What is the funnel model of criminal system?

The funnel model of the criminal justice system illustrates how cases are processed through various stages, starting from the initial crime to final outcomes. It depicts a wide entry point, representing all reported crimes, which narrows as cases move through the system—filtering out incidents that do not lead to arrest, prosecution, or conviction. This model highlights the significant number of cases that are dropped or result in lesser charges, ultimately leading to a small percentage of cases that reach the trial stage and result in convictions. Overall, it emphasizes the disparity between the number of crimes committed and the number of offenders actually punished.