ISTANBUL

A recent investigative report has claimed that the FBI quietly revised its 2022 violent crime statistics in a move that could have political repercussions on the cusp of the upcoming US elections.

According to the report, published Wednesday by RealClearInvestigations, the FBI allegedly updated its data to show a 4.5% increase in violent crime for 2022, contradicting its initial report of a 2.1% decrease.

The report said that the FBI made these revisions without public announcement or explanation, claiming that the changes were discovered via a reference on the organization's website.

Thousands of additional murders, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults were allegedly included in the revised data than initially reported, it added.

The report suggests that the change could impact Democratic political narratives around crime rates.

When the figures were first released last year it "quickly became, and remains, a Democratic Party talking point to counter Donald Trump’s claims of soaring crime," the report noted.

It cited concerns from researchers about the lack of explanation for these alleged revisions.

RealClearInvestigations said the FBI did not respond to requests for comment on the claims.

Republican candidate and former President Trump's campaign shared the report, saying: "President Trump Is Right ... Again."