Cross-national crime research should be of interest to investigators and policymakers in all countries, particularly since crime has been increasing globally in recent years and is likely to continue to do so in the future. Moreover, several United Nations conferences have concluded crime is a major concern to all its member nations. The book identifies and describes different types of cross-national crime data and sources from which the data can be obtained. Issues surrounding the quality of official crime data are discussed in terms of making cross-national comparisons and doing cross-national research. Unofficial crime data, including victimization and self-report data are also considered, and major theories advanced to explain variations in crime rates across nations and over time are critically reviewed. The literature on past cross-national research on violent crime (primarily homicide) and property crimes is considered. Finally, the future of cross-national crime research is explored. Appendixes contain additional information on how to locate data, information, and contacts relevant to cross-national crime research. References