Articles tagged with Police
New eyewitness identification procedures being adopted by police departments across the US may lead to fewer correct identifications while reducing false errors. Researchers raise concerns that these changes could have unintended consequences and policymakers need to carefully weigh the data before making policy decisions.
Studies found that stun gun use increases citizen injuries by 41% when solo and 47% when paired with other force methods, but officer safety is also heightened
A study by BC-CfE and UBC found that safer indoor sex work spaces promote health and safety among street-based sex workers, reducing exposure to violence and HIV. These programs provide supportive housing, security measures, and health resources, increasing control over sex work transactions and improving relations with police.
A Michigan State University study found that citizens are injured 41% of the time when stun guns are used during apprehension, compared to 29% without stun gun use. Meanwhile, officers are injured only 5% with stun guns, but nearly 10% without.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that reminding people about secular authority decreases their distrust of atheists. The research suggests that when individuals are reminded of the role of government and law in maintaining social order, they become less negative towards atheists.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal disputes the notion that older drivers are inherently poor. Frailty and driving habits contribute to their overrepresentation in fatal crashes. Despite this, many physicians base licensing decisions on incorrect beliefs.
A new study finds that emergency dispatchers experience high levels of peritraumatic distress and symptoms of PTSD after handling potentially traumatic calls. The research highlights the need for prevention and intervention support for these workers.
Researchers found that exposure to alcohol-related images can lead to increased expression of racial bias on a subconscious level. Participants who viewed these ads made more errors indicative of racial bias in a subsequent task than those who viewed non-alcoholic beverage ads.
A study by Columbia Business School researchers found that stress-induced cortisol increases facilitate accurate threat-related decision making in police officers, especially when dealing with armed black targets. The findings suggest that police departments may benefit from modulating stress levels during training to improve accuracy.
A study by Dr. Lorraine Hope found that less than 60 seconds of physical exertion can severely impair a police officer's ability to remember details of an incident, including recognizing the person involved. This can lead to inaccuracies in witness accounts and potentially affect an officer's credibility.
Researchers found that chimpanzees intervene in conflicts to preserve group peace, exhibiting prosocial behavior based on community concern. This policing activity was rare and limited to high-ranking individuals, who were more willing to intervene if several quarrelers were involved.
In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers observed chimpanzee groups and found that high-ranking individuals intervene in conflicts to ensure group stability. This behavior is driven by a community concern interest, with more parties to a conflict resulting in greater policing.
The simulator uses a force model to represent the behavior of thousands of pedestrians, taking into account obstacles and destinations. This allows security services to track the consequences of specific decisions in real-life situations.
A new report from Michigan State University criminologists found that local police were involved in nearly half of the identified product counterfeiting cases related to Michigan, highlighting their crucial role in combating this growing crime. The study also revealed alarming statistics, including a $3 million fine for an individual c...
A recent study found that news coverage emphasizing the role of alcohol in violent crime and fatal injuries can increase public support for alcohol-control laws. The study revealed that most news reports on these topics fail to mention alcohol, leading to a lack of awareness about its contribution to accidents and violence.
A recent study by University of Toronto and Nipissing criminologists reveals that Canadian police departments largely do not report race in practice, despite only 20% having an explicit policy against it. This suppression of data hinders the development of effective initiatives to improve relations with racialized communities.
A 24-month research project aims to develop a national profile of police integrity by analyzing police crime committed by sworn law enforcement officers. The study will determine the nature and extent of police crime in the US and how law enforcement agencies discipline officers who are arrested.
A study found that 40% of police officers have a sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea or insomnia, which can lead to adverse health and safety outcomes. The study also showed that positive screening for any sleep disorder was associated with increased risk of depression, burnout, and accidents while driving.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal article argues that routine HIV disclosure prosecutions are unnecessary and harmful. With highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the transmission of HIV from treated individuals is now extremely low, making criminal prosecution ineffective in preventing infection.
Two UNH studies found that only 2.5% of youth surveyed participated in sexting in the past year, and most cases involving teens were handled thoughtfully by law enforcement without treating them like sex offenders. The studies also revealed that images rarely circulated online, with two-thirds staying on cell phones.
