Articles tagged with Crime
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.
A new study uses mathematical modeling to predict burglary patterns in urban areas, identifying hotspots and potential preventive measures. By analyzing spatio-temporal patterns of crime, the authors provide a method to track social and economic conditions of neighborhoods over time.
A recent study published in Feminist Criminology found that male and female sex offenders received significantly different sentences for the same crimes. On average, male sentences were between 6% and 31% longer than female sentences. This disparity was attributed to societal norms and gender roles.
A study found that neighborhoods with higher densities of on-premise alcohol outlets, such as bars and restaurants, have higher rates of violent crimes compared to those with lower densities. In contrast, off-premise outlets like liquor stores and convenience stores showed a weaker relationship between outlet density and crime.
A study published in PLOS Medicine analyzed medical records of 325 patients attending a clinic in Darfur, finding consistent evidence of torture, including beatings, gunshot wounds, and sexual assault. The research enhances the credibility of patient claims, but lacks data to corroborate assailant identities or genocidal intent.
A University of Washington study found that sex-offender registries inflate counts by as much as 60%, with only 43% of listed offenders actually living in designated communities. The discrepancy is largely attributed to differences in data collection and reporting procedures among states.
Triclosan effectively preserves gasoline and fire starters in charred remains, enabling crime scene investigators to determine arson intent. This preservation method could help law enforcement officials catch criminals and reveal the true extent of arson problems.
A recent study found that strictly enforcing possession of alcohol under the legal age reduces the likelihood of teenagers engaging in alcohol-related crime as adults. Teens who experienced strict enforcement were arrested less frequently for vandalism and assaults as young adults compared to those with more lenient laws.
A recent study found that news coverage emphasizing the role of alcohol in violent crime and fatal injuries can increase public support for alcohol-control laws. The study revealed that most news reports on these topics fail to mention alcohol, leading to a lack of awareness about its contribution to accidents and violence.
A new report from Michigan State University criminologists found that local police were involved in nearly half of the identified product counterfeiting cases related to Michigan, highlighting their crucial role in combating this growing crime. The study also revealed alarming statistics, including a $3 million fine for an individual c...
A new study suggests that reading news articles linking alcohol to crimes or accidents increases support for enforcing alcohol laws. Participants who read articles mentioning alcohol's role showed higher support for laws regulating serving intoxicated people and sales to underage youth.
A new statistical model developed by Penn State researcher Cedric Neumann allows for the quantification of fingerprint evidence, paving the way for its full inclusion in criminal identification processes. The model enables the evaluation of fingerprint evidence on a continuous scale, rather than relying on subjective expert opinions.
Researchers have developed a statistical model to quantify the weight of fingerprint evidence, paving the way for its full use in courts. The current method relies on subjective certainty, not supported by logic or data.
A 24-month research project aims to develop a national profile of police integrity by analyzing police crime committed by sworn law enforcement officers. The study will determine the nature and extent of police crime in the US and how law enforcement agencies discipline officers who are arrested.
A study by UT Dallas criminologist Dr. J.C. Barnes found that genetic influences play a larger role in life-course persistent offending than environmental factors. For adolescent-limited offenders, environmental factors were more prominent.
Research found a 9% increase in violent crime after unilateral divorce laws were enacted, primarily among young individuals and those experiencing economic hardship