The methods used in this study were the combination of using national statistics and correlating unemployment with each of the reported seven Index crimes. The analysis lends support to the contention that opportunity is a stronger motivator of criminal activity than is deprivation. Also called into question was the propriety of official unemployment rates as indicators of economic deprivation, at least at the State level. Thus, economic deprivation cannot be ruled out as a causal element in crime rates. Future researchers are cautioned to use a more macroscopic (national) or microscopic (community level) approach. 1 table and 28 references. (Author abstract modified)