The purpose of this document is to perform a comprehensive examination of the controversies and contradictions surrounding the issue of crime and the elderly, based on analysis of National Crime Survey data for 1973-1980. Chapter 1 introduces the study of crime and the elderly, describing the controversy that exists regarding the elderly and their liklihood of being victimized by crime in the United States. The second chapter describes such criminal victimization of the elderly, including issues surrounding its study, the types of crimes committed, patterns of victimization, ages involved, sex and race of victims, and circumstances surrounding the crimes. Chapter 3 describes the economic, physical, psychological, and social consequences of crimes against the elderly. Chapter 4 addresses the fear of crime maintained by the elderly. Programs to assist the elderly in reducing unreasonable fear of crime, preventing crime, and coping with crime are the subjects of Chapter 5. Chapter 6 addresses elderly criminals, considering who they are, what crimes they commit, why they commit them, and how they fare in prison. The last two chapters provide research, policy, and program recommendations. An appendix includes 16 figures and 25 data tables. (CML)