Costs of Crime Estimation Techniques

In this chapter, I will review estimation techniques that have been used for assessing costs of crime. I begin with the discussion of two general points. Firstly, whether total or incremental costs of crime are relevant. Secondly, which perspective – ex ante or ex post – should be adopted when looking at costs of crime. Then I provide a review of costs of crime studies and discuss methodologies they use. At the end, I recommend a particular methodology for assessing costs of crime.