. The methodology which will be developed as the result of the research is expected to enable considerable improvement of crime recording. Improved recording will be the basis for more efficient monitoring of crime trends and evaluation of social responses. Also, it will enable evidence based decision making regarding crime suppression and prevention – in general and regarding its individual types in particular. The subject of research will be methods of collection, recording and presentation of crime and crime control data, in Serbia and in the world. The theoretical and empirical research will deal with data recording of both reported and unreported (hidden) crime. Special attention will be paid to recording of data about following crime types, which are considered as having high dark number: juvenile delinquency, violent crime, including violence against women and children, trafficking in persons, war crimes and corruption. On the basis of the analyses of international experiences and situation in Serbia, new methodology of crime recording of both reported and unreported crime will be drafted. New methodology will be tested through quantitative empirical survey on the sample of general population. On the basis of this survey, final proposal of new methodology will be made.