National Crime Victimization Survey

NCVS-554_capi_info_booklet[1]

National Crime Victimization Survey

OMB: 1121-0111

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NCVS-554

EA
EN
UO
F TH E C

U.S.
D

ENT OF C
TM
O
AR

CE
ER
M
M

(2-8-2008)

U.S. Department
of Commerce

NATIONAL
CRIME
VICTIMIZATION
SURVEY
(NCVS)

Economics and Statistics
Administration

FIELD
REPRESENTATIVE’S
CAPI
INFORMATION CARD
BOOKLET
2008–2009

USCENSUSBUREAU

(Cut along broken lines)

U.S. CENSUS
BUREAU

PRIVACY ACT INFORMATION
"The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting the National Crime Victimization Survey for the Bureau of
Justice Statistics of the United States Department of Justice under the authority of Title 13, United
States Code, Section 8. Section 9 of this law requires us to keep all information about you and
your household strictly confidential. The survey’s purpose is to provide information on the kinds
and amount of crime committed against households and individuals throughout the country. All
survey information will be used for statistical purposes only. Also, Title 42, Section 3732, United
States Code, authorizes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Department of Justice, to collect
information using this survey. Title 42, Sections 3789g and 3735, United States Code, also
requires us to keep all information about you and your household strictly confidential.

PRIVACY ACT/
COMMON
QUESTIONS
(Right)

Participation in this survey is voluntary and there are no penalties for refusing to answer any
questions. However, your cooperation is extremely important to help ensure the completeness and
accuracy of this much needed information."

DO NOT CALL REGISTRY
With the establishment of the Do Not Call Registry in 2003, respondents may begin asking Census
Bureau staff to stop calling them because they are on the Registry. This Registry is designed to
screen out unwanted telemarketing calls. Collecting Census Bureau survey data is NOT
telemarketing.
Use the following statement if respondents mention they are on the National Do Not Call Registry:
"As a Federal government agency, the Census Bureau is not engaged in
telemarketing and we are not covered by the Do Not Call Registry."

COMMON QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTED ANSWERS

This survey, called the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), collects data measuring the
types and amount of crime involving persons 12 years of age and older. Periodically, the survey
includes such additional topics as crime in schools, identity theft, contacts with law enforcement,
and crime in the workplace.
How was I selected for this survey?
Actually, we selected your living quarters, not you personally, for this survey. We scientifically
selected approximately 48,000 addresses across the country to represent the entire population. At
each selected address, we interview household members 12 years of age and older. If your
household should move away while your address is still in the survey, we would interview the new
family that moves in.
Information about your participation
We are conducting this survey under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 8.
Section 9 of this law requires us to keep all information about you and your household strictly
confidential. We may use this information only for statistical purposes. Also, Title 42, Section 3732,
United States Code, authorizes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, to
collect information using this survey. Title 42, Sections 3789g and 3735, United States code also
requires us to keep all information about you and your household strictly confidential.
I thought that the U.S. Census Bureau operated only every 10 years, when they
counted people. What is the Census Bureau doing now?
In addition to the decennial census, which is conducted every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau
collects many different kinds of statistics. We conduct other censuses required by law on a regular
basis, including the censuses of business and manufacturers and the census of state and local
governments. Additionally, we collect data on a monthly basis to provide current information on
such topics as labor force participation, retail and wholesale trade, various manufacturing
activities, and trade statistics. We also conduct yearly surveys of business, manufacturing and
governments, family income, and education.

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

Page 1

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What is this survey all about?

USES OF THE NCVS DATA
The NCVS provides information on crimes that are of interest to the general public, government
agencies, and the criminal justice community, to name a few.

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
The NCVS is used by many government agencies to measure the effectiveness of government
programs and to develop victim assistance, compensation, and prevention programs. Some specific
examples are:

• DEPARTMENT of JUSTICE
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) of the U.S. Department of Justice is responsible for
collecting, analyzing, publishing, and disseminating statistical information on crime, its
perpetrators and victims, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government. The
BJS is also responsible for providing timely and accurate data about crime and the
administration of justice to the President, Congress, other government officials, and the
general public.

• DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION
Uses the NCVS findings to measure nonfatal victimizations at school in order to inform the nation
on the current nature of crime in schools and the prevalence of students victimized at school.

• DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Uses the NCVS findings to examine the magnitude of nonfatal workplace victimizations and identify
occupations and workplaces at high–risk for violence so that effective preventive measures are
developed.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Many academics and researchers use the NCVS data to prepare reports and scholarly
publications. Researchers also use the NCVS information to study various issues including:
•

Why certain persons are victimized more than others,

•

The characteristics of attempted versus actual victimizations,

•

The reasons why persons do not report incidents to the police, and

•

Victimization of juveniles, domestic violence, gun–related crimes, multiple victimizations,
and so forth.

OTHER USERS OF THE NCVS DATA
•

National Crime Prevention Council
Uses the NCVS data to develop programs on crime prevention and to train and educate
individuals, communities, and organizations throughout the United States on effective
crime prevention practices.

•

Community groups
Use the data to develop neighborhood watch programs.

•

Law enforcement agencies
Use the NCVS findings for training purposes, and the findings can be seen in crime
prevention public service announcements and in crime documentaries. Law enforcement
agencies in various cities also use NCVS data to increase:
•

Citizen cooperation with officials in deterring and detecting crime,

•

Special police strike forces to combat those crimes which the survey indicates as being
most prevalent, and

•

Street and park lighting programs in those areas with the highest reported crime rates.

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

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USES OF THE NCVS — CONTINUED
OTHER USERS OF THE NCVS DATA — Continued
•

Print and broadcast media
Regularly cite NCVS findings when reporting on a host of crime-related topics.

•

Other uses of the NCVS
Other reasons why data users want the crime victimization information produced from the
NCVS include:
Planning for public education programs, police patrol strategies and new communities and
housing projects. This type of planning requires knowledge of the characteristics of
victimized persons and households, as well as when and where victimizations occur.

