In this conversation, Dr. Susan Parker discusses her work at the intersection of health and crime, focusing on NIBRS (the National Incident-Based Reporting System) and its implications for understanding crime data. She explains the complexities of crime reporting, the innovative uses of NIBRS data in research, and the challenges agencies face in implementing this new system. The discussion also touches on the future of NIBRS, the importance of non-fatal shooting data, and how to effectively communicate crime trends to the public.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How does quantitative social science intersect with both health and crime?
- What is NIBRS, how does it differ from previous crime reporting systems, and why was it adopted nationwide?
- How does the crime reporting process work, and how has NIBRS data been used to uncover trends like gun thefts and non-fatal shootings?
- What challenges do agencies face when implementing NIBRS, and how do resource constraints and training needs affect reporting?
- How can NIBRS data reveal changes in crime trends after policy shifts, and why is timely reporting essential for accuracy?
- How can crime data be effectively communicated to the public, and why is accessibility and engagement so important?
Guest Bio:
Dr. Susan Parker is a Research Assistant Professor in the Buehler Center for Health Policy & Economics in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Northwestern University. Her research applies quantitative methods to crime and health research questions and data.
Website:
- Learn more about Dr. Susan Parker on her website: Susan T. Parker.
Resources:
Azrael, D., & Parker, S. T. (2025). Trends in gun theft. Council on Criminal Justice. https://counciloncj.org/trends-in-gun-theft/
National Bureau of Economic Research. (2025, October 10). The economics of firearm markets, crime, and gun violence, fall 2025. National Bureau of Economic Research. https://www.nber.org/conferences/economics-firearm-markets-crime-and-gun-violence-fall-2025
Parker, S. T. (2022, May 2). Measuring gun violence in police data sources: Transitioning to NIBRS. Injury Epidemiology, 9, Article 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-022-00376-8
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