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Two out of three corporate frauds go undetected, research finds

A study by researchers at the University of Toronto found that under typical surveillance, about 3% of US companies exhibit financial misrepresentation. However, during a period of heightened scrutiny following the Enron scandal, this rate tripled to 9%, indicating that at least 10% of companies may be involved in fraud.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalReview of Accounting Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 17, 2023

Study finds support for second look sentencing

A new study found widespread support for second look sentencing, with respondents backing the approach regardless of age. Factors such as petitioners' intent to reform and victim support increased support for release. The study suggests that releasing reformed individuals can reduce costs and enhance public safety.

SourceAmerican Society of Criminology·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateFeb 8, 2023

Β-blocker use associated with lower rates of violence

A study of 1.4 million individuals found β-blocker use associated with a 13% lower risk of violent crime and an 8% lower risk of hospitalization due to psychiatric disorders. The findings suggest that β-blockers may be considered as a way to manage aggression and hostility in individuals with psychiatric conditions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 31, 2023

“Ineffective” organization of police digital forensics slowing down investigations

A new study by University of Exeter researchers found that inefficient risk assessment and digital forensic analysis processes are causing police tensions and slowing down investigations. The study highlights the need for updated understanding of risk and prioritization to address growing demand for digital forensics.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPolicing A Journal of Policy and Practice·TypeObservational study·DateJan 24, 2023

In the transition to high school, eighth graders who move to a new building were less delinquent than peers who stayed in the same setting

A study found that students who moved to a new school location reported significantly less delinquency after the shift, with fewer delinquent friends and less unstructured socializing. The transition to a new academic setting might reduce levels of juvenile delinquency in the long run.

SourceAmerican Society of Criminology·JournalCriminology·DateOct 20, 2022

New computational tools to help target sex, labor trafficking operations

Researchers developed computational models to identify massage businesses at risk of violating laws related to sex and labor trafficking. The models provide probability scores on the likelihood that a business is engaged in illegal activity, allowing law enforcement and organizations to prioritize investigations.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIISE Transactions·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 12, 2022

Study finds expanding voting rights can reduce violence

A new study by Jean Lacroix found that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 halved instances of actual political violence and reduced the likelihood of new waves of violence. In counties covered by the act, citizens voted to voice their views, leading to a change in political strategies rather than policy changes.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJournal of the European Economic Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 6, 2022

How old is that fingerprint?

Researchers have identified two new unique molecular trends in fingerprint oils that can help estimate the age of a fingerprint. The presence of epoxides and an increase in medium-length fatty acids were found to be indicative of fingerprint aging.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateSep 21, 2022

Review of evaluations of project safe neighborhoods programs identifies gaps in literature, generally favorable outcomes

The study found that PSN programs had a statistically significant impact on reducing crime, with focused deterrence strategies being a favored approach. However, there were geographical gaps in the studies reviewed, and the researchers identified areas for future evaluators to consider.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Evaluation Journal·DateSep 6, 2022

Where and when violent crime rates fall, heart disease deaths fall, too

A new analysis of data from Chicago shows that as violent crime decreases, so does the area's death rate from heart disease. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found a significant decline in cardiovascular disease mortality when violent crime declined by more than 10%.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 14, 2022

Randomized controlled trial finds women’s help desks in local police stations in India increased registration of cases of gender-based violence; scale-up in progress

A randomized controlled trial found that establishing specialized help desks for women in local police stations in Madhya Pradesh, India led to increased registration of cases of gender-based violence. The presence of female officers was particularly effective in making the police more responsive to women's security needs.

SourceAbdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab·JournalScience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 7, 2022

More dogs in the neighborhood often means less crime

A study by Ohio State University found that neighborhoods with high levels of trust and more dogs had lower rates of homicide, robbery, and aggravated assaults compared to areas with fewer dogs. The presence of dog walkers serves as a form of neighborhood surveillance, discouraging crime and deterring potential threats.