•

Conducting feasibility studies and planning programs for the restitution and compensation to
victims of crime. These studies and programs require information on the nature and extent
of injury and loss that results from criminal victimization.

•

Assessing the need for property identification programs. These programs require information
on the amount of property recovered after burglaries and thefts.

•

Understanding more about the nature and extent of biases in police data on known
offenses. These studies require knowledge of the levels of nonreporting to the police,
together with information on the kinds of victimization that are disproportionately not
reported to the police.

USES OF THE
NCVS
(Left/Right)

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•

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Page 3

LISTING REMINDERS
PERMIT SEGMENTS

by observation. Enter a dash (–) in column (2) for single units or enter the appropriate unit
☞ List
designations in column (2) for multi-units.
yourself to a household member at a single-unit address or a knowledgeable person at a
☞ Introduce
multi-unit address and verify that you have listed all units that use the basic address. Make
corrections as necessary.

EXAMPLES FOR VERIFYING THE LISTING
SINGLE UNIT ADDRESS –
Verify the listing with a household member by asking:
What is your exact address? (Verify that the address given matches the address printed on
the listing sheet.) I have listed one unit at (Read basic address). Are there other living
quarters – either occupied or vacant – at this address?"
MULTI-UNIT ADDRESS (Permit segments only) – Verify the listing with a building
superintendent, manager, rental agent, or other knowledgeable person, such as a long-time
resident by asking:
"What is your exact address? (Verify that the address given matches the address on the
listing sheet.) I have listed apartments _____through ______ at (Read basic address).
Have I listed any units that are not used as living quarters? (PAUSE) Have I
missed any living quarters – either occupied or vacant – which use the basic
address (Read basic address)?"
in the "Footnotes" section any differences between number of units expected and
☞ Explain
number of units found.
☞ Complete the "Multi-units" section, if applicable.
☞ Complete the "Listed and Updated" section.
MULTI-UNIT ADDRESS (Unit segments only)

▼

The expected number of units is between 2 and 4,

▼

There are missing and/or duplicate unit designations to resolve, or

▼

the unit designation for the the current NCVS sample and conduct the interview. Take
☞ Locate
additional action only if:

You cannot find the current sample unit(s).

to Form 11–8, Volume I, of the Listing and Coverage Manual: A Survival Guide for the
☞ Refer
Field Representative, for specific instructions for these three situations.

WHEN TO FILL THE CAPI CASE LEVEL NOTES IN THE INSTRUMENT
• Type A Noninterviews (all kinds, except confirmed refusals)
• Type B Noninterviews (all kinds)
• Type C Noninterviews (all kinds)
• Type Z Noninterviews (all reasons)
• Proxy Interviews (all reasons, with details of proxy conditions)
• Partial Interviews (Specify Line #’s missing information)
• Classification of Living Quarters Problems
• Conducted an interview for the entire household with a nonhousehold respondent (Specify details
of Proxy Conditions and who the nonhousehold member is.)
• Anytime after a contact or attempted contact with the household.
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SUMMARY TABLE FOR DETERMINING WHO IS TO BE
INCLUDED AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSEHOLD

Any person in unit, including members of family, lodgers, servants,
farm hands, or other employees, visitors, etc.
1. Ordinarily stay here all the time (sleep here)
2. Here temporarily – no living quarters held for persons elsewhere
3. Here temporarily – living quarters held for persons elsewhere
In Armed Forces
1. Stationed in this locality, usually sleep here
2. Temporarily here on leave – stationed elsewhere
Students
1. Living here while attending school
2. Here on short holiday, usually live at school
3. Here on summer vacation from school

Include as
member of
household
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes

B. ABSENT PERSONS WHO USUALLY LIVE HERE
Inmates of specified institutions – Absent because inmate in a
specified institution, regardless of whether or not living quarters
held for person here
Persons temporarily absent away visiting friends, on vacation, in
general hospital, etc.
(including veterans’ facilities that are general hospitals) – Living
quarters held here for person
Absent in connection with job
1. Living quarters held here for person – temporarily absent "while on
the road" in connection with a job (e.g., traveling salespersons,
railroad personnel, bus driver, long haul truck drivers)
2. Living quarters held here and elsewhere for person but comes
less often (e.g., construction engineers)
3. Living quarters held here at home for unmarried college student
away from home during summer school vacation

Yes

Yes
No
Yes
No

Students – Living away while attending school

No
Yes

C. EXCEPTIONS AND DOUBTFUL CASES
Person with two concurrent residences
1. Regularly sleep greater part of week in another locality
2. Regularly sleep greater part of week here
Citizens of foreign countries temporarily in the United States
1. Living on premises of an Embassy, Ministry, Legation,
Chancellery, or Consulate
2. Not living on premises of an Embassy, Ministry, etc. –
a. If living and studying here and no usual place of
residence elsewhere in the United States
b. If living and working here and no usual place of
residence elsewhere in the United States
c. If merely visiting or traveling in the United States
Student nurses living at school
NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

No
Yes

Yes
Yes
No
No

Page 5

SUMMARY
TABLE
FOR
HOUSEHOLD
MEMBERSHIP
(Right)

In Armed Forces – Were members of this household at time of induction
but currently stationed elsewhere

Seamen – Living quarters held here for person

LISTING
REMINDERS/
Entering "Case
Level Notes"
(Left)

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A. PERSONS STAYING IN SAMPLE UNIT AT TIME OF INTERVIEW

TABLE OF EDUCATION CODES
What is the highest level of school you
completed or the highest degree you received?
Precode

Elementary

1st grade

2nd grade

3rd grade

4th grade

5th grade

6th grade

7th grade

8th grade
High School

9th grade

10th grade

11th grade

12th grade (No diploma)

High school graduate (Diploma or equivalent)
College

Some college (No degree)

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree (e.g. BA, AB, BS)

