Articles tagged with Crime
A study by UC Riverside researchers found that street-based sex workers invest considerable emotional effort into maintaining loyal customers. They use relational work activities such as friendly service, flexible payments, and scheduling to retain clients. This approach helps them avoid potentially violent or abusive clients and provi...
Researchers found that individuals born in the mid-1990s were less likely to be classified as an offender compared to those born in the 1980s. Older cohorts were more likely than younger cohorts to have adolescent-limited or chronic arrest trajectories into adulthood.
Research from Bocconi University reveals that mafia connections harm a company's financial performance, leading to lower return on assets, higher debt, and lower cash holdings. Connected firms are also more likely to go bust, with a 25.5% increase in default risk.
Forensic scientists have developed a new method using Easylift tape to collect and analyze microplastic samples, improving efficiency and accuracy. This technique enables multiple analytical techniques to be applied to the samples afterwards and preserves them for future study.
A study found that Airbnb listings were associated with increased violence in Boston neighborhoods, but not with public social disorder or private conflict. The researchers suggest that the presence of short-term rentals may erode local social dynamics and lead to increased violence over time.
A new study published in The Economic Journal found that the presence of adult entertainment establishments in New York City significantly decreases sex crimes. Researchers combined crime data with opening dates of these establishments to find a 13% reduction in sex crimes within one week of opening.
A study by economists from Ural Federal University and Shippensburg University found that the fracking boom led to increased burglaries and violent crimes in rural US states. The increase in violent crime rates was attributed to factors such as low-skilled temporary jobs, income inequality, and environmental disamenities.
A team of researchers at the University of Birmingham developed an interactive lineup software that enables witnesses to rotate and view lineup faces from different angles. This improvement in discrimination accuracy is crucial for more reliably identifying criminals, as misidentification is a leading cause of wrongful convictions.
A recent study found that foreign-born status, but not acquired U.S. citizenship, protects against criminal victimization. Researchers used new data to explore the association between citizenship status and risk of victimization, finding significantly lower rates of victimization among foreign-born citizens compared to U.S.-born citizens.
Research found that parenting styles with high levels of behavioral control, such as authoritative and no-nonsense styles, reduced the risk of crime in adulthood. In contrast, low-control styles like abusive, permissive, and lax styles significantly increased the risk for crime.
New research shows that ridesharing services can significantly reduce the risk of sexual assault in neighborhoods with limited public transportation. The study found a 6.3% reduction in rape incidents after Uber entered a city, and a 3% decrease in likelihood for every 1% increase in Uber pickups.
New research by University of Kent found that EEG-based forensic memory detection tests have limited validity in older adults due to changes in recognition-related brain activity with aging. The study tested 30 young and 30 older adults using concealed information tests, finding only strong EEG responses in the younger group.
New data on Anak Krakatau volcano flank collapse provides a clearer picture of the event, which triggered a devastating tsunami in Indonesia. The research used synthetic aperture radar images, field observations, and aerial photographs to create a more accurate model of the volcano before and after it collapsed.
A national report from UNH's CCRC found that 1.4 million children and teens visit medical facilities for violence-related treatment each year. Most visits were to treat injuries, but some were to document harms or seek supportive help for problems like bullying.
A new study by economists at UC Riverside and University of Louisiana found that juvenile incarceration has a deterrent effect on property crimes but increases the probability of drug-related crimes as an adult. Rehabilitation programs may improve welfare outcomes for convicted juveniles.
A new legal framework for traffic enforcement, proposed by University of Arkansas law professor Jordan Blair Woods, separates traffic laws from critical police functions. This would delegate most traffic enforcement to newly created traffic agencies, reducing racial and economic injustice in stops.
A three-month project led by Professor Rachel Armitage from the University of Huddersfield is investigating the impact of burglar alarms on residential burglary. The study, which combines data analysis and surveys, aims to clarify whether burglar alarms are an effective crime prevention measure.
A new University of California, Berkeley study finds that nonjudgmental empathy training for court-appointed supervision officers can lead to a 13% decrease in recidivism among their clients. The findings are significant given the US criminal justice system's high rates of recidivism.
A study by Jamie J. Fader found that young men of color in Philadelphia's Frankford neighborhood avoid public spaces out of concern for unpredictable interactions with law enforcement. This avoidance results in limited social engagement, community disengagement, and reduced opportunities for education and employment.
