Articles tagged with Crime
New research reveals that mothers of formerly incarcerated children experience significant financial strain, especially for Black mothers whose starting wealth is already lower. This study highlights the urgent need for policy reforms to address the social and economic impacts of incarceration on families.
A study by Seoul National University researchers found that men and women prioritize different aspects of visibility in urban spaces, with men focusing on clear views and women concerned with unexpected threats. The research suggests designing piloti parking spaces with transparent fences and minimizing blind spots can reduce crime anx...
A survey conducted by the Legal and Criminological Clinic of Universitat Jaume I found that 57.5% of Castelló citizens perceive the city as safe, with areas like south and centre having the highest feeling of safety. The most frequently mentioned causes of insecurity were lack of police presence, ineffectiveness of the judicial system,...
A recent study assesses hundreds of US police academies and shows a continued emphasis on traditional, crime-fighting approaches in basic training, neglecting community-oriented policing and guardian roles.
Researchers developed machine learning models to identify high-risk gun dealers selling the largest proportion of guns recovered in crimes within a year. The study's findings suggest that enforcing targeted inspections and citations on these dealers can help reduce the supply of firearms to offenders.
A new framework by former NIJ director Nancy La Vigne aims to improve the effectiveness of social programs through deliberate implementation and adaptation to local contexts. The Titanium Law of Evaluation emphasizes the importance of both implementation fidelity and local context in evaluating criminal justice interventions.
A report by Tel Aviv University highlights the establishment of new museums in Muslim countries, including Indonesia, Dubai, and Albania, which showcase the Holocaust and heroism. These museums provide a counter-narrative to antisemitic propaganda and promote education and awareness about the Holocaust.
Researchers studied participants' perceptions of ten different accents and found a strong link between perceived social status and likelihood of committing crimes. The study suggests that accent stereotypes could have serious implications in the criminal justice system.
A recent study by HSE University found that young adults in Russia consume media content about serial killers due to cognitive and emotional motives. Cognitive motives involve understanding the causes of human behavior, while emotional motives allow viewers to experience intense emotions often lacking in everyday life.
New research from Lancaster University highlights the devastating impact of the UK's unprecedented use of citizenship stripping on British children trapped in dire camps in North-East Syria. The study calls for a children's right approach to repatriation decision-making to ensure safe return and family reunification.
A study from the University of Bath found that people freed from modern slavery often face years of bureaucratic wrangling and legal limbo. Rescued bonded labourers in India were marooned in the legal process for up to 37 years, with many forced back into exploitative work.
A new study by the University of Birmingham found that Covid-19 public health measures led to a significant decrease in stranger sex offenses, particularly those involving night-time economy and outdoor settings. The research also showed a reduction in offences taking place at home and internet-facilitated crimes during lockdowns.
David Weisburd evaluates the impact of the Safer Stronger Together (SST) Initiative, a place-based social intervention aimed at youth and their families in Maryland. The SST Initiative seeks to reduce racial and economic inequalities among young people and their families by re-engineering government agency services.
A WVU research partnership with the DEA aims to improve fast and accurate identification of psychoactive substances like fentanyl. The Expert Algorithm for Substance Identification (EASI) will enable labs using different instruments to share data on chemical profiles, helping to identify drugs like fentanyl.
A nationwide survey of law enforcement agencies found significant variations in co-responder teams' characteristics, operations, and perceived effectiveness. The study aims to inform evidence-based guidelines and protocols for these initiatives.
A collaborative study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that an increase in Airbnbs in London led to higher rates of robbery, burglary, theft, and violence. The study suggests that Airbnbs provide opportunities for crimes, particularly against tourists or vacant properties.
A recent study from University of Cambridge and University of Pennsylvania found a positive association between Airbnb rentals and police-reported robberies and violent crimes in thousands of London neighborhoods between 2015 and 2018. An additional 1,000 robberies per year would correspond to a 10% increase in active Airbnb rentals.
Researchers investigated how young people decide whether to intervene in a potentially dangerous situation, such as sexual harassment. They found that prosocial motivations and emotional reactions, including anger, were strong motivators for intervention, while concerns about safety and moral considerations played a role. The study sug...
Researchers analyzed crime statistics before and after sweep sites to find no change in most crimes, with only minor decreases in auto theft and public disorder. The study suggests that encampments cannot be linked to a rise in crime, challenging the effectiveness of sweeps in improving public safety.
A WSU-led study found that older adults tend to experience more discomfort in high heat, but it doesn't affect their mood as much as younger adults. Emotional responses to heat are highly individualized and moderated by age.