Master’s degree (e.g. MA, MS, MEng, MSW, MBA)

Professional School degree (e.g. MD, DDS, DVM, LLB, JD)

Doctorate degree (e.g. PhD, EdD)

Never attended, preschool, kindergarten

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CÓDIGOS DE EDUCACÍON
¿Cuál es el nivel más alto escolar que Usted ha
completado o el título escolar más alto que
Usted ha recibido?
Código

Primaria

1 grado

2 grado

3 grado

4 grado

5 grado

6 grado

7 grado

8 grado
Secundaria

EDUCATION
CODE
ENGLISH
(Left)

9 grado

10 grado

11 grado

12 grado (SIN DIPLOMA)

Graduado de escuela secundaria (DIPLOMA o su equivalente)

EDUCATION
CODE
SPANISH
(Right)

Algunos créditos universitarios (SIN DIPLOMA)

Título asociado universitario

Título de bacheller universitario (e.g. BA, AB, BS)

Título de maestría (e.g. MA, MS, Meng, MSW, MBA)

Título profesional (e.g. MD, DDS, DVM, LLB, JD)

Título de doctorado (e.g. PhD, EdD)

Nunca asistió o solo guardería infantil o kindergarten

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Universidad

HISPANIC ORIGIN
Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or
Latino? Include people of the
following origins –
Mexican
Mexican-American
Chicano
Puerto Rican
Cuban
Cuban-American
Central or South American
(Spanish Countries)
Other Spanish origin

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ORIGEN ESPAÑOL
¿Es Usted Español, Hispano, o
Latino? Inncluya a personas de los
siguientes orígenes –
Mexicano(a)
Mexicano(a)-Americano(a)
Chicano(a)
Puerto Riqueño(a)
Cubano(a)
Americano(a)-Cubano(a)
HISPANIC
ORIGIN
ENGLISH
(Left)

Centro-Americano(a) o Sudamericano(a)
(Países de habla hispana)

HISPANIC
ORIGIN
SPANISH
(Right)

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De otro orígen español

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Page 9

RACE
Please choose one or more races
that you consider yourself to be.
Precode

White

Black or African American

American Indian or Alaska Native

Asian (Japanese, Chinese, Filipino,
Korean, Asian Indian, Vietnamese,
or other Asian)

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific
Islander

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RAZA
Favor de escoger una o más
razas a las que Usted considere
que Usted pertenece.
Código

Blanco(a)

Negro(a) o Africano(a) Americano(a)

Indio(a) Americano(a) o Nativo(a)
de Alaska

Asiático(a) (Japonés(a), Chino(a),
Filipino(a), Coreano(a),
Indio(a)Asiatico(a), Vietnamita,
u otros Asiáticos)

Nativos de Hawai u otras Islas del
Pacífico

RACE
ENGLISH
(Left)

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RACE
SPANISH
(Right)

EMPLOYMENT
Which of the following best describes your job?
Medical Profession – As a –
Precode
11
12
13
14

Physician?
Nurse?
Technician?
Other Medical Profession? – Specify

Mental Health Services Field – Are your duties –
15
16
17

Professional (Social worker/psychiatrist)?
Custodial care?
Some other Mental Health Services Profession? – Specify

Teaching Profession – Were you employed in a –
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

Preschool?
Elementary?
Junior high or middle school?
High school?
College or university?
Technical or industrial school?
Special education facility?
Other Teaching Profession? – Specify

Law Enforcement or Security Field – Were you employed as a –
26
27
28
29

Law enforcement officer?
Prison or jail guard?
Security guard?
Other Law Enforcement Profession? – Specify

Retail Sales – Were you employed as a –
30
31
32
33

Convenience or liquor store clerk?
Gas station attendant?
Bartender?
Other Retail Sales Profession? – Specify

Transportation Field – Were you employed as a –
34
35
36

Bus driver?
Taxi cab driver?
Other Transportation Field Profession? – Specify

OR
37

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

Something else? –Specify

Page 12

EMPLEO
¿Cuáles de los siguientes mejor describe su
trabajo?
Profesiones Médicas – ¿Como un(a) –
Código
11
12
13
14

Doctor en Medicina?
Enfermera?
Tecnólogo Médico?
Otro? – Especifique

Servicios de Salud Mental – ¿Son sus obligaciones –
15
16
17

Profesional (trabajador social/psiquiátra)?
Cuidado de Enfermos (Custodial Care)?
Otro? – Especifique

Profesiones de Enseñanza – ¿Estaba Ud. empleado
en un(a) –
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

Institución preescolar?
Escuela primaria?
Escuela intermedia?
Escuela secundaria?
Colegio o universidad?
Escuela técnica o industrial?
Facilidad de educación especial?
Otro? – Especifique

Cumplimiento de la Ley o en Profesiones de Seguridad –
¿Estaba Ud. empleado como un(a) –
26
27
28
29

Oficial de la ley o policía?
Guardia de prisión o cárcel?
Guardia de seguridad?
Otro? – Especifique

Ventas al detal – ¿Estaba Ud. empleado como un(a) –
30
31
32
33

Ayudante en licorería o tienda de comestibles de venta rapida?
Ayudante de estación de gasolina?
Cantinero/Tabernero (Bartender)?
Otro? – Especifique

Profesiones de Transporte – ¿Estaba Ud. empleado
como un –
34
35
36

Chofer de autobús?
Chofer de taxi?
Otro? – Especifique

O
Alguna otra cosa? – Especifique

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

EMPLOYMENT
ENGLISH
(Left)

Page 13

EMPLOYMENT
SPANISH
(Right)

HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Which category represents the
TOTAL HOUSEHOLD income
during the past 12 months?
Precode

