In addition to the operations of UNCJIN, an entire range of tasks has been undertaken to serve that purpose, and in this Letter you will find more detailed reports on two of those tasks.
The first is a report by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) concerning the perceptions of victims of crime. As the report demonstrates, the relatively new and important role of victimization surveys illuminates many previously unrealized facets and effects of criminal activity. The results of these surveys are a great help to Governments, in their planning, and to criminal justice professionals. The second is a progress report by the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch on the Fourth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (1986-1990). Currently under way, this survey continues the work of the Branch in reporting to the professional community concerning the criminal justice activities of Member States. As the report notes, on completion of the Fourth Survey a database constructed from 21 years of government reporting will be available, a very valuable source of information.
Finally, we should like to emphasize that the service provided by this Letter can only fulfil its useful role if we work together. Please send us your suggestions about how best we can share information and ensure a timely and appropriate response to data needs.