Articles tagged with Crime
Researchers at the University of South Carolina have developed a new technique called 'steam thermography' that can detect blood spots in crime scenes more effectively than luminol. The method uses thermal imaging and a hand steamer to highlight where blood is present, even in highly diluted samples.
A CSIRO scientist has developed a novel fingerprint detection method that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to reveal latent prints on surfaces. This technique enables faster and more precise analysis, reducing the need for heat and vacuum treatment in laboratories.
A study by the CDC found that excessive drinking cost the US $249 billion in 2010, with binge drinking responsible for most of these costs. The economic burden of excessive alcohol use includes reduced workplace productivity, crime, and healthcare expenses related to health problems caused by excessive drinking.
A new study reveals that viewers of 'Law and Order' have a better grasp of sexual consent than those who watch other crime dramas, suggesting a link between punishment of sexual predators and reduced predatory behavior. The study explores the influence of watching crime drama franchises on attitudes towards sexual consent.
A UCLA-led team developed a mathematical model to predict crime hotspots, which was tested in Los Angeles and Kent, England. The model accurately predicted crime locations more often than human analysts, leading to a significant reduction in crime rates in Los Angeles, with potential annual savings of $9 million.
A study published in Psychological Medicine suggests that predictive analytics can pinpoint soldiers at highest violence risk for preventive interventions. The model, developed from administrative data, identifies 5% of soldiers as having the highest predicted risk, accounting for a significant proportion of violent crimes.
A study by Carlson School of Management and NYU Stern found that increased broadband availability led to a 20% rise in racial hate crimes committed by lone-wolf perpetrators. The Internet's impact on hate crime was predominantly present in areas with higher levels of racism.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that 60% of criminals obtain guns through purchase or trade with family and acquaintances. The study also identified straw purchasers and gun traffickers as key sources of crime guns in Chicago.
A new study found that family arrest histories and delinquent friends were the best predictors of heavy drinking or long-term marijuana use among youth offenders. The researchers emphasized the importance of training youths to strengthen impulse control and resist peer pressure as part of drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs.
A cohort study found a modest association between SSRI use and violent crime among individuals aged 15-24, with increased risks of violent arrests and non-fatal injuries. In contrast, no significant associations were found for older adults, suggesting potential age-related differences in the link between SSRI use and violent behavior.
A long-term study published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal found that ex-prisoners with common psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse are more likely to commit violent crimes after release. The study estimated that up to a fifth of violent reoffending by former male prisoners can be attributed to diagnosed p...
A recent study suggests that victims of sexual assault who were intoxicated during the crime can still accurately report information when interviewed by police. The research challenges the misconception that intoxicated victims are unreliable and may provide less accurate testimony due to alcohol impairment.
Scientists have developed a technique to estimate the age of fingerprints, which could help investigators determine relevance and exclude older prints. The method uses palmitic acid migration rate to predict fingerprint age, applying to prints up to four days old, with plans to expand that window.
A new study from the University of Washington suggests that abusive children can exhibit either 'externalizing' (arguing, disobedience, fighting) or 'internalizing' (depression, withdrawal) behaviors, which are predictors of later criminal activity. Abused girls who internalize their emotions are more likely to commit crimes as adults.
A new statistical model unveiled at the Joint Statistical Meetings in Seattle helps police analysts quickly identify crime series and apprehend suspects. The model uses machine learning algorithms to analyze crime data and predict the likely location of next events in a series.
A new study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that reducing street lighting at night does not lead to an increase in road traffic collisions or crime. Local authorities can safely reduce energy costs and carbon emissions by carefully assessing risks, according to the researchers.
A recent study found that installing functional doors and windows in abandoned buildings can lead to a significant decrease in crime rates. Over a 2-year period, the study revealed an estimated 8 fewer assaults, 10 fewer gun assaults, and 5 fewer nuisance crimes in areas with improved building facades.
Researchers found a significant decrease in serious crimes in areas around remediated buildings, including a 39% reduction in gun assaults. The study suggests that making buildings safer can improve health outcomes and reduce crime.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found a significant link between living in neighborhoods with high crime and vandalism and biological aging processes. Telomere length, a key indicator of cellular health, was found to be shorter in individuals from disadvantaged areas, similar to a 12-year chronological age difference.