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

Income Range

Less than $5,000

$5,000 to $7,499

$7,500 to $9,999

$10,000 to $12,499

$12,500 to $14,999

$15,000 to $17,499

$17,500 to $19,999

$20,000 to $24,999

$25,000 to $29,999

$30,000 to $34,999

$35,000 to $39,999

$40,000 to $49,999

$50,000 to $74,999

$75,000 and over

Page 14

HOUSEHOLD
INCOME
ENGLISH
(Left)

INGRESO DEL HOGAR
¿Qué categoría representa el
ingreso TOTAL de los miembros
del hogar durante los últimos
12 meses?
Código

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

Rango de Ingresos

Menos de $5,000

$5,000 to $7,499

$7,500 to $9,999

$10,000 to $12,499

$12,500 to $14,999

$15,000 to $17,499

$17,500 to $19,999

$20,000 to $24,999

$25,000 to $29,999

$30,000 to $34,999

$35,000 to $39,999

$40,000 to $49,999

$50,000 to $74,999

$75,000 y más

Page 15

HOUSEHOLD
INCOME
SPANISH
(Right)

NCVS DEFINITION OF RAPE

Forced sexual intercourse includes both
psychological coercion as well as
physical force. Forced sexual intercourse
means vaginal, anal, or oral penetration
by the offender(s). This category also
includes incidents where the penetration
is from a foreign object, such as a bottle.

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NCVS DEFINITION OF PRESENCE
DURING AN INCIDENT
NCVS
DEFINITION OF
RAPE
(Left)

"Presence" during an incident means a
sample household member at the time of
the interview:

NCVS
DEFINITION OF
PRESENCE
(Right)

✓ Was at the immediate scene of the crime
during the incident

✓ Was in a place that was reachable by the
offender, so that the offender could have
or did attack, threaten to attack, or stolen
something directly from the household
member.

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AND

TYPE Z NONINTERVIEWS
Situations Causing Type Z Noninterviews
A Type Z noninterview indicates that you completed interviews
with at least the household respondent, but were unable to
complete an interview with one or more eligible members.
(Precode 1) Never Available – The following conditions must be met to
classify an individual respondent as a Type Z noninterview using Precode (1):
1. You made repeated attempts to reach the individual respondent.
2. You are sure the individual respondent is not temporarily
absent.
3. You have a completed interview with the household respondent.
(Precode 2) Refused – Use Precode (2) when an individual respondent
refuses to be interviewed. You should also code an individual respondent as
refused when either:
• Another person refuses to allow an interview with an eligible household
member, such as an elderly parent or 14 year-old child.
• An acceptable proxy respondent refuses to give an interview for an eligible
respondent who is unable to respond for himself/herself due to a physical
and/or mental problem or is temporarily absent from the sample address.
(Precode 3) Physically/Mentally Unable to Answer and No Proxy
Available – The household member must have health and/or mental illness
problems that are continuous throughout the entire interview period and you are
unable to find an eligible proxy respondent for this person.
(Precode 4) Temporarily Absent and No Proxy Available – An
individual respondent is temporarily away from home and not expected to
return before the closeout date and you are unable to find an eligible proxy
respondent for this person.
(Precode 5) Other Type Z Situations – You are not able to interview an
eligible respondent (other than the household respondent) and the situation
does not fit Type Z codes 1 through 4. An example is:
• Insufficient number of Incident Reports are completed, or incomplete
Incident Reports, based on the screen questions.
Refer to Part A, Chapter 3 of the NCVS-550 CAPI Interviewing Manual for
additional information concerning Noninterviews.

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PROXY INTERVIEWS
Proxy Interviews for Household Members
Only THREE conditions allow you to take a proxy interview for a
household member. These conditions are:
1. A parent will not allow you to speak to his/her 12– or 13– year
old child to conduct the interview.
2. An eligible household member is temporarily absent during the
entire interview period.
3. An eligible household member is physically or mentally
incapacitated continuously throughout the ENTIRE interview
period, due to health or mental illness problems.

TYPE Z
NONINTERVIEW
(Left)

PROXY
INTERVIEWS
(Right)

Qualifications of a Proxy Respondent
If you must take a proxy interview for an acceptable reason, the Proxy
Respondent must meet these criteria:
1. A household member who is at least 18 years old,
2. Is very knowledgeable of the proxy person, and
3. Has already completed his/her own NCVS interview by
self-response.

1. The household’s reference person or one of the other persons
who owns or rents the home is under 18 years of age

OR
2. All household members are under 18 years of age.
Refer to Part C, Chapter 1 of the NCVS-550 CAPI Interviewing Manual
for additional proxy information.

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Page 19

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Exceptions to the Age Requirement for a Proxy
Respondent

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
BASIC DEFINITIONS AND CONCEPTS
The purpose of this quick reference guide is to provide you basic definitions and concepts used
in the National Crime Victimization Survey. This guide does not take the place of the Interviewing
Manual, but instead is to be used in conjunction with the manual. The Interviewing Manual
remains the definitive reference source for detailed definitions and explanations.
The guide is in alphabetical order for ease of reference in locating terms. Only short definitions
or explanations of the words or concepts are provided.
Annual household income – The total
income of the household head and all
members of the household for the 12 months
preceding the interview. This includes wages,
salaries, net income from business or farms,
pensions, interest, dividends, rent, Social
Security payments and any other form of
monetary income received by household
members who are 14 years of age or older.
Armed Forces – List current members of
the Armed Forces living in the household.
Consider as "Armed Forces" any members of
the United States Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marine Corps and Coast Guard and the
reserve units of these branches if on active
duty status for several months. Also include
commissioned officers from the U.S. Public
Health Service, cadets at U.S. military
academies, and National Guard in Federal
Service.
Borrowed property – Items that belonged
to a household member that were stolen while
in the possession of a friend, neighbor,
co-worker, and so forth are counted as stolen
property. If the items were borrowed but not
returned, they are not counted as stolen
property.