A new study found that completing a six-month substance use disorder treatment program instead of arrest and prosecution reduces the risk of arrest, incarceration, or fatal overdose. Participants who completed the program had a more favorable crime and overdose profile compared to those who did not engage or complete the program.
The study found that adherence to cultural myths about rape was the strongest predictor of assaultive behavior, even controlling for other factors. Men's personalities, such as rigid adherence to traditional gender roles and low empathy, were also linked to an increased risk of committing sexual assault.
A new study from City St George's University of London found that approximately 1 in 20 adults are closely related to someone who has been the victim of a serious assault. These 'indirect victims' face numerous health challenges, including mental health issues such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study sugg...
A study published in PLOS ONE found that trust in police plummeted among Black residents of Chicago after the 2020 shooting of Jacob Blake. Younger residents and those who had previously been arrested or incarcerated experienced the largest declines. The findings suggest that police violence can exacerbate public safety issues.
A study found that direct incentives, such as tax credits and insurance, can increase hiring managers' willingness to hire applicants with prior records. The most effective incentives were a $2,400 tax credit and $25,000 insurance against losses, which worked regardless of conviction type or perceptions about performance.
Experts propose incorporating joint criminal enterprise into the ICC Statute to hold high-ranking military officers and politicians accountable for collective criminal responsibility. The proposed change aims to ensure victims receive restorative justice and deter future mass atrocities.
A recent study by New York University reveals that nearly 90% of NYC transit workers have experienced harassment or assault, with women facing higher rates. The survey found that public-facing transit workers, including bus and subway staff, are disproportionately targeted.
This special issue of Criminology & Public Policy explores pressing topics in policing, including evidence-based practices and research-informed policy. The articles featured in the issue aim to guide police reform efforts and improve public safety.
Researchers found that 49% of respondents experienced a moderate to extreme impact on their mental or emotional wellbeing after encountering negative experiences in virtual environments. The study highlights the need for metaverse companies to instill clear regulatory frameworks for safe virtual spaces.
Research finds that people with criminal justice system contact are less likely to have bank accounts after release, facing significant barriers like identification and proof of residence. The study highlights the importance of access to banking in reintegration and economic stability.
A recent study by Binghamton University Political Science Professor Jeffrey L. Yates found that U.S. presidential elections significantly impact local prosecutor races. The researchers analyzed data from the nation's top 200 districts and discovered that incumbent prosecutors with the same party affiliation as a successful president ha...
A re-analysis of a community policing study found that increased cooperation and trust in the police lead to more crime reporting, which can inflate crime rates. This 'crime reporting sensitivity bias' must be adjusted for when evaluating the effectiveness of community policing programs.
A systematic review of current research on the 'crime-terror' nexus reveals that terrorist groups like the Taliban and FARC generate significant income from the drug trade, fueling conflict and instability in Afghanistan and Colombia. The study highlights the importance of innovative policy responses to reduce the drug-terrorism nexus.
A new University of Houston study reveals that residents in neighborhoods with higher crime rates and lower police presence are more likely to smoke. The research found that these areas amplify feelings of powerlessness, leading to maladaptive coping behaviors like smoking.
A global study found 14.5% of respondents reported being victims of sextortion, while 4.8% admitted to being perpetrators. LGBTQ+ people and men were more likely to report victimisation and perpetration.
A new study reveals that US Islamist extremist groups are characterized by small, close-knit clusters of co-offenders who share similar characteristics. These relationships are shaped by mutual contacts, ideological affiliation, spatial proximity, and shared socio-cultural traits.
A new study from Edith Cowan University reveals that having a justice facility dog at Children's Court significantly reduces stress and anxiety for young victims, witnesses, and caregivers. Dr Suz Rock and Associate Professor Natalie Gately found that interacting with the dog reduced self-reported anxiety and stress levels.
The European Association of Psychology and Law has launched a white paper with 10 key recommendations to enhance the validity, reliability, and child-friendliness of forensic interviews. The guidelines aim to standardize interviewing methods and warn against harmful practices.
A recent study by Drexel University found that New Jersey's cash bail reform law successfully reduced the state's jail population without increasing gun violence. The research team analyzed data from 36 states and controlled for factors such as gun law restrictions, rates of gun ownership, and state senate majority partisanship.
Researchers collected an unprecedented amount of data on SMS phishing attacks, identifying 35,128 unique campaigns and 600 distinct operations. They also found that phishers use mainstream servers, URL-shortening apps, and web infrastructure to support their operations.
