Articles tagged with Crime
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...
Researchers found that traumatic memories immediately following a distressing event are more memorable than the moments leading up to it. This discovery has implications for eyewitness testimonies, therapies for PTSD, and understanding memory decline in brain disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers built a new AI that challenges traditional fingerprint comparison methods, revealing similarities between fingerprints from different fingers of the same person. The system achieved high accuracy in detecting intra-person fingerprint matches, potentially increasing forensic efficiency by tenfold.
Researchers examine how police communicate with communities, highlighting challenges of accommodation and its impact on trust. Effective communication is crucial to improving police-community relations, but police leaders often face difficult decisions that can alienate one group while appeasing another.
A world-first report found that alternative reporting options could help increase the number of women who report sexual assaults to police. Trauma-informed interviews designed in line with best-practice techniques can improve outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual assault who use them.
A new NIH grant will investigate how news media reports on community firearm violence affect survivors, communities, and policymakers. The research aims to develop evidence-based guidelines for safer reporting, inspired by successful approaches for other traumatic events.
Forensic scientists have discovered that the protrusions from bloodstains, known as 'tails', contain valuable information about a blood drop's origin. By analyzing these tails, analysts can reconstruct the impact angle and speed of the drop, helping to determine whether a victim was standing or sitting at the time of injury.
A new study analyzing cyberstalking research identified sociodemographic and background factors as the largest contributors to perpetration and victimization. The findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies considering overlap between offline violence and cyberviolence. Experts emphasize the importance of allocating ...
Research by the University of Exeter reveals that those with authoritarian political views are more concerned about terrorism and border control than new health pandemics. This study suggests COVID-19 does not disproportionately affect authoritarian concern for social divisions in British society.
The study analyzed over 1.2 million criminal incidents, revealing that specialists tend to operate within a confined geographic area and collaborate with local networks. The method can help law enforcement agencies anticipate criminal developments and tailor measures for prevention, policing, and rehabilitation.
A study by Brown University researchers found that government-sanctioned overdose prevention centers in New York City were not associated with a significant increase in crime. The analysis of five administrative datasets showed no changes in violent crimes, property crimes, or calls for emergency services in the surrounding neighborhoods.
A systematic review found that schools with law enforcement officers had higher rates of suspensions or expulsions without improvements in school crime or violence. Students felt safer but this finding was based on limited data.
A study led by Northwestern University found that a Chicago-based community violence intervention program reduced gun violence involvement by over 73% among participants. The program's alumni showed the best outcomes, with a significant decrease in assaults, robberies, and other gun-related violence.
Using anonymized smartphone data, researchers found that police spend more time patrolling non-white neighborhoods, with disparities linked to socioeconomic and crime-driven demand for policing. The study reveals a strong correlation between racial composition of a neighborhood and police presence.
Researchers developed a method using microRNA and messenger RNA to identify five common human body fluids at crime scenes. The combined mRNA and miRNA system showed significant advantages over previous methods, providing a scientific reference for RNA-based body fluid identifications.
A new study has found that forensic fibers can survive underwater for several weeks, contradicting previous beliefs. This discovery could significantly aid in investigations, as police may now be able to search for fibre evidence even after extended exposure times.
Research by Dr Clive Boddy of Anglia Ruskin University reveals warning signs for corporate psychopaths in finance and politics. These include superficial charm, lack of remorse, and ruthless self-serving behavior.
The illegal wildlife trade is a significant financial portfolio that creates state-level security and development risks. Implementing AML laws and sharing intelligence with banks can boost IWT law enforcement. Countries like Singapore, UK, and Australia are making progress in combating money laundering and IWT.
The team plans to sequence the mitochondrial genomes of 10,000 Pennsylvanians, more than tripling the existing database and providing a crucial reference point for human identification cases. The new database will help forensic experts match DNA profiles to found evidence, improving the likelihood of successful identifications.
A new study found that entrepreneurs in Mexico are forced to restrict business growth, relocate, or shut down due to crime. The researchers suggest changing business routines and using electronic transactions could help.
A new study found that kindergarten conduct problems are associated with increased costs in crime, medical expenses and lost productivity as children reach adolescence and adulthood. The research used data from over 1,300 students to estimate the economic impact of these behavioral problems.
The new tool, SnorCall, analyzes unsolicited calls to shed light on robocall trends and types of scams. It extracted information from over 232,000 robocalls, including phone numbers used in scams, helping regulators and law enforcement take action.
Forensic scientists at West Virginia University have developed a systematic approach to compare pieces of trace evidence, including duct tape, using a novel method. The technique evaluates fracture edges and demonstrates physical fit, providing a foundation for evaluating error rates and improving accuracy in crime scene investigations.
A recent study involving over 500 participants found that humans can only detect speech deepfakes 73% of the time. While training participants showed minimal effects, automated detectors performed better and were comparable to human detection abilities.