Housing unit – A single room or a group of
rooms occupied as separate living quarters.
There must be direct access and the
occupants must live separately.
Incident – A specific criminal act involving
one or more victims and offenders.
Individual respondent – An individual
respondent is a household member who is an
eligible NCVS respondent who is not the
Household Respondent, 12 years of age or
older.
Noninterview household – A household
for which information is not obtained because
(a) the unit is occupied but an interview was
not possible, or (b) the unit is occupied by
persons not eligible for interview, or (c) the
unit is not occupied or not eligible for sample.
NPC – National Processing Center, located in
Jeffersonville, Indiana. A data processing
facility that supports a multitude of operations,
such as mail processing, editing and coding,
and statistical and geographic operations.
Origin – Heritage, nationality, lineage, or
country of birth of the person or their
ancestors.

CAPI – (Computer-Assisted Personal
Interviewing) A method of interviewing
whereby field representatives use a laptop
computer to conduct decentralized
interviewing.

Police offender – Type of Law Enforcement
Officers we consider as possible offenders
when offender is a police officer (e.g.,
campus, park, transit, harbor, airport police).

Eligible NCVS respondent – Any
household member 12 years of age or older.

Personal crimes – Involve direct contact
between offenders and eligible household
members during an incident, regardless of
whether the crimes were attempted or
completed. A separate Incident Report is
completed for each eligible household
member who was personally victimized during
the incident.

Household members – Household
members are those persons staying in the
sample unit who have no usual residence
elsewhere.
Household respondent – The household
respondent is the household member that you
select to be the first household member
interviewed. The household respondent
must be able to provide information for all
persons in the sample household, as well as
for herself/himself. In most cases the
household respondent must be 18 years of
age and knowledgeable about the household.
Usually, this is one of the persons who owns
or rents the sample unit.
NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

Page 20

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE – Continued
Segments, GQ – Comprised of one or more
GQs that were identified in the same Census
blocks screened to be in the unit frame.

Presence – Determines whether any sample
household member was at the immediate
scene of the crime during the incident and
was in a place that was reachable by the
offender so that the offender could have
attacked, threatened to attack, or stolen
something directly from a household member.

Segments, permit – Consists of one or
more basic addresses of structures built since
the 2000 Census. These addresses are
obtained from the local jurisdictions that issue
permits for new residential construction.

Property crimes – Do not involve any
personal contact between a household
member and an offender.
Proxy interview – An interview in which
someone other than the intended household
member answers the interview questions for
the eligible household member.

Segments, units – Consists of one or more
basic addresses selected from the most recent
Census files. Unit segments are usually found
in urban areas of the country and contain both
complete and incomplete addresses, but
mostly complete addresses.

Proxy person – The intended household
member who is unable to answer the interview
questions for himself/herself.

Self-employed – Working for profit or fees
at (his/her) OWN business, shop, office, farm,
etc. May be incorporated or unincorporated.

Proxy respondent – The person who is
eligible to answer the interview questions for
the proxy persion.

Summary – An item used to assist in the
classification of crimes. Information to include:
what was taken; whether only nonhousehold
property was stolen; how entry was gained;
how the victim was threatened/attacked; what
weapons were present and how they were
used; any injuries; what the victim was doing
at the time of attack/threat; if the respondent
was present; whether the incident was
reported to the police. If a police officer was
the offender, did the police offender act in the
line of duty or act within his/her authority. Also
record information not already provided.

Race – The race or races that the person
considers himself/herself to be. Respondents
base the concept of "race" on self-identification.

Reference person – A Reference Person is
a responsible adult household member who is
not likely to permanently leave the household.
To meet this goal, the person must qualify as
a household member, be an owner/renter, and
be at least 18 years of age (in most cases).
Only one person is considered the reference
person. The reference person may or may not
be the household respondent.
Segments, area – Usually a small area of
land found in rural parts of the country. It has
defined boundaries, e.g., roads, rivers, or
railroad tracks and must be listed before
interviewing. Living quarters in area segments
do not always have addresses with street
names and house numbers. As a result, field
representatives may need to list the units by
description.

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

While a summary should give a sense of what
actually happened, also use the summary as
a mechanism to provide additional information;
that is, information NOT already collected
during the collection of the incident report.

QUICK
REFERENCE
GUIDE
(Left/Right)

Type A Noninterviews – Households that
are occupied by persons eligible for interview
but information has not been obtained.
Type B Noninterviews – Units which are
either unoccupied or which are occupied
solely by persons not eligible for interview.
Type C Noninterviews – Units that are
ineligible for sample.
Type Z Noninterviews – Eligible
household members, who are NOT the
household respondent, who are not
interviewed.

Page 21

(Cut along broken line)

Recognizable business – To be a
recognizable business, these three conditions
must be met: It must be a commercial
establishment operated by a household
member, a sign must be present that is clearly
visible to the general public from the outside
of the business, and if operated from sample
address the sign announcing the business
must be located on the sample household
property.

GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETING THE SUMMARY SECTION OF THE NCVS CAPI INSTRUMENT
WHERE RESPONDENT WAS DURING INCIDENT:
Things to mention in the summary section:
• A specific description about where respondent was and what they were doing when the
incident occurred.
Examples – Respondent was at home sleeping; respondent was watching TV at home,
respondent was in restaurant; respondent was at work.
WHERE INCIDENT HAPPENED:
Things to mention in the summary section:
• If the incident occurred in or near the respondent’s residence, then the incident should have
an entry in Item LOCATION_IN_HOME or in Item LOCATION_NEAR_HOME. Please specify
in the summary where exactly in or near the respondent’s residence the incident occurred. If
the incident happened on a porch, specify whether the porch was an open porch or whether
it was an enclosed porch.
Example –

Offender stole lawn furniture from respondent’s enclosed front porch.

