In criminology and sociology, the dark figure of crime, hidden figure of crime, or latent criminality is the amount of unreported or undiscovered crime.

Methodology

This gap between reported and unreported crimes calls the reliability of official crime statistics into question, but all measures of crime have a dark figure to some degree. Comparisons between official statistics, such as the Uniform Crime Reports and the National Incident-Based Reporting System, and victim studies, such as the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), attempt to provide an insight into the amount of unreported crime. Self-report studies are also used in comparison with official statistics and organized datasets to assess the dark of crime.

By type

The gap in official statistics is largest for less serious crimes. Estimates of sexual violence from victim surveys differ from sexual violence crime statistics reported by law enforcement.