Does a Victim’s Race Influence Violent Crime Arrest? A Test of the Victim Devaluation Thesis

Abstract

The victim devaluation thesis posits that crimes against minorities are less likely to be cleared than those against White victims. Tests of the victim devaluation thesis on violent crimes are inconclusive, and either focuses on homicides or non-lethal violent crimes. Using data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System, this study estimated the effect a victim’s race has on lethal and non-lethal (rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) violent crime arrests. The results provide partial support for the victim devaluation thesis. Although non-lethal violent crimes against Blacks were less likely to be cleared than those against Whites, homicides against Blacks were more likely to be cleared than those against Whites. Further, extralegal variables and the seriousness of the crime affected arrest outcomes.