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1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2002  
Previous ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 25/01/2002   
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Contents >> Crime and Justice >> Outcomes of police investigations

Statistics about the outcomes of investigations describe the status of the processes of police investigations that are initiated following the reporting or detection of an offence. The status of investigations includes:

  • investigations that were not finalised (i.e. were still continuing, were pending or suspended);
  • investigations that were finalised without an offender being proceeded against because the reported offence was not verified, the complaint was withdrawn, or the alleged offender could not be proceeded against because of some statutory or procedural bar; and
  • investigations that were finalised and an offender was proceeded against by initiating court action or some other form of formal proceeding (e.g. a diversionary conference or a caution).

In 2000 a higher proportion of offences against the person (homicide, assault, sexual assault and kidnapping/abduction) reached a finalised status within 30 days of initiation of the investigation than was the case for offences against property (unlawful entry with intent, theft and motor vehicle theft offences). Similarly, the proportion of offenders proceeded against was higher for offences against the person than for property offences.

Table 11.12 presents national statistics on the outcome of investigations, at 30 days after initiation, into selected offences recorded by police in 2000.


11.12 VICTIMS OF RECORDED CRIME, By Outcome of Investigations at 30 Days - 2000(a)
Investigation status
Murder

%
Attempted murder

%
Assault

%
Sexual assault

%
Kidnapping/
Abduction

%
Robbery(b)

%
UEWI(c)

%
Motor vehicle theft

%
Investigation not finalised
35.8
26.9
42.0
59.4
54.7
78.1
92.7
90.3
Investigation finalised -
- No offender proceeded against
5.3
3.3
12.9
17.1
22.2
4.9
1.2
2.2
- Offender proceeded against
58.9
69.8
45.1
23.5
23.1
17.0
6.1
7.4
Total Investigation finalised
64.2
73.1
58.0
40.6
45.3
21.9
7.3
9.7
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
(a) For selected offences recorded by police during 1 January to 31 December 2000.
(b) Robbery includes both Armed and Unarmed robbery.
(c) Unlawful entry with intent.

Source: Recorded Crime, Australia, 2000 (4510.0).


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