RESPONDENT MENTIONS A GARAGE:
Things to mention in the summary section:
• Specify whether the garage was attached to the house or detached from the house.
• Specify how the offender entered the garage.
Examples – Offender entered attached garage through an opened door; offender entered
detached garage after breaking glass in a locked window.
CAR STOLEN/BROKEN INTO:
Things to mention in the summary section:
• Specifically describe where the car was parked at the time it was stolen/broken into.
Examples – Car was in parking lot at work/shopping mall; car was in the respondent’s
driveway; car was in the respondent’s attached/detached garage.
RESPONDENT WAS THREATENED:
Things to mention in the summary section:
• Describe specifically the nature of the threat.
Examples – Threatened to hurt the respondent; threatened to rape the respondent;
threatened to kill the respondent; threatened to burn the respondent’s house
down.
WEAPON PRESENT:
Things to mention in the summary section:
• Describe the weapon used or threatened to be used.
• Describe how the weapon was used or threatened to be used.
Examples – Offender threatened to hit the respondent with a wrench; offender pointed a gun
at the respondent.
PURSE OR WALLET STOLEN WHILE OUT SHOPPING OR RUNNING ERRANDS:
Things to mention in the summary section:
• Describe when the respondent noticed the item was stolen.
Examples – Respondent noticed her purse was gone while at the counter paying; several
hours later the respondent discovered his wallet was missing.
PROPERTY BROKEN INTO WAS A VACATION/RENTAL HOME:
Things to mention in the summary section:
• How is property used, that is, exclusively as a rental property or does the respondent stay
there sometimes.
Examples – Respondent’s vacation home where they live 6 months out of the year was
broken into while they were at the sample address; while respondent was
renting their vacation home to renters someone broke into it.

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

Page 22

1. When a Police Officer was the offender (Item
POLICEFINDOUT = 16) you should answer these questions in
the Item SUMMARY.
●

Was the victim/respondent arrested?

●

Did the victim/respondent press charges against the police officer?

●

What did the police officer do?
(a complete description of the police officer’s actions)

●

What did the respondent/victim do?
(a description of the victim’s actions)

●

Was any property confiscated by the police?

●

Was the confiscated property returned, kept as evidence, etc.?

●

Did the police officer use, or attempt to use, a hand gun or a billy club?
(was it drawn or used)

●

Was the police officer on or off duty?

CODING THEFTS/ATTEMPTED THEFTS
2. What to Include/Exclude as THEFT/ATTEMPTTHEFT
a. What to INCLUDE
items belonging to any member of the household, regardless of age, taken in a burglary
or household theft.

●

items belonging to any member of the household 12 years of age or older.

●

items belonging to any member of the household who is under 12 years of age ONLY if the
theft took place at sample address/vacation home and child was not attacked or threatened
with physical harm during the incident.

●

items regardless of value (for example, accept thefts of "worthless" and "priceless"
items).

●

items that are the personal property of an individual household member.

●

items that belong to the entire household.

●

items that belong to an unrecognizable business.

b. What to EXCLUDE
●

items that belong to a recognizable business in the sample unit, even if the business
is owned by a household member.

●

items that belong to some other commercial establishment, even if the business is
owned by a household member.

●

items belonging to the owner of a house, apartment, or room that a household
member was renting at the time of the incident.

●

items belonging to a nonhousehold member.

●

items that the respondent or another household member had borrowed from a
nonhousehold member.

●

items loaned to a friend, neighbor, etc., and not returned. (However, if someone
stole the items from the friend, neighbor, etc., include the items.)

●

items belonging to a household member under age 12, taken in any type of crime other
than a burglary or household theft.

●

items belonging jointly to a legally separated husband and wife who are not yet divorced,
and the offender is one of the spouses.

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

Page 23

COMPLETING
THE SUMMARY
(Left)
CODING
THEFTS/
ATTEMPTED
THEFTS
(Right)

(Cut along broken line)

●

STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS TO USE
Additional, ADDL
Address, ADR
Agendum, AG
Again, AGN
Answering Machine or Morning, AM
Answering Machine Message Left, AMML
Answering Machine No Message Left, AMNML
Answer, ANS
Appointment, APPT
Apartment, APT
Association, ASSN
Assessor, ASSR
Assistant, Assist, ASST
Avenue, AVE
Available, AVL
Building, BLDG
Block, BLK
Boulevard, BLVD
Broken, BRKN
Best Time, BT
Battery, BTRY
Complete Interview, C
CallBack, CB
Could Not, CDNT
CD-ROM Phone Disc, CDNT
Central Daylight Time, CDT
Circle, CIR
Called, CIR
Closed, CLD
Completed Interview, CMPINT
Count, CNT
Contact, CNTC
County, CNTY
Company, CO
Complete, COMP
Continue, CONT
Cooperate, COOP
Contact Person, CP
Court, CRT
Central Standard Time, CST
Directory Assistance, DA
Daughter, DAU
Disconnected, DISC
Drive, DR
Descriptive Address, DSC ADR
Duplicate, DUP
East, E
Eastern Daylight Time, EDT
Exact Match, EM
Eastern Standard Time, EST
Female, F
Fax Machine, FAX
Fast Data, FD
Find/Found, FND
Field Representative, FR
Friday, FRI
NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

Front, FRNT
Foot/Feet (Distance), FT
Followup, FU
Forward, FWD
Guess Call Back, GCB
Group, Group Home, GRP
Hard Call Back, HCB
Hang Up, HGUP
Household, HH
Household Member, HHM
History, HIST
Hawaiian Standard Time, HST
Housing Unit, HU
Highway, HWY
Identification, ID
Immediate, IMMD
Include, INCL
Income, INCM
Internet, INET
Information, INFO
Inside, INSD
Interview/Interviewer, INTV/INTVR
Line Number, LN
Language Problem, LNG PRB
Laptop Computer, LPTP
Large, LRG
Listing Sheet, LS
Left, LT
Letter, LTR
Leave, LV
Male, M
Member (household), MBR
Mountain Daylight Time, MDT
Manager, MGR
Mobile Home Park, MHP
Mile(s), MI
Message Left, ML
Month, MO
Monday, MO
Missed Appointment, MSDAPPT
Message, MSG
Mountain Standard Time, MST
Multiple Units, MU
Move, Moved, MV(D)
North, N
Not Available/Not Applicable, NA
Northeast, NE
Not in Service, NIS
No Message Left, NML
No One Home, NOH
(A, B, or C Noninterview Type), NO INT
Nearby, NRBY
Number, NUM
Northwest, NW

