Discussion focuses on the origins and characteristics of law, current data sources and research techniques, and social theories of crime. The text introduces criminological concepts and methodology, without promoting a specific theoretical framework. The analyses of Index crimes cover homicide, forcible rape, robbery, burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny-theft, and arson. Other types of crime explored are professional and organized crime ('career' crime), frauds by individuals and workplace crime, graft, business crime, governmental crime, and 'victimless' crimes (abortion, gambling, prostitution, drugs, and obscenity). The analyses of Index crimes focuses on crime characteristics and the demographic characteristics of victims and offenders. The analyses of the other offenses emphasize offense characteristics. Chapter notes and name and subject indexes.