New research by Dr. Ross Hickey suggests that private security systems are diverting police resources from those who need them most, exacerbating existing inequities in public protection. This can include households with lower incomes or those living on the street, which may not be receiving the same level of policing services.
Research from UCL found a surprising synchronicity between car accidents and violent crimes in Mexico City, revealing 'heartbeats' of the city that peak in the evening. Improving road safety could improve crime prevention and give more resources to police tackling crime.
A study by Hebrew University researchers found that natural disasters lead to a decrease in crime and an increase in charitable giving in directly affected areas. However, neighboring regions experienced a marked increase in philanthropy, driven by empathy and solidarity.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that response speed is an important cue on which people base their sincerity inferences. Participants rated delayed responses as less sincere than immediate ones, regardless of the question's seriousness.
The study explores how different factors contribute to heat-related mortality in urban areas, including the built environment and socio-economic conditions. It highlights the need for efficient infrastructure measures and spatial planning considerations to mitigate heatwave impacts on public health.
A University of Michigan study examining 3.8 million federal inventory records found little evidence that seizing military weapons increases violent crime or puts police at risk. Previous data analyses supporting the use of military equipment to reduce crime were unreliable due to data problems.
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that the militarization of local law enforcement through military equipment does not reduce crime rates. Researchers discovered significant discrepancies in the federal government's tracking of surplus military equipment and incomplete records, making it difficult to draw firm concl...
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison analyzed Texas arrest data and found that undocumented immigrants were significantly less likely to be arrested for various felony offenses compared to U.S. citizens. The researchers believe that first-generation immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, tend to have lower crime...
Crime rates among undocumented immigrants in Texas are significantly lower than those of legal immigrants and native-born U.S. citizens, according to a study analyzing arrest data between 2012 and 2018. The findings suggest that removal of undocumented immigrants may not lead to increased crime rates.
A University of Kansas study found that demolishing over 500 abandoned homes in Kansas City did not significantly reduce nearby violent or property crime. Instead, socioeconomic and housing characteristics were stronger predictors of change in crime rates.
A new study, funded by the National Institute for Health Research Public Health programme, investigates the impact of changing bar and club opening hours on health, crime levels, and emergency services in Scotland. The study aims to understand how later opening hours affect ambulance callouts, crimes, and public services.
Protests correlated with short-term drop in fatal interactions with police for Black individuals, contributing to the body of research on protest effectiveness. No evidence found that protests increased crime or decreased proactive policing.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that sanctuary policies protect immigrants and reduce deportations, but have no measurable impact on crime rates. Sanctuary policies prevented about 22,300 deportations nationwide between 2013 and 2015.
A study analyzing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data found that sanctuary policies decrease overall deportations, particularly among individuals with violent convictions. However, crime rates remain unaffected, suggesting that sanctuary policies do not threaten public safety.
A new set of assessment tools shows promise in capturing how the COVID-19 pandemic affects patterns of criminal activity. The toolkit uses resilience theory to examine the impact of exceptional events on crime patterns, with preliminary evidence linking the pandemic to increased domestic violence and declines in other forms of crime.
The new paper reveals that redesigning New York City's summons form and sending text message reminders reduced failure to appear rates by 13% and 21%, respectively. The findings suggest that many defendants who fail to appear are not intentionally skipping court, but are effectively unaware of court information.
A new study found that negative social media rhetoric about refugees in Germany correlated with an increase in anti-refugee hate crimes. The researchers used text analysis tools to investigate the relationship between social media content and offline behavior.
A new study published in the Journal of Crime and Justice found that undocumented immigration has no significant effect on violent crime, but a negative impact on property crime. This contradicts popular misconceptions about immigrants being a driver of crime rates.
Researchers found that warnings about inaccurate information decreased susceptibility to misinformation. Warnings were effective whether delivered before or after the misinformation, and participants displayed increased brain activity related to the original event.
A new study found that members of Generation X, who came of age during the 1980s and early 1990s, have higher rates of incarceration throughout their lives. This is due to extended criminal history under a determinate sentencing regime implemented in 1994.
Researchers Cynthia Lum and Christopher Koper are studying COVID-19's impact on Fairfax County Police Department's crime rates, operations, and police-community interactions. The study aims to describe the agency's response and document lessons learned for a national audience.
