Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

What type of crime is described as being reported by a victim and not necessarily involving a known assailant?

1. Personal injury

2. Robbery

3. Assault

4. Victim reported crime

The correct answer is: Victim reported crime

The correct answer highlights that a victim-reported crime refers specifically to offenses where the victim is the one who comes forward to law enforcement, often without having a clear idea of who the assailant may be. This encompasses a range of situations, including those where the crime has occurred but the perpetrator is unknown. Understanding this concept is vital in law enforcement, as it signifies that the case may require different investigative approaches compared to crimes where the suspect is known or identifiable. Such crimes can range from theft to assaults that happen without witnesses, making them crucial for crime statistics and community safety assessments. Other types of crime mentioned, like personal injury, robbery, or assault, typically imply more definitive circumstances surrounding the crime involving the victim and known elements about the perpetrator or the nature of the crime itself. However, a victim-reported crime places emphasis on the act being reported by the victim regardless of identification of the assailant, making it a broader and more encompassing category.