The dark figure of crime, also known as the hidden figure of crime, refers to the amount of unreported or undiscovered crime in criminology and sociology. It is the gap between reported and unreported crimes, which calls the reliability of official crime statistics into question. The dark figure of crime includes all law violations, including tax evasion, prostitution, illegal drug use, illegal gambling, child abuse, domestic assault, and traffic violations. The multitude of laws proscribing all sorts of behavior means that most Americans have helped produce the dark figure of crime.

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, attempt to provide 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 figure of crime.

The dark figure of crime is problematic for grasping a correct understanding of crime in society because many crimes never even come to the attention of the criminal justice system. Official statistics are often the crimes that are known or reported to police or others. It may seem shocking that people do not report crimes, but it is more common than we think.

In conclusion, the dark figure of crime is the amount of unreported or undiscovered crime, which is not reflected in official statistics. It is a significant issue in criminology and sociology, and it calls into question the reliability of official crime statistics.