A systematic review from George Washington University links lead exposure during childhood to increased risk of criminal behavior in adulthood. The study's findings highlight the need for policies to prevent future health and social problems from lead exposure.
A new study using mass spectrometry analyzed hand scent compounds from 60 individuals and achieved a 96.67% accuracy rate in predicting sex. The analysis can be used to uncover details about a potential perpetrator, such as age and racial or ethnic group, when other evidence is lacking.
Bitemark analysis, commonly used in court trials, lacks scientific backing due to the uniqueness of human teeth on skin. A study of 26 people wrongfully convicted based on this evidence reveals a high rate of distortion, rendering it unreliable for identification purposes.
A new study finds that de facto decriminalization of drug possession in Baltimore led to significant reductions in low-level drug-related arrests, mainly among the Black community. However, racial disparities persisted, with the ratio of street arrests in Black residents increasing after the policy change.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers finds that crime risk assessment tools, such as machine learning models, are prone to cohort bias when ignoring social change dynamics. This bias can generate inequality in the criminal justice system, distinct from racial bias.
A joint investigation reveals that NHS trusts are failing to protect staff and patients from sexual assault, with over 35,000 cases recorded between 2017-2022. The findings show that most incidents involve patients abusing staff or other patients, highlighting a disturbing trend in the healthcare system.
A recent study by Bocconi University found that corruption can have a long-lasting effect on trust in democratic institutions. First-time voters who experienced the Mani Pulite investigation in 1994 were more likely to vote for populist parties and express lower institutional trust even 20 years later. The study highlights the need to ...
A US study found that 56% of Black and Hispanic Chicagoans witnessed a shooting by age 40, while White residents were exposed to gun violence at less than half the rate. The average age for witnessing a shooting was just 14 years old, with nearly 7% of Black and Hispanic participants being shot before 40.
A study by Bocconi University researchers found that terrorist attacks and perceived threats from ethnic minorities shifted German Twitter users' language towards the far-right AfD party. Voters rewarded the party at the 2017 election, with no traditional explanatory variable playing a role in the effect.
A new study by UMD criminologist Gary LaFree and former graduate student Bo Jiang found a link between rising sea surface temps and piracy. Rising temps caused an increase in piracy attacks in East Africa, while decreasing temps led to decreases in piracy attacks in the South China Sea due to changes in fish production.
A new study from the University of Chicago shows a direct link between social determinants of health and suicide risk, with counties experiencing high levels of social vulnerability having nearly double the suicide rate as those with lower levels. The study proposes several public health policies to address these disparities.
A new study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee found that diversifying US police departments has no significant impact on clearing aggravated assaults against minorities. The study analyzed data from over 350 agencies and nearly 44,000 incidents, but found no association between diversity measures and clearance rates.
A new study found that US public support for redeemability of Black offenders is high, with 70-80% agreement on offender reform being possible and valued. Racial sympathy and White nationalism significantly influence beliefs in redemption and condemnation of Black offenders.
A North Carolina State University-led study found that household dust can contain DNA from residents and non-occupants over 90% of the time. This could aid investigators in finding clues in difficult cases, particularly in establishing ancestry and physical characteristics.
A new study by University of Houston psychologist Adam Fetterman found that neighborhood apps are associated with inaccurate perceptions of higher local crime rates. The frequent use of such services by a large portion of the population suggests important implications for perceptions and behaviors related to people's neighborhoods.
A new study found that repeated requests for personal data increase disclosure, despite unchanged concerns about privacy. Researchers suggest practical measures to reduce this effect and encourage mutually beneficial sharing.
A recent NC State University study examines the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and law enforcement. The study reveals that law enforcement agencies must be involved in developing public policies regarding AI technologies, such as autonomous vehicles. Key findings also suggest that many officers lack understanding of ...
Researchers found that federal-local immigration enforcement policies significantly increase violent victimization risk among Latinos, contradicting their purpose of enhancing public safety. The study analyzed NCVS data from 2005-2014 and confirmed individual-level factors as major sources of variation in violent victimizations.
Researchers found that Minneapolis youth who participated in restorative justice diversion were less likely to experience re-arrest than those processed through the traditional juvenile justice system. The study demonstrates the positive impact of this approach and highlights its potential to reduce racial disparities.
A new analysis shows that places of worship in Washington, D.C. are associated with higher rates of violent and property crime. The study controlled for sociodemographic factors and other crime-risk indicators, suggesting that high foot traffic at these sites may inadvertently fuel crime.
A recent study found that diversity trainings for police officers are ineffective in changing behavior, as intentions to use strategies decrease over time. The researchers recommend embedding lessons with other organizational initiatives and providing 'super-tailored strategies' to address specific daily work activities.
FSU's College of Criminology and Criminal Justice ranks No. 1 for research productivity, while its Center produces policy-relevant research contributing to evidence-based policymaking. The institution values both academic excellence and practical impact on crime reduction.