ERIC_NO:
ED315469
TITLE:
The Study of the Character of Civil Rights Crimes in Massachusetts (1983-1987).
AUTHOR:
McDevitt, Jack
PUBLICATION_DATE:
1989
ABSTRACT:
This report presents results of a research project designed to increase understanding of civil rights crime through a systematic description of
the characteristics of incidents that occurred in Boston (Massachusetts)
between 1983 and 1987. Data were taken from police incident reports and
are limited to only those cases that were reported to the Boston Police
Department. Section 1, "Introduction and Study Design," covers the following
topics: (1) "Background"; (2) "Data Description"; and (3) "Data Limitations."
Section 2, "Characteristics of Incidents," covers the following topics:
(1) "Race of Victim"; (2) "Race of Offender"; (3) "Victim Offender Racial
Combinations"; (4) "Seriousness of the Incident"; and (5) "Rationale for
Racial Attacks." Section 3, "Identification, Investigation and Apprehension
of Suspects," covers the following topics: (1) "Identification of Incidents";
(2) "Victim Participation"; and (3) "Suspect Apprehension." Section 4,
"Case Handling and Resolution by the Courts," covers the following topics:
(1) "Use of Civil Injunctions"; and (2) "Processing of Civil Rights Cases
in Boston Courts." Seven end notes, 2 figures, and 11 tables are included.
A copy of a Boston Police Department incident report is appended. (JS)
MAJOR_DESCRIPTORS:
Civil Rights; Crime; Individual Characteristics; Police Action; Racial Relations; Victims of Crime;
MINOR DESCRIPTORS:
Antisocial Behavior; Blacks; Court Litigation; Investigations; Motivation; Racial Bias; Whites;
IDENTIFIERS:
Massachusetts (Boston)
PUBLICATION_TYPE:
143