Purposes of the current study are to observe qualitative and quantitative changes of different crime types and to explain crime trend by official social indicators in Taiwan area from 1974 to 2003. Findings of this study are as follows: Along with the development in our society, both qualities and quantities of crime are increasing, especially larceny. Drug and offenses against public safety are proliferating. The proportions of property crimes and non-victim crimes are also gradually rising during this period. On the contrary, most violent crimes are declining except forceful taking. However, police statistics are influenced by the change of statistical methods, definition of law, government activities, and policing policies. Moreover, the structure of crime is varying over years. Several crime types, including drug crime, fraud, intimidation, forceful taking, and automobile theft are increasing obviously. Crimes committed by children or adolescent drop dramatically. According to social indicators in Taiwan area, unemployment rate, divorce rate, labor force participation rate for women, urbanized population rate, GNP, and vehicles-owning rate rose apparently. On the other hand, the average number of persons per household and economic growth rate are declining. For indicators of deterrence, the proportion of criminals convicted is stable. The offenses cleared rate is falling while the consumption expenditure in justice and police is rising. Moreover, findings partially support hypotheses of social disorganization theory, economic stress, crime opportunities, and deterrence. For instance, social disorganization factors, such as divorce rate, urbanized population rate, and labor force participation rate for women, have significantly positive effects on murder, forcible rape, robbery, intimidation, automobile theft, and motorcycle theft. Murder, forcible rape, forceful taking, intimidation, and automobile theft are also influenced by criminals convicted or offenses cleared rate. According to findings of this study, several policy and research implications are also discussed.