Researchers develop method to suppress guilty memories, reducing their impact on behavior and brain activity. The study uses EEG and Implicit Association Tests to demonstrate the effectiveness of suppressing crime-related memories.
A study by the Crime Victims' Institute found that Texas has a shortage of beds for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and that many face barriers to accessing services, including language and financial issues. The survey also highlighted the need for more support services, particularly for underserved populations.
Research reveals significant disparities in attitudes towards intimacy partner violence among Latin American immigrants and Spaniards. Latin Americans perceive situations as less severe and blame victims more. However, both groups show positive change after intervention programmes, suggesting equal effectiveness.
A study led by Plymouth University shows that offenders enrolled in alcohol treatment programmes are significantly less likely to be charged or reconvicted. The programmes reduced reoffending rates by 50%, with cognitive behavioural therapy proving most effective.
A nationwide study in Sweden found that men convicted of sex crimes are more likely to have relatives who also commit similar offenses due to genetic factors. The study suggests a substantial family risk increase and may inform preventive treatment strategies.
A study by North Carolina State University found that depictions of black men and women as criminals or suspects in TV news programs led to lower support for police among non-white viewers. Conversely, representations of white suspects had little impact on public opinion.
Scientists have developed a new method to analyze hair samples at crime scenes, using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to detect minute amounts of illicit drugs and explosives. This technique can quickly confirm whether hair is dyed and what brand of colorant was used.
A recent study finds that childhood maltreatment is linked to adult crime, but this effect disappears when accounting for socioeconomic status and later life factors. Protective experiences like high school graduation and marriage can significantly reduce an individual's risk of crime.
The study found that civilians offer numerous benefits to police departments, including cost savings, specialized skills, and improved community relations. However, it also raises concerns about job security, officer discretion, and operational disruption.
A study found innocent adults can be led to believe they committed serious crimes, including assault with a weapon, over the course of a few hours. Participants developed detailed false memories after being interviewed and encouraged to recall events.
Researchers from the University of Surrey discovered that closing eyes enhances memory recall in witnesses, while building rapport also increases accuracy. In two experiments, participants showed improved performance when recalling details after closing their eyes, regardless of whether rapport was built beforehand.
A study published in Sex Roles found that sexual objectification increases women's fear of face-to-face crime and physical harm. The researchers suggest that challenging social acceptance of sexual objectification can help transform unequal power distributions between men and women, reducing violence against women.
A study by Sam Houston State University's Crime Victims' Institute found that college students are at higher risk for stalking than the general public. Only one-quarter of college victims reported stalking incidents to police, compared to 32 percent of the general population.
Research found geographical differences in life satisfaction and personality traits across London's postal districts. Openness to experience and agreeableness were associated with higher life satisfaction, while extraversion was linked to lower life satisfaction in certain areas.
A new study by Michigan State University sociologist Toby Ten Eyck analyzed news coverage of graffiti in US publications, finding most articles linked it to crime and blight. However, some stories highlighted graffiti as an expression of solidarity or social commentary.
A new study from the University of Chicago Crime Lab and the University of Pennsylvania found that a public summer jobs program for high school students from disadvantaged neighborhoods in Chicago reduced violent crime arrests by 43 percent. The program offered eight weeks of part-time employment at Illinois minimum wage, accompanied b...
A study by Julian Hargreaves from Cambridge's Centre of Islamic Studies found that British Muslim communities may not be as victimized by violent crime or dissatisfied with the police as widely believed. Positive attitudes towards the police were also found, with 61.2% of respondents rating their local police as good or excellent.
A new Duke University study finds that people evaluate scientific evidence based on its policy implications, leading to denial of problems even when faced with strong evidence. The study sheds light on why conservatives and liberals disagree so vehemently over issues like climate change.
Researchers will develop algorithmic methods and models to aid in complex DNA mixture interpretation, including identifying multiple contributors and determining match strength. The goal is to achieve accurate and reliable methods for interpreting forensic data from physical evidence.
A study by Sam Houston State University's Crime Victims' Institute found that Texas campus police often fail to respond effectively to stalking cases due to victim fears and lack of policies. The report calls for improved strategies and partnerships between law enforcement and colleges to better support victims.
A study found that states with larger African-American populations are more likely to have harsher incarceration practices and conditions of confinement. States with lower rates of poverty also exhibit greater punitiveness in terms of political and symbolic punishment.
