Final answer:
Under-reporting is a significant issue for both the UCR and NCVS, which can be due to various reasons, including victims' reluctance and the inability of surveys to reach all demographics. The NCVS particularly struggles to include those without telephones or who move frequently, and victims' recall may not always be accurate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under-Reporting in Crime Data
The Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) and the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) are significant tools for understanding crime statistics in the United States. However, both sources are subject to the problem of under-reporting.
The UCR, which compiles data from law enforcement agencies, does not capture crimes that go unreported due to victims' reluctance, whereas the NCVS, a self-report study conducted through questionnaires and interviews, may miss certain populations like those without phones or who move frequently, and can be affected by inaccurate victim recall.
One key disadvantage of the NCVS mentioned is that it may be unable to reach important groups such as those without telephones, rendering some crime data invisible (Option b). Additionally, other factors leading to under-reporting include victims' fear, shame, distrust in the police, and the possibility of victims denying abuse even when confronted. Meanwhile, public perception of crime is often influenced by media portrayals, leading to the belief that crime is worse than it actually is.
It is also important to note that recent initiatives, like the transition to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) by 2021, aim to improve the detail and reliability of crime data by including more specific information about each crime event.