A study published in the Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that pharmacological treatment of ADHD reduced violence- and public-order related crimes among patients in the grey zone for treatment. However, it had no effect on other types of crimes. The study used a quasi-experimental design with populat...
High temperatures reduce emotional control and increase aggression in police officers, resulting in more dismissals of hot-day arrests. Judges also make harsher decisions on hotter-than-average days, issuing longer prison sentences and higher fines.
A new study found that communities with higher-than-average illegal market opportunities are more likely to be targeted by organised crime groups. Organised crime offenders tend to move into areas with similar socio-demographic profiles and target urban communities with higher levels of criminal activity.
Researchers found an 84% increase in NYC transit complaints following the COVID-19 pandemic declaration, with no return to pre-pandemic levels despite the Subway Safety Plan. The plan's increased police presence led to stronger enforcement of transit policies, but its effect was unclear and may have had unintended consequences.
A new study found that sibling criminal legal system contact disrupts home life for siblings and families, leading to increased behavioral issues in children, financial and material hardship for parents, and lower levels of social support. The study suggests that mass criminalization imperils families and children.
A study found that progressive prosecutors led to 7% higher relative rates of total and property crime, but not violent crime. The effects varied by time in office, with relatively higher crime rates in the first decade.
A study found that women in London trust the police less than anywhere else in the UK, with a significant trust gap among ethnic minorities. The Met's poor recruitment, vetting, and management practices have been cited as contributing factors to this issue.
A new study by Ohio State University found that Black youth feel less safe when visiting predominantly white areas of their city. The study, which involved 1,405 11- to 17-year-old youths, showed that Black kids who spent more time in white-dominated areas felt less safe and had higher levels of chronic stress, measured by hair cortiso...
The study finds that cybercriminal threats are primarily concentrated in a small number of countries, with China, Russia, Ukraine, the US, Romania, and Nigeria ranking high in various categories. The World Cybercrime Index provides a useful tool for targeting investigative and preventive efforts more efficiently.
The study found that problem property interventions in Boston reduced crime and disorder at target locations and nearby properties for many years. The program incentivized property owners to manage their properties better or sell them to new owners who could maintain them.
A new USF study finds that language barriers limit the effectiveness of cybersecurity resources, with many limited English proficiency users engaging in risky online behaviors. The research highlights the need for providing cybersecurity information and resources in multiple formats to accommodate diverse literacy levels.
A new study found that shortening overnight operations at bars and taverns reduced homicides by 51% within the first month and by 40% annually. Reducing late-night alcohol sales also decreased all violent crimes by 23% annually in a Baltimore neighborhood.
A large all-female study found that women with low resting heart rates were more likely to engage in criminal behavior and experience unintentional injuries. The research suggests a potential link between autonomic nervous system arousal and stimulation-seeking tendencies.
A new study analyzing California gun data found that guns lost or stolen are three times more likely to be used in a crime, while cheap, semiautomatic, and large caliber handguns are also at higher risk. The study suggests securing firearms from theft or loss should be a primary focus for preventing firearm-related crimes.
Researchers developed a new, accessible, and affordable sequence method using qPCR to identify touch DNA. The study found that male DNA was detected on the female's hand in 50% of trials, indicating secondary transfer, while male DNA on the coffee mug was recorded 27% of time indicating tertiary transfer.
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a new technique to extract usable DNA from bones of fire victims, allowing identification through dental records or DNA testing. The method uses two different techniques to extract DNA, one suitable for temperatures below 350 degrees and the other for hotter fires.
A new study examines perceptions of US veterans treatment court team members regarding the program's viability and longevity. The researchers found that team members believe VTCs will continue to exist and expand, but face challenges in securing stable funding sources and maintaining buy-in from key individuals.
A new study by University of Maryland researchers found that background checks can produce inaccurate results due to flawed data and algorithmic errors. The study showed that over half of participants had false-positive errors and nearly 90% had false-negative errors on both regulated and unregulated background checks.
Researchers have identified a network of approximately 20 specialist decomposing microbes that consistently appear on all 36 human cadavers decomposed under various conditions. This discovery has significant implications for the future of forensic science, enabling investigators to more accurately determine a body's time of death.
A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Knoo Lee found that school nurses are well-positioned to identify students at-risk for chronic school absenteeism. Students who have many partial-day absences often proactively seek out school nurses as a source of comfort and support, presenting an opportunity for intervention before...