A new THC Rapid Field Test Kit developed by Purdue University and Hemp Synergistics allows law enforcement to distinguish hemp from marijuana in under five minutes, accurately measuring THC levels. This tool is expected to lower forensic laboratory submissions of suspected marijuana cases by 50%.
A new study found that schools with increased law enforcement officer presence experienced higher crime rates and more student exclusions. The research, conducted by the University of Maryland and Westat, suggests that increasing SRO staffing levels does not improve school safety and may even exacerbate issues.
A recent study by Washington State University criminologist Kathryn DuBois found that women from small towns are most at risk of intimate partner violence, with a 27% higher likelihood of being victims compared to urban areas and 42% more likely than suburban women.
A new study identifies 20 ways AI can be used to facilitate crime over the next 15 years, with fake content ranking highest in concern. The report highlights the potential for AI-powered crimes like deepfakes to erode trust in audio and visual evidence.
A new academic paper examines the history of anti-Asian hate crimes during health crises, revealing a long-standing pattern of xenophobia and discrimination. The study highlights how COVID-19 has furthered this historical trend, with Asian Americans facing verbal harassment, physical violence, and unwarranted suspicion.
Biased perceptions of hate crimes are linked to sympathies with supremacist groups and societal grievances, according to a study. Prejudice against minority groups influences perception of the motivations behind mass shootings.
A study examines the link between COVID-19 and anti-Asian hate crimes in the US, revealing vast underreporting and a spike in racist incidents. The researchers found that less than half of Asian hate crime victimizations are reported to police, highlighting the need for increased awareness and action.
Salk scientists have developed a new lineup method that reveals the strength of recognition memory for each face and eliminates unconscious biases. This technique, called paired comparisons, estimates the probability of correctly identifying the culprit, offering an unprecedented quantitative index of certainty.
A new forensic approach aims to gauge the strength of witness memory and minimize unwitting bias in police lineup processes. The technique, which uses neuroscience and psychology, assigns a probability value to witness testimony and scores responses based on paired comparisons of photos.
A team of scientists from the University of Portsmouth has developed a new forensic fingerprinting technique to lift finger-marks from pangolin scales, enabling wildlife crime officers to identify poachers and bring them to justice. The method uses gelatine lifters and has been successful in producing clear finger-mark detail on 74% of...
A nationwide study by University of South Florida professors reveals that blacks are five times more likely and Latinos four times more likely to fear police brutality than whites. This disparity affects the emotional toll on minorities, leading to psychological and physical health consequences.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde have developed new methods for detecting fingermarks on Scottish banks' new polymer notes, which are not effective with traditional cotton banknote techniques. The most effective process involves superglue fuming and infrared light.
A study found an association between SSRI treatment and violent crime in adults and adolescents, with a significant increase during treated periods. The risk persisted for up to 12 weeks after stopping SSRI treatment, highlighting the need for clinical awareness of this potential side effect.
A UCLA-led study found a significant increase in domestic violence calls to police in Los Angeles and Indianapolis during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers predict that the incidence of domestic violence will decrease as people return to normal routines, but may increase again if there is a second wave of COVID-19 infections.
Researchers found that small and independent stores had fewer resources for place management than large chain stores, making it harder to control neighborhood crime. However, improved law enforcement and manager training may help reduce crime in areas with high density of alcohol sales outlets.
Engineers are developing a rapid test kit for identifying body fluids at crime scenes, which will improve the speed and accuracy of investigations. The disposable tool can detect multiple types of body fluid protein biomarkers from small samples.
A new study sheds light on the lesser-known internet crime of sextortion, which poses a threat to adults and minors. The research highlights the importance of protecting the public from online criminals and calls for increasing awareness and changing legislation to include other forms of internet-based sexual abuse crimes.
The study assesses Iowa's data-driven patrol strategy, which aims to significantly reduce serious injury and fatal vehicle crashes. The researchers will follow the implementation of the program and evaluate its effects using quasi-experimental designs.
A new study found that people are no better than chance at identifying false memories of committing a crime, even when told they're fake. The research used videos from a previous study where participants were tricked into believing they had committed a crime, and found that many true memories looked like false ones.
Charlotte Gill is leading a project to develop a guidebook and online training course for police agencies in small and rural communities. The project aims to translate evidence-based crime reduction best practices into actionable recommendations for these agencies.