SourceOhio State University·JournalSocial Forces·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 5, 2022

Over 70% of mass shootings in developed countries happen in the US, international analysis shows

A study published in the International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice found that mass shootings in the US account for 73% of all incidents in developed countries, resulting in 816 deaths. The research identified distinct characteristics of US mass shootings, including ideological motives and relationship problems.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalInternational Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 1, 2022

Anti-Asian hate tweets during COVID-19

A University of Utah-led study found a surge in anti-Asian hate language on Twitter between January and March 2020, with clusters of hateful tweets spreading across the US. The researchers identified 15 geographic regions where anti-Asian hate was statistically higher than expected.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 31, 2022

Building bridges after crime and self-punishment

Research found that self-punishment can garner sympathy for offenders by signaling their commitment to shared social norms. The study suggests that prolonged social exclusion and self-harm can be destructive, highlighting the need for support in making amends to society.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateMay 25, 2022

New study estimates annual cost of incarcerating adults convicted of child sex crimes topped $5.4 billion in 2021

A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimated that the US spent an average of $34,191 per incarcerated adult convicted of sex crimes against children under 18 in 2021. The total annual cost was over $5.4 billion, with conservative estimates suggesting nearly $49 billion for the current cohort of inmates.

Researchers from the GIST use artificial intelligence to identify potential unsafe locations in cities

GIST researchers propose a new strategy for crime prevention using artificial intelligence, trained on a large-scale dataset of deviant incident reports and corresponding images. The model, called DevianceNet, can accurately classify and detect deviant places, making it a useful tool in urban safety development.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 23, 2022

Child marriages violating statutory rape laws in many US states

A study by McGill University researchers found that child marriages in 14 US states violated statutory rape laws, often due to exemptions allowing sex between married couples. The research highlights the need to reexamine marital exemptions and raise the minimum legal age for marriage to avoid inconsistencies.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 17, 2022

Sanctuary city policies linked to lower crime rates in recent years

Research found sanctuary city policies decrease crime rates compared to counties that comply with ICE detainer requests. Implementing a sanctuary policy is associated with a significant drop in violent crimes, providing evidence of increased law enforcement effectiveness and decreased crime costs.

SourceWiley·JournalContemporary Economic Policy·DateFeb 9, 2022

Do emotions impact decisions on punishment in the context of crime?

A Canadian research team found that individuals making punishment decisions experience an almost instantaneous emotional reaction, which is stronger when responding to stereotypical criminals. This discovery has implications for policy makers and highlights the importance of considering emotions in decision-making processes.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalPsychology Crime and Law·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2022

Study links lead in childhood well water to teen delinquency

A new study found that children who drank well water with lead have a 21% higher risk of delinquency and 38% increased risk of serious complaints. Researchers analyzed a 20-year dataset linking blood lead measurements to reported juvenile delinquency records after age 14.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 1, 2022

First real-world study shows the potential of gait authentication to enhance smartphone security

A new study by the University of Plymouth has demonstrated the potential of gait authentication to protect smartphones from cyber crime. The system achieved an average accuracy rate of around 85% in recognizing individuals' stride patterns, with rates rising to almost 90% when participants were walking normally and fast.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalComputers & Security·TypeObservational study·DateDec 10, 2021

Special Issue of Criminology & Public Policy examines effects of COVID-19 on the criminal justice system

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed weaknesses in the criminal justice system, highlighting issues with family and domestic violence, gang activity, and police-community interactions. Scholars from the American Society of Criminology investigate these concerns in a special issue, exploring lessons learned and policy implications.

SourceAmerican Society of Criminology·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateDec 2, 2021

Experiences in prison reduce perceptions of corrections officers’ fairness, regardless of time served

A new study found that most incarcerated individuals' in-prison experiences lessen their perceptions of procedural justice and fairness, regardless of the length of time served. The research used a nationally representative sample of over 31,000 adults and examined various in-prison experiences on inmates' perceptions of staff members'...

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateOct 22, 2021