FBI Definitions of Crime Categories

Murder: The willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another.

Negligent Manslaughter: The killing of another person through gross negligence.

Non-Negligent Manslaughter: The willful, non-negligent killing of a human being by another. As a general rule, any death due to injuries received in a fight, argument, quarrel, assault, or commitment of a crime.

Forcible Sex Offense: Any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that person’s will, or not forcibly or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent due to age and mental impairment.

Non-Forcible Sex Offense: Unlawful, non-forcible sexual intercourse consisting of person(s) who are related to each other or who are under statutory age of consent.

Robbery: The taking of money and/or other valuables under the threat of physical harm or force, with or without a threat.

Aggravated Assault: An unlawful attack by a person(s) upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily

injury.

Arson: Any willful or malicious burning or attempting to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling, house, public building, motor vehicle, aircraft, or personal property of another.

Burglary: The breaking and entering, with no personal threat involved and usually no confrontation between burglar and victim.

Larceny: The act of stealing, in which neither illegal entry nor the threat or use of force is present.

Motor Vehicle Theft: The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.

Liquor Law Incidents: Prohibits the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, or use of alcoholic beverages.

Drug Abuse Incidents: Prohibits the production, distribution and/or use of certain controlled substances and the equipment or devices utilized in their preparation and/or use.

Weapons Possessions: The violation of laws prohibiting the possession, concealment, and use of a firearm or other deadly weapon.

Hate Crimes: Any of the above crimes that manifest evidence of prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.

  Last Modified Date: November 18, 2009
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