Articles tagged with Crime
Researchers developed a novel approach to trace ammunition used in crimes, detecting a wider range of particles than existing methods. This new technique could rapidly identify the type of ammunition used, allowing crime scene investigators to reconstruct crime scenes more accurately.
A researcher found that Kyrgyzstan's lack of economic activity outside the drug trade has led to a blurring of lines between government and crime. The country's politicians and police are often complicit in the smuggling industry, with some even using their positions for personal gain.
A Michigan State University study refutes critics' claims that solitary confinement leads to increased recidivism rates. In reality, young drug offenders with prior convictions and disciplinary charges are more likely to re-offend.
The University of Chicago Crime Lab has received a $1 million MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions to study interventions preventing violence. Researchers have found targeted tutoring programs improve school outcomes and reduce violence among high school students.
Research found that inmates who express guilt about specific behaviors are less likely to re-offend, while those feeling shame are more likely to commit crimes again. The study suggests that understanding the role of guilt and shame can inform restorative justice interventions and improve outcomes for incarcerated individuals.
A new study found that counties where Wal-Mart built stores experienced a less significant drop in crime rates compared to other counties. The study, which analyzed data from over 3,000 US counties, suggests that the retailer's presence may even contribute to higher crime rates in areas with existing social issues.
A survey of 118 campus law enforcement officers found that 72% had responded to at least one sexual assault case, with 77% receiving specialized training. However, only 64% understood federal requirements under the Clery Act, highlighting a need for improved training and awareness.
Researchers found that a short visit to a high-crime neighborhood can significantly impact visitors' trust in others and feelings of paranoia. The study suggests people respond to their environment in real-time, using cues like broken windows and graffiti to update their attitudes.
A new study finds that nearly half of black males and almost 40 percent of white males are arrested by age 23, affecting their ability to find work, attend school, and fully participate in their communities. The study also reveals little race variation in arrest rates among females.
A University of Washington study found that the positive influence of Communities That Care on US teens' behavior was sustained through high school. By the end of 12th grade, 32% of teens in Communities That Care towns had never tried alcohol compared to 23% in control communities.
A recent study published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology found that 1 percent of the Swedish population is responsible for 63 percent of violent crime convictions. The study analyzed data from 2.5 million individuals and found that those with psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are more li...
A new multilevel study examines the relationship between minimum wage increases and crime rates, concluding that higher wages do not lower violent or property crime. The researchers analyzed data from 18 states that raised their minimum wage above federal standards and found no significant change in crime rates.
A new study found that violent crime in schools adversely affects reading and math scores on standardized tests, but has no influence on GPAs. Students' perceptions of safety also remain relatively unchanged despite fluctuations in violent crime rates.
A new study reveals a 160% increase in street robberies in London at night compared to daytime. Researchers found that darkness significantly associated with an increase in street robberies, particularly in areas with limited street lighting.
A study examines how mainstream news coverage of transgender-related news and policy issues reflects entrenched views about gender, particularly the notion that women are weak and vulnerable. The authors found that perceived threats to women's spaces spur panic, but that clear policies can calm down such reactions.
A computer model developed by a University of California, Riverside sociologist and Indio police has predicted burglaries by census block group, leading to an 8% decline in thefts. The model uses crime data and truancy records to anticipate hot spots of crime, enabling targeted prevention activities.
Most Texas college campuses offer health services and safety infrastructure, but fall short on counseling services and victim advocacy.
A study by St. Michael's Hospital researchers found that cheque-cashing outlets cluster in neighbourhoods with high violent crime rates. These establishments disproportionately serve single parent mothers, the elderly and young males, who are also more likely to be victims of violent crime.
Researchers develop Lévy flight-based model to analyze criminal movement, revealing optimal strategy for maximizing crime hotspots. The model provides insights into the relationship between step sizes and hotspot formation, shedding light on the complex dynamics of burglary hotspots.
A study by Ashlee Humphreys and Kathryn A. LaTour found that changing industry labels from gambling to gaming affects consumer perceptions, making them more inclined to participate in online betting. The researchers analyzed language usage in newspapers and conducted experiments to explore the impact of framing on consumer judgments.
