What does the hierarchy rule dictate regarding counting crimes that occur during a single incident?

The hierarchy rule is a principle used in crime reporting and data collection that dictates how to classify and count multiple offenses that occur during a single incident. According to this rule, when multiple crimes take place within a single criminal event, only the most serious offense is reported for statistical purposes. This means that if a situation involves an assortment of crimes, the one deemed the most severe takes precedence in counting, while the less serious offenses are not included in the report.

This approach helps streamline data collection and ensures that crime statistics reflect the most significant threats to public safety rather than inflating numbers with less serious offenses. It prioritizes clarity and relevance in crime reporting, allowing for a more accurate depiction of crime trends.