A study by RAND Corporation found that a community justice court in San Francisco significantly reduces the risk of rearrest among low-level offenders. The court's multifaceted approach, including access to services and reduced time between arrest and court appearance, contributes to lower recidivism rates.
New research suggests that a specific brain wave, P300, can be used to identify details that a person has seen and recognized from everyday life. A study found that this method could potentially be used in criminal investigations and courtrooms, with promising results.
A Sam Houston State University study examines the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in policing, identifying key uses and limitations. The review found that while GIS is widely used for crime mapping and profiling, there is a lack of independent evaluations on its effectiveness in curbing crime.
A study found that frequent Facebook use and inability to regulate social media consumption make individuals susceptible to phishing attacks. Social media phishing is used in various crimes, including home invasion, cyber bullying, and espionage, highlighting the need for understanding why people fall victim to such scams.
A Michigan State University study suggests that adolescents who are more fearful of crime are less likely to become victims and offenders of violent acts. The research found that fearful youth tend to avoid potentially dangerous situations, leading to safer outcomes.
A new Israeli study found that crime dropped after transferring authority over jails from police to the Prison Authority, leading to more arrests and longer detention periods. The study suggests that similar reforms in California may result in an increase in crime rates.
A recent study by Hayley Cleary found that few juvenile suspects are aware of their constitutional rights during interrogations, with parents largely absent and lawyers rarely present. This raises concerns about due process and the vulnerability of adolescents to coercive interrogation tactics.
According to a 2010 CDC survey, an estimated 1.4 million women in Texas experience stalking during their lifetimes, with nearly half reporting weekly unwanted contacts. The report emphasizes the need for increased data collection and reporting on stalking to improve laws and support services.
A new policy paper highlights how declining wildlife populations drive violent conflicts, organized crime, and child labor worldwide. Biologists must join forces with experts from various fields to address this complex challenge.
Research found that sleep-deprived individuals who viewed photos of a crime and then read false information were more likely to report remembering the false details. The study suggests that chronic sleep deprivation may increase susceptibility to false memories, with implications for eyewitness reliability.
Researchers at Drexel University and Temple University found that the introduction of SugarHouse Casino had no significant impact on violent street felonies, vehicle crime, residential burglary, or drug crimes in the immediate neighborhood. Crime rates were largely unaffected, with some displacement to surrounding areas observed.
Researchers found that a specific gene (MAOA) interacts with childhood adversity to predict higher rates of crime in an incarcerated sample. The study, published in Psychiatric Genetics, suggests that gene-by-environment interactions play a crucial role in understanding crime variation.
A study found that when friends make small indulgences together, it enhances their friendship. However, when the stakes are high, they bond through moral support. This understanding can help brands and policymakers tailor their strategies to promote accountability and well-being.
Researchers used a new method to analyze 17,549 vehicle burglaries from 2004 to 2009, finding links between socioeconomic and physical environments. The study identified factors associated with increased and decreased burglary rates, providing insights for law enforcement and local communities.
Rates of violent crime in the US have decreased since the 1990s, with significant declines in assaults involving weapons or injuries, bullying, and sexual victimization. Researchers attribute these declines to factors such as increased use of psychiatric medication and electronic technology.
A study of 429 crimes committed by 143 offenders with serious mental disorders found that only 7.5% were directly related to symptoms of mental illness. Most offenders who committed crimes with mental illness symptoms also had unrelated crimes for other reasons, such as poverty or substance abuse.
A UT Dallas study found that serious youth offenders who lack hope for the future are more likely to offend at high rates and commit serious offenses. The study suggests that youths who believe they will die earlier tend to focus on short-term gains, leading to impulsive behavior.
A new study published in SAGE Open found that Southern death-row offenders are more likely to apologize for their crimes, with two times the frequency of non-Southerners. However, the degree of remorse shown by Southerners and non-Southerners did not differ.
A new study published in Crime Science found that below ground offences are concentrated at particular stations, with the highest risk during morning and late afternoon peak travel periods. The research developed an algorithm to calculate the probability of where theft is most likely, helping authorities target resources more effectively.
A study found that African-American city police officers are rarely depicted as leading characters in films and when they are, they are overwhelmingly portrayed as comedic entertainment. The researchers argue that this perpetuates negative stereotypes and may impact public perceptions of African-American officers.