A study led by Dr. Charles Marmar found that police recruits with higher cortisol awakening responses were more likely to experience acute stress symptoms in response to trauma years later. The study suggests that measuring cortisol levels could be a potential indicator for identifying those at high risk for PTSD.
A groundbreaking study by the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail found that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk to police officers is lower than initially thought. Police officers who received interventional support after traumatic events showed reduced symptoms of PTSD.
A new study found that false confessions are a common cause of errors in evidence, with 25% of exonerated individuals having made false confessions. The study suggests that juries and judges may be misled by false confessions, leading to miscarriages of justice.
A University of Cincinnati study found that a small group of landlords own many properties with high crime rates, suggesting that property owners themselves may be the root cause of the problem. The researchers recommend focusing on educating and targeting these landlords to reduce police calls and crime in the area.
A new study reveals that only 30% of US state police agencies have automated external defibrillators in their vehicles, despite the lifesaving devices being available for nearly $1,000 each. Training for officers in AED use is common, but equipment availability remains a significant issue.
Researchers found that photos taken by police and fashion agents share similar characteristics, highlighting the universality of image-making processes. The study suggests that both fields use documentary portraits to fix identities motivated by transformation, with similar lighting, poses, branding, and record-keeping.
Researchers at UCLA have designed a mathematical algorithm to analyze crime patterns and identify street gangs involved in unsolved violent crimes. The algorithm, which was tested on real data from an East Los Angeles police district, correctly identified the most likely gang rivalries 80% of the time.
Healthcare access in Greece declined during the financial crisis, with long waiting times and supply-side problems contributing to reduced doctor consultations. This led to increased hospital admissions, suicides, and other alarming indicators such as rising HIV infections and heroin use.
A new study by University College London found that targeted policing can lead to a reduction in crime not only in the targeted area but also in surrounding locations, known as 'diffusion of benefits'. Problem-oriented policing was shown to have the greatest positive effect on crime in nearby areas.
Two studies cast doubt on whether sex offender registries work as intended, finding that registration requirements reduce reported sex crime by up to 13%, but public notification may actually increase recidivism. A third study finds no evidence that sex offender registries are effective in increasing public safety.
Researchers found that role abandonment by first responders is unlikely if organizations are proactive in protecting their employees. The study suggests that employers should reach out to families and provide support and resources for spouses to alleviate role strain. Additionally, education on disaster threats and personal protective ...
Researchers developed a method to analyze confiscated indoor fireworks using four techniques, revealing hazardous substances like methanol and boric acid. The technique can be performed with mobile devices and provides conclusive scientific tests on the nature of these liquids.
Research suggests that almost 1 million US criminal cases are compromised each year due to a lack of understanding about Miranda warnings. According to psychologist Richard Rogers, defendants often incorrectly believe their silence can be used against them in court.
Researchers tested a Boston police officer's claim of running past a brutal beating without seeing it. The study found that even under less demanding conditions than the officer faced, it's possible to miss something as obvious as a fight. The results suggest that inattentional blindness may have played a role in the officer's conviction.
Researchers found that cooperative bacteria can evolve behaviors that eliminate fitness advantages derived from cheating within social groups. The 'policing' mechanism allows cooperators to outcompete cheaters in mixed groups, but also strongly benefits cooperator cells in certain contexts.
Geographic profiling successfully located the sources of disease outbreaks in London and Cairo, revealing breeding habitats of mosquito Anopheles sergentii. This method shows great promise as a component of policy relating to control of various infectious diseases.
Digital forensic examiners experience moderate stress but high job satisfaction due to unclear standards and multiple ways of collecting evidence. Police officials should consider hiring more digital forensics experts or improving their work environment.
A new study funded by the National Institute of Justice will investigate the issue of untested rape kits in Houston and develop strategies to solve the problem. The project includes collaboration between researchers from Sam Houston State University, the University of Texas at Austin, and law enforcement agencies.
An analysis of 900 regular-season NFL games found a 10% increase in calls to police reporting men's assaults on their wives or intimate partners following losses by the local team. The researchers suggest that unexpected disappointments, particularly those involving traditional rival teams, may lead to an increase in violent behavior.
A new Penn study reveals that nearly 80% of women who report domestic assaults to the police seek medical care in emergency rooms, but only 28% are ever identified as victims of abuse. The study highlights the need for routine screening and referrals to social services to help protect these women.