The paper highlights the deportation of 1.5 generation immigrants who have lived in the US for decades, with many being targeted due to their location and ethnicity. The study emphasizes the need for judicial discretion in immigration cases, rather than relying solely on prior convictions.
A new online tool helps quantify subjective opinions on city environments, linking safety perceptions to violent crime rates. The study found correlations between perceived class and safety scores in US cities compared to Austrian counterparts.
The new NIST handbook provides a comprehensive guide for planning, designing, constructing, and relocating forensic science laboratories. The document outlines the four-phase cycle for creating new laboratory space and includes tools to support each phase.
A survey of 652 individuals in Texas found that 74% were familiar with the state's sex offender registry, but only 43% had accessed it. Only 17% took protective measures after using the registry, mostly due to concerns for their safety or children's safety.
Research from the University of Missouri found that lower-income residents are more likely to care about their communities and take pride in their neighborhoods. Community workers and organizers should encourage these residents to volunteer and develop a sense of community pride.
A study by Northwestern University researcher Robert Hanlon found that impulsive murderers are more mentally impaired than strategic planners. Nearly all impulsive murderers had a history of alcohol or drug abuse and were intoxicated at the time of the crime.
A study by University of Central Florida associate professor Kareem Jordan found that Blacks are more likely than whites to believe race played a role in the shooting of Trayvon Martin. Hispanics are less likely to follow the case closely, while more educated respondents perceived race as a factor.
A Baylor University study found that 'spiritual' young people are more likely to commit property crimes, while those who identify as religious show lower levels of crime. The researchers analyzed data from over 14,000 individuals and found a link between spiritual but not religious status and increased property crime rates.
A recent study by Penn State criminologists reveals that young people are disproportionately targeted in sexual assaults. The researchers found that females aged 15 are nine times more likely to be raped than 35-year-old females, and males aged 15 are also at high risk.
New research by psychologists at the universities of Kent, Magdeburg and Cambridge has shown that some people can intentionally suppress unwanted memories and control their brain activity, thereby abolishing brain activity related to remembering. This finding has major implications for brain activity guilt detection tests.
A study by Michigan State University criminologist Thomas Holt reveals a sophisticated online marketplace for stolen credit data, where reputations drive sales and feedback helps weed out untrustworthy sellers. The network, similar to eBay or Amazon, uses web forums and electronic payments to facilitate transactions.
A new study found that criminal background checks and pre-admission screening questions are ineffective in predicting students who will commit crimes on college campuses. Only a small fraction of students with prior criminal records were identified as likely to engage in misconduct during college.
A study published in the Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice found that a common methodological practice, called capping, undercounts violent crime by 87% and household crime by 36%. The researchers suggest updating this technique to yield more accurate crime reporting.
A recent study published in Justice Quarterly found that most online activities of gang members are typical of their age group, with a rate of committing crimes or deviant acts online 70% greater than those not in gangs. Gang members use social networking sites and watch YouTube videos as status symbols.
A Temple University study found that well-maintained urban vegetation can lower crime rates, particularly for robberies and assaults, by encouraging social interaction and community supervision. The presence of grass, trees, and shrubs is associated with reduced crime rates in Philadelphia.
A new RAND Corporation study found that city blocks with both residential and commercial zoning purposes experienced less crime than those zoned primarily for commercial purposes. Researchers also discovered that crime rates dropped by an average of 7% when neighborhoods underwent changes in zoning, mostly towards residential uses.
A study by Sam Houston State University found that most Texas public school districts have adopted dating violence policies, but few offer safety provisions for victims. The report suggests that districts develop clearer consequences and programs to raise awareness about teen dating violence.
A recent study at Washington State University found that viewers of primetime crime dramas are more inclined to intervene on behalf of sexual assault victims. The research suggests that prime-time television can be an effective medium for educating the public about sexual assault and encouraging bystander intervention.
Researchers used X-rays to recreate a microscopic crime scene and caught the arrhythmia culprit in action. Gene mutations destabilize the calcium pathway, causing premature release and potentially deadly conditions.