Page 24

STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS TO USE – Cont.
Organization, ORG
Original Sample Person, OSP
Other, OTH
Outside, OTSD
Pacific Daylight Time, PST
Person, PER
Phone, Phone Number, PH
Park, PK
Parkway, PKY
Place, PL
Afternoon/Evening, PM
Property Manager, PMGR
Place of Business, POB
P.O. Box, PO BOX
Place of Employment, POE
Possible, POS
Previous, PREV
Property, PROP
Partial Interview, PRT INT
Provide, PRVD
Pacific Standard Time, PST
Public Library, PUB LIB
Personal Visit, PV
Proxy, PXY
Question, QST
Questionnaire, QSTNR
Road/Rural Delivery, RD
Received, RECD
Refused, REF
Reference Person, REF PER
Request, RQ
Rooming House, RH
Reluctant, RLCT
Roommate, RM
Ring No Answer, RNA
Rural Route, RR
Rural Route Delivery, RRD
Respondent, RSP
Right, RT
Route, RTE
South, S
Sample Address, SA
Saturday, SAT
Soft Call Back, SCB
Screen (computer), SCRN
Said, SD
Southeast, SE
Senior Field Representative, SFR
Signal, SGNL
Sheet#, Line#, S_L_
Small, SM
Sample Person, SP
Spoke With, SPW
Spanish Speaking, SS
Spanish Speaking Household, SSHH
Social Security Number, SSN
Street, ST
Status, STAT
Sunday, SUN

Supervisor, SUP
Southwest, SW
Temporarily Absent, TA
Terrace, TER
Thursday, THUR
Talk(ed), TLK(D)
Tomorrow, TOMO
Turnpike, TPK
Trail, TR
Trailer, TRLR
Trailer Park, TRLR PRK
Transmission/Transmitted, TRNSM
Transfer, TRSFR
Tuesday, TUE
Tax Assessor, TX AS
Unable to Locate, UTL
Vacant, VAC
Visited, VST(D)
West, W
Wednesday, WED
Within, W/IN
Week, WK
Without, W/OUT
Wrong, WRG
World Wide Web/Internet, WWW
Time, Two Times, Three Times, etc., X, 2X, 3X, etc.
Extra, XTR
Yukon Daylight Time, YDT
Year(s), YR(S)
Yukon Standard Time, YST

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

Page 25

(Cut along broken line)

STANDARD
ABBREVIATIONS
(Left/Right)

2008
Holidays
Day to Begin NCVS Interviewing
JANUARY
S M T W T F
1 2 3 4
6 7 8 9 10 11
13 14 15 16 17 18
20 21 22 23 24 25
27 28 29 30 31

S
5
12
19
26

APRIL
T W T
2 3 4
9 10 11
16 17 18
23 24 25
30

F
5
12
19
26

S
6
13
20
27

JULY
S M T W T
1 2 3
6 7 8 9 10
13 14 15 16 17
20 21 22 23 24
27 28 29 30 31

F
4
11
18
25

S
5
12
19
26

OCTOBER
S M T W T F
1 2 3
5 6 7 8 9 10
12 13 14 15 16 17
19 20 21 22 23 24
26 27 28 29 30 31

S
4
11
18
25

S M
1
7 8
14 15
21 22
28 29

FEBRUARY
S M T W T F

1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29

MAY
S M T W T
1
4 5 6 7 8
11 12 13 14 15
18 19 20 21 22
25 26 27 28 29

MARCH
S M T W T
2
9
16
23
30

1
3 4 5 6 7 8
10 11 12 13 14 15
17 18 19 20 21 22
24 25 26 27 28 29
31

JUNE
S M T W T

F
2
9
16
23
30

S
3
10
17
24
31

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30

AUGUST
S M T W T F
1
6
7
8
5
3 4
10 11 12 13 14 15
17 18 19 20 21 22
24 25 26 27 28 29
31

S
2
9
16
23
30

SEPTEMBER
S M T W T F
1 2 3 4 5
7 8 9 10 11 12
14 15 16 17 18 19
21 22 23 24 25 26
28 29 30

S
6
13
20
27

DECEMBER
S M T W T F
1 2 3 4 5
7 8 9 10 11 12
14 15 16 17 18 19
21 22 23 24 25 26
28 29 30 31

S
6
13
20
27

NOVEMBER
S M T W T F
2 3 4 5 6 7
9 10 11 12 13 14
16 17 18 19 20 21
23 24 25 26 27 28
30

S
1
8
15
22
29

Holidays
January 1
January 21
February 18
March 23
May 26
July 4

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King’s Birthday
Presidents’ Day
Easter
Memorial Day
Independence Day

Page 26

September 1
October 13
November 11
November 27
December 25

Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas

2009
Holidays
Day to Begin NCVS Interviewing
JANUARY
S M T W T F
1 2
4 5 6 7 8 9
11 12 13 14 15 16
18 19 20 21 22 23
25 26 27 28 29 30

APRIL
S M T W T
1 2
5 6 7 8 9
12 13 14 15 16
19 20 21 22 23
26 27 28 29 30
JULY
S M T W T
1 2
5 6 7 8 9
12 13 14 15 16
19 20 21 22 23
26 27 28 29 30