A Cardiff University study found a strong link between happy hour-style drinking promotions and pub violence in the UK. The research suggests that premises with aggressive pricing strategies and lax staff monitoring are more likely to experience high levels of violence.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a system that can automatically match hand-drawn facial sketches to mug shots in law enforcement databases. The method achieved promising results, correctly identifying the suspect in 45% of cases.
Research shows that building rapport before interviewing cooperative adult witnesses decreases the percentage of inaccurate information reported, especially when using open-ended questions.
UC researchers showcase Effective Practices in Community Supervision, targeting criminogenic risk factors, and examine the impact of police technology on officer safety and efficiency. They also investigate police interventions to prevent crime, analyzing calls for service and identifying geographic areas most in need of assistance.
A study by University of Illinois professors reveals that lesbian moms who experience intimate partner violence are often reluctant to seek help due to fear of losing custody. The researchers found that these women assume people are prejudiced against them and may try to solve the problem alone or hide their abuse from others.
Researchers at Iowa State University found that innocent suspects may confess to a crime to relieve short-term distress and avoid long-term consequences. In two experiments, participants shifted their admissions to avoid immediate questions, even knowing it increased the likelihood of future consequences.
Research suggests that eyewitness identifications and expert testimony are often unreliable due to bias. Alternative methods like the PEACE model can reduce false confessions. Juries are largely effective at considering evidence, despite implicit biases.
A University of Montreal study found that playing on a criminal's guilt can yield more effective confessions than coercive methods. The research analyzed the conditions under which prisoners confessed to their crimes, highlighting the importance of police evidence and the interrogator's attitude.
Researchers at MSU found that soldiers with a positive outlook were less likely to experience health problems after traumatic events. The study suggests training individuals to think more optimistically could help them cope better with distressing events.
A national survey found that 58.3% of children and teens reported at least one direct victimization in the past year, with 45.7% known to authorities. School authorities were more likely to be aware than police or medical authorities.
Research reveals that teen girls living in the most deprived areas are five times as likely to be assaulted compared to their affluent peers. The disparity is particularly pronounced for girls living in city areas, who are almost three times more likely to experience assault.
Researchers Francisco Úbeda and Edgar Duéñez found that moral corruption and power asymmetries are necessary for overall societal cooperation. Without law enforcers, individuals have less incentive to cooperate, while without power and corruption, law enforcers lose their motivation to do their job.
A recent study found that individuals in high-powered jobs that don't align with their gender are more likely to be judged less competently and face greater scrutiny for mistakes. This phenomenon, known as the glass cliff, can hinder women's career advancement in traditionally male roles.
A Yale University study found that LGB adolescents are 40% more likely to be punished by school authorities, police, and the courts. Girls who identified as lesbian or bisexual were especially at risk for unequal treatment, with twice as many police stops, arrests, and convictions.
Exposure to community violence is pervasive among urban youth, who adopt coping strategies such as associating with non-violent friends or avoiding situations where violence may erupt. Achievement in school is a common pathway for some youth to escape violent environments and improve their future prospects.
A study by Case Western Reserve University found that emergency department doctors are less likely to prescribe pain medication to patients with a history of crime, drug abuse, or poor health status. The researchers surveyed 398 physicians and analyzed the data to identify social biases in prescription practices.
A new generator has been developed to produce synthetic breath for evidential breath analyzers, reducing measurement uncertainty in alcohol concentration. The device can also be used to calibrate other sensors with different components.
The US Department of Homeland Security is developing a national standard for bomb suits to provide sufficient protection for first responders. The proposed standard outlines minimum performance requirements, including blast and thermal heat protection, freedom of motion, and defogger performance, to ensure the safety of bomb technicians.
The UK youth justice system disproportionately affects black and mixed-race youths through proactive policing methods. Researchers found that different policing styles led to varying arrest rates and outcomes for suspects, with more professional approaches resulting in fewer arrests of minority groups.
A new RAND Corporation study concludes that providing body armor to all US police officers nationwide is worth the cost, with a potential saving of at least eight lives annually. The study estimates that outfitting all 236,000 officers without body armor would cost $26 million annually.