Understanding NIBRS: The Group "B" Arrest Report
The Group "B" Arrest Report
When generating NIBRS data into an ASCII text format, there are eight segments in the NIBRS file (numbered 0–7). Each segment represents a single line in the text file, separated by a line break. (NIBRS data in XML format follows the same rules but looks much different in format.) We have already covered 6 of these segments, so next up is the Level 7 - or "The Group "B" Arrest Report."
Classification Categories
Group "B" offenses are often considered "lower-level crimes" and are only submitted when an arrest is involved. It's important to note that the Group "B" Arrest Report does not include incident data but uses only data elements that describe the arrestee and the circumstances of the arrest.
At the time of this post, the following classifications are included in Group "B" Arrest Reports:
Bad Checks (90A)
Curfew/Loitering/Vagrancy Violations (90B)
Disorderly Conduct (90C)
Driving Under the Influence (90D)
Drunkenness (90E)
Family Offenses, Nonviolent (90F)
Liquor Law Violations (90G)
Peeping Tom (90H)
Runaway (90I)
Trespass of Real Property (90J)
All Other Offenses (90Z)
Data Elements
Group "B" Arrest Reports consist of the following 13 data elements:
Data Element 1: ORI Number
An ORI Number is a valid 9-character NCIC number provided by the FBI.
Since an ORI uniquely identifies your agency within NIBRS, it is highly recommended that you verify its accuracy before you begin submitting.
For most agencies, the ORI is a setting in your RMS.
Data Element *41: Arrest (Transaction) Number
The arrest transaction number is a unique number associated with each arrest report.
Agencies commonly use incident numbers as the arrest transaction number, but any unique number will work.
Note, to use an incident number in a case with multiple arrests, append a number or letter to each arrest number to make it unique.
Besides being unique, the number must be 12 or fewer characters and composed of numbers, letters, or a hyphen. Special characters besides the hyphen are not permitted.
Data Element *40: Arrestee (Sequence) Number
This data element assigns a unique number to each arrestee within the incident.
Data Element 42: Arrest Date
Use this field to submit the date of arrest for the arrestee.
The FBI requires the date in the format YYYY/MM/DD.
Ensure the Arrest date exceeds the Incident date; otherwise, the case will be rejected.
Data Element 43: Type of Arrest
Arrest type is used to indicate how the offender was arrested. There are three possible choices for this field:
The first choice is "On-View Arrest," which indicates when the arrest is not based on a warrant or previously submitted arrest report.
Next is "Taken Into Custody," which is an arrest based on a warrant or previously submitted arrest report.
Lastly, "Summoned/Cited" is used when the arrestee is not taken into custody.
Data Element 45: UCR Arrest Offense Code
The field indicates the offense for which the offender was arrested. The offender might be charged with multiple offenses, but this is the most serious offense related to the arrestee.
Determining the most serious offense is left to the reporting agency.
Users of the In-Synch RMS, did you know that the topmost charge associated with an arrestee in Case Contacts is what In-Synch reports as the arrest offense?
To change the topmost offense, use the ranking arrows next to the charges in Case Contacts to adjust an offense up and down.
Data Element 46: Arrestee Was Armed With
Use this field to indicate if the arrestee possessed a weapon at the time of the arrest.
The FBI provides space to indicate up to two weapons.
Remember, "Unarmed" cannot be paired with any other value.
Data Element 47: Age (of Arrestee)
Use this data element to report the arrestee's age.
Data Element 48: Sex (of Arrestee)
Use this data element to report the arrestee's sex.
Data Element 49: Race (of Arrestee)
Use this data element to report the arrestee's race.
Data Element 50: Ethnicity (of Arrestee)
Use this data element to report the arrestee's ethnicity.
Data Element 51: Resident Status (of Arrestee)
Use this data element to indicate if the arrestee was a resident of the reporting agency's jurisdiction.
Data Element 52: Disposition of Arrestee Under 18
The purpose of this field is to indicate the nature of the arrestee's detention.
There are only two choices with a disposition under 18.
The first choice is "Handled Within Department."
An example of an agency using this choice is when the juvenile is released to parents or released with warnings.
The second choice is "Referred to Other Authorities".
Examples of this choice are turning over to juvenile court, a probation department, a welfare agency, etc.
*The order of these two data elements is reversed from that in the Arrestee Segment.
And with that, we've wrapped up the "Group "B" Arrest Report (Level 7)." Until next month, we hope you stay safe and look forward to seeing you back here to continue our NIBRS journey.
Sources:
Comments