Order and Classification of Crimes Based on Their Severity

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to identify classes or order of crimes from the view of their severity evaluated by people as well as to examine some different methods of aggregation for those classification and ordering. Here, three types of methods are used to aggregate each individual answer: an ordinary summation method applied to ranking method data, MDPREF as a multidimensional scaling analysis applied to paired comparisons data, and fuzzy relational method applied to paired comparisons data. Applying these three methods for the data obtained from students by questionnaire survey, following outcomes are found. Methodologically, each method reaches almost same order of crimes, but on the way of analysis, provides an important knowledge. Multidimensional analysis guaranteed the one-dimensional scaling, and the fuzzy relational approach provides different partitions according to dominance level. Substantively, although evaluated crime severity is basically as same as severity measured by formal sanction in the criminal law, some important traits are recognized. The most severe crime is murder, and there is no difference among arson, kidnapping and rape. Abortion is evaluated more seriously especially among young women. Rape is evaluated more severely than the consequences stated in legal sanction. This collective consciousness could, in time, result in political or social pressure on the legal process.