Almost 230,000 people in the UK have been conned by online romance fraudsters since 2007, research suggests that dating companies need to issue clear warnings on their sites to prevent users from falling victim. The study recommends targeting advice at vulnerable individuals with high romantic ideals or previous mental health problems
A new study reveals that cyberstalking victims experience increased self-protective behaviors, including changing jobs or email addresses, and face higher financial costs compared to traditional stalking victims. The study also finds that cyberstalking victims exhibit greater fear over time, suggesting a more severe condition.
Researchers at Rutgers Center on Public Security are using a $500,000 grant from the National Institute of Justice to conduct risk terrain modeling research. The approach, called RTM, predicts crime hotspots by analyzing historical data and environmental factors.
A study by Kevin D. Bradford and his team examined 28 thousand pages of court documents to understand how guns move from legal channels into the hands of criminals. They found that one percent of gun dealers are responsible for 45 to 60 percent of guns involved in crimes, highlighting the need for more vigilance over gun distribution.
A recent study from Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy has found that Mexico's violent drug cartels have failed due to prohibition, and that shifting the government's approach from a war mindset to crime fighting is crucial. The report recommends strengthening civil service, law enforcement, and judicial systems to pre...
Lying can be trained to be more automatic, reducing task demands and making it harder to detect. Researchers found that instruction alone significantly reduced reaction times associated with deceptive responses.
The latest volume of Crime and Justice series explores how prosecutors exercise discretion, with a focus on equality, justice, and rationality. It presents case studies from the US and abroad to identify best practices in prosecutor behavior.
A recent study of over 25,000 individuals with ADHD found that criminal behavior dropped sharply during periods of medication use. The study showed a significant 32% risk reduction for medicated individuals compared to those not taking medication.
A study by the Crime Victims' Institute at Sam Houston State University found that childhood bullying can lead to long-term health consequences, including general and mental health issues, behavioral problems, eating disorders, smoking, alcohol use, and homelessness. The study recommends investing in victim services and effective preve...
A new guidebook provides a performance-based approach to police staffing and allocation, taking into account multiple factors such as crime rate, shift length, and community policing. The approach offers a more efficient way for agencies to determine the number of officers needed and deploy them effectively.
A new research project will investigate the experiences of victims from various groups, including the homeless, refugees, and those with mental health problems. The two-year study aims to shed light on their needs and provide insights for policy and practice.
The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate has identified key technologies needed to enhance first responder capabilities. These include augmented reality eyeglasses, telemedicine, and assistive technologies that can aid in crime-fighting and medical procedures.
A free high-tech tool called SMART has been launched to combat wildlife poaching. The Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool uses GPS data to identify poaching hotspots and enable rapid responses, ultimately maximizing the impact of anti-poaching efforts.
The new version of OpenGeoDa provides enhanced capabilities for exploratory spatial data analysis and spatial modeling, including space-time analysis and real-time links between maps and graphs. Researchers can track changes in spatial patterns over time and assess the effect of policy interventions.
Researchers found a strong negative effect of neighbourhood income deprivation on altruistic behaviour, with wealthier areas returning 87% of letters compared to poorer areas at 37%. This suggests that those living in poor neighbourhoods are less inclined to behave altruistically toward their neighbours.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that greening vacant lots reduces violent crime and makes residents feel safer. Residents living near greened vacant lots reported feeling significantly safer than those near non-greened sites.
Sixty percent of gun offenders were not legally prohibited from possessing firearms when they committed the crime. The study suggests that stricter restrictions on firearm possession in low-standard states could have prevented many gun crimes.
A study by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid found no causal link between immigration and crime rates in Spain. The researchers analyzed data on crimes committed per inhabitant and immigrant population characteristics to conclude that language and education are key factors influencing crime.
Research in Spain finds low correlation between immigrant population and crime, with education and language playing key roles. Young men from immigrant populations are more likely to commit crimes.
A new study uses Lotka–Volterra equations to map street gangs' territories, finding that most crimes occur near the borders between rival gangs. The research provides insights into how law enforcement can allocate resources more effectively.
A new study found no correlation between medical marijuana dispensaries and higher crime rates in Sacramento neighborhoods, challenging growing concerns about the impact of dispensaries on crime. The study looked at violent and property crime rates in 95 areas with varying density of medical marijuana outlets.