S
3
10
17
24
31

F
3
10
17
24

S
4
11
18
25

F
3
10
17
24
31

S
4
11
18
25

OCTOBER
S M T W T F
1 2
5
6
7
8 9
4
11 12 13 14 15 16
18 19 20 21 22 23
25 26 27 28 29 30

S
3
10
17
24
31

FEBRUARY
S M T W T F
1 2 3 4 5 6
8 9 10 11 12 13
15 16 17 18 19 20
22 23 24 25 26 27

MAY
S M T W T
3 4 5 6 7
10 11 12 13 14
17 18 19 20 21
24 25 26 27 28
31

F
1
8
15
22
29

AUGUST
S M T W T F
2
9
16
23
30

3 4 5 6 7
10 11 12 13 14
17 18 19 20 21
24 25 26 27 28
31

NOVEMBER
S M T W T F
1 2 3 4 5 6
8 9 10 11 12 13
15 16 17 18 19 20
22 23 24 25 26 27
29 30

S
7
14
21
28

MARCH
S M T W T
1 2 3 4 5
8 9 10 11 12
15 16 17 18 19
22 23 24 25 26
29 30 31

JUNE
S M T W T

F
6
13
20
27

S
7
14
21
28

S
2
9
16
23
30

7
14
21
28

S
1
8
15
22
29

SEPTEMBER
S M T W T F
1 2 3 4
6 7 8 9 10 11
13 14 15 16 17 18
20 21 22 23 24 25
27 28 29 30

S
7
14
21
28

1 2 3 4 5 6
8 9 10 11 12 13
15 16 17 18 19 20
22 23 24 25 26 27
29 30

DECEMBER
S M T W T F
1 2 3 4
6 7 8 9 10 11
13 14 15 16 17 18
20 21 22 23 24 25
27 28 29 30 31

S
5
12
19
26

Holidays
January 1
January 19
February 16
April 12
May 25
July 3

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King’s Birthday
Presidents’ Day
Easter
Memorial Day
Independence Day

September 7
October 12
November 11
November 26
December 25

Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas

CALENDAR
2008
(Left)

CALENDAR
2009
(Right)

Page 27

broken line)

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPANISH NCVS INTERVIEWS

For Spanish-Speaking Field Representatives
Items on the Spanish Language Instrument correspond to the same items on the
English Language Instrument. When interviewing a respondent in Spanish, you should
make your entries directly in the Spanish version. The Spanish Language Instrument is
accessible by pressing the "Shift" and "F5" Keys, simultaneously. In the pop-up window
select "Spanish" and then click on the "OK" button. To toggle back to the English
Language Instrument, repeat these steps and select "English" in the pop-up window.
If a respondent speaks Spanish and English, conduct the interview in the language
both you and the respondent feel most comfortable using.
Both Spanish and English interviews may be conducted in the same household. For
example, you may complete an interview for a Spanish-speaking household respondent
and complete an English Language Interview for an English-speaking household
member. Note such situations in the "Case Level Notes" to aid in the office check-in
and processing of these cases.
Crime Incident Reports may be more difficult for a Spanish-speaking respondent to
understand in English than the screen questionnaire; therefore, you may use the
Spanish Language Instrument even if you asked the screen questions in English.
Be sure all write-in entries are in English.

For Non-Spanish-Speaking Field Representatives using a
Translator/Interpreter
When you conduct interviews with Spanish-speaking respondents, share the laptop
with the interpreter after toggling to the Spanish Language Instrument for him/her to
read the questions.
Enter the answers into the laptop. The interpreter should never fill out the
questionnaires.

For All Field Representatives
Also available are Spanish translations of the NCVS-572(L) and NCVS-573(L)
introductory letters, the NCVS-593(L) and NCVS-594(L) Thank You letters, and the
11-38A Request for Appointment notices.

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

Page 28

CASE MANAGEMENT FUNCTION KEYS
KEY

FUNCTION

F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6

Help
F7 . . . . . . . . .
Interview
F8 . . . . . . . . .
Next Tab
F9 . . . . . . . . .
Go to (Detail/Case List) F10 . . . . . . .
Reports
Shift + F6 . .
Ctrl + T . . . .
Listing

......
......
......
......
......
......

KEY

FUNCTION
Notes
View
Sort
Exit
Map
Interview Time
Preference

CAPI FUNCTION KEYS
KEY

FUNCTION

KEY

F1 . . . . . .

Question Help

Shift + F1 . . . Show HH

F2 . . . . . .

(Unassigned)

Shift + F2 . . . FAQs

F3 . . . . . .

(Unassigned)

Shift + F3 . . . RI FAQs

F4 . . . . . .

Jump Menu

Shift + F4 . . . (Unassigned)

F5 . . . . . .

Show Status

Shift + F5 . . . Language

F6 . . . . . .

(Unassigned)

Shift + F6 . . . (Unassigned)

F7 . . . . . .

Item Notes/Remarks

Shift + F7 . . . Show Notes/Remarks

F8 . . . . . .

Return

Shift + F8 . . . (Unassigned)

F9 . . . . . .

Skip Forward

Shift + F9 . . . New HHR

F10 . . . . .

Exit

Shift + F10 . . Show Function Keys

F11 . . . . .

Calculator

Shift + F11 . . Show Standard Abbrev.

F12 . . . . .

Copy Down (Repeat)

Shift + F12 . . Show Original Notes (RI)

KEY

FUNCTION

KEY

END . . . . .

Ctrl + F7 . . . Case Level Notes

Ctrl + F . .

Next Question on Path
First Question on Path
Show Question Text
Don’t Know
Search Tag

Ctrl + H .

Info

Ctrl + T . . . . . Interview Time Preference

HOME . . .
Ctrl + F3 .
Ctrl + D . .

FUNCTION

Ctrl + K . . . . Show Function Keys
Ctrl + M . . . . Show DK and Refused
Ctrl + R . . . . Refused
Ctrl + F11 . . . Calendar
Alt + S . . . . . Save

NCVS-554 (2-8-2008)

Page 29

SPANISH
INTERVIEWS
(Left)

FUNCTION
KEYS
(Right)

File Type	application/pdf
File Modified	2008-03-28
File Created	2008-02-19