PERSONS APPEALING TO THIS BOARD CAN RECOVER DAMAGES BY CIVIL PROCEEDINGS IN CASES OF INJURY AND DEATH. THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, OF WHOM FIVE ARE PART-TIME MEMBERS, USUALLY SIT IN PANELS OF TWO. THE BOARD IS REQUIRED TO FIND THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME, IN THE PRINCIPAL CLASS OF APPLICATION COMING BEFORE IT, ON THE BASIS OF ADEQUATE AND RELIABLE EVIDENCE. CONSIDERATION MUST BE GIVEN TO ALL RELEVANT FACTORS SUCH AS THE VICTIM'S REPORTING THE CRIME TO THE POLICE. THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF IS COMPOSED OF A REGISTRAR, CHIEF OF INVESTIGATION, TWO INVESTIGATORS, AND SUPPORT STAFFS. EFFORTS ARE UNDERTAKEN TO INCREASE VICTIM AWARENESS OF THE FACT THAT THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION BY THE BOARD. THE INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE PROGRAM IS SEEN IN THE FACT THAT WHILE IN THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 1, 1974 TO MARCH 31, 1975 ONLY 639 APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED, THIS NUMBER HAS INCREASED TO 1,105 DURING THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 1, 1977 TO MARCH 31, 1978. TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED HAD INCREASED FROM $726,928.03 IN THE EARLIER PERIOD TO $1,611,836.88 IN THE LATEST PERIOD. THE AVERAGE AWARD HAS SIMILARLY INCREASED FROM $1,607.77 TO $2,328.06. DURING THE LATEST PERIOD, PAYMENT MADE FOR PAIN AND SUFFERING ACCOUNTED FOR 65.5 PERCENT OF ALL PAYMENTS, LOSS OF EARNINGS ACCOUNTED FOR 16.5 PERCENT, 6 PERCENT WENT FOR LEGAL FEES, 4.5 PERCENT FOR OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS, 4 PERCENT FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES, 3 PERCENT FOR PECUNIARY LOSS TO RELATIVES OF DECEASED VICTIMS, AND 0.5 PERCENT FOR FUNERAL AND BURIAL EXPENSES. SUMMARIES ARE PROVIDED OF BOTH ALLOWED AND DISALLOWED CASES INCLUDING VERY BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DISPENSATION OF CASES IN WHICH PUBLICATION OF EVIDENCE WAS PROHIBITED. (KCP)