There are 28 Group A crime categories made up of 71 Group A offenses.  NIBRS contributors should use the following criteria to determine if a crime should be designated as a Group A offense:

• The seriousness or significance of the offense.

• The frequency or volume of its occurrence.

• The prevalence of the offense nationwide.

• The probability LE becomes aware of the offense.

• The likelihood LE is the best channel for collecting data regarding the offense.

• The burden placed on LE in collecting data on the offense.

• The national statistical validity and usefulness of the data collected.

• The national UCR Program’s responsibility to make crime data available not only to LE but to others having a legitimate interest in it.

The UCR Program does not collect information on traffic offenses (e.g., parking and moving violations) except for Driving Under the Influence, Hit and Run (of a person), and Vehicular Manslaughter.

Each NIBRS offense belongs in one of three categories Crimes Against Persons, Crimes Against Property, and Crimes Against Society. Crimes Against Persons, e.g., Murder, Rape, and Assault, are those offenses whose victims are always individuals. The object of Crimes Against Property, e.g., Robbery, Bribery, and Burglary, is to obtain money, property, or some other benefit. Crimes Against Society, e.g., Animal Cruelty, Drug Violations, Gambling, and Prostitution, represent society’s prohibition against engaging in certain types of activity.

NIBRS assigned a separate numbering series to the 13 Group B crime categories consisting of 13 Group B offenses. The numbering series used 90 for the first two characters of each Group B offense and designated an alpha character for the third position.

Group B offenses are also called arrest reports, since an arrest HAS to be made for a Group B offense. 

The Year-to-Date comparison reports show the number of offenses, clearances, stolen and recovered property for the current year-to-date compared with the same period in the previous year in various reports. This allows an agency to determine if there is a marked increase or decrease in crime or if there was an issue in reporting crime.

The Crime Trend Analysis reports show the number of offenses on a monthly basis for the selected time period. This analysis is useful to help forecast the volume of crime or analyze crime patterns.

The Crime Density report shows the geographic distribution of crime by county. This report shows hotspots areas that may need extra resources.

The Distribution Breakdown report is similar to the Crime Distribution report and displays two demographic characteristics instead of one. The report can drill down into any one characteristic and display the breakdown of a second characteristic.

The Anomaly Reports go a step beyond the FBI’s validation rules and display incidents that may need additional attention to verify that the incident correctly reflects the details of the crime. These incidents may be correct as they are, but contain an unusual combination of data elements which may generate an FBI request for incident verification or correction.