Articles tagged with Police
Researchers found that small-scale corruption in the South African police force is commonplace and often condoned by those involved. Police officers frequently accept gifts from residents, which should not be seen as bribes but rather as a social gesture to build relationships.
Dr. Sandra Garvie-Lok, an anthropologist from the University of Alberta, analyzed human remains found in a tunnel in ancient Nemea, Greece, to determine the cause of death. Her findings suggest that the victim was likely an eyewitness to the Slavic invasion and died from injuries sustained during the event.
Researchers at UCLA use mathematical modeling to analyze urban crime patterns, identifying two types of 'hotspots' that respond differently to policing. The model predicts when increased policing efforts will displace or suppress crime, providing valuable insights for law enforcement.
A Cochrane review found that flexible working arrangements with employee control can positively impact health outcomes such as blood pressure and sleep patterns. The study also highlighted the need for further research on how different types of workers experience the effects of flexible working.
The police service is grappling with a range of challenges in the face of a global recession, including the risk of over-centralisation and politicization. Experts argue that policing must adapt to new priorities and acknowledge the limitations of its powers.
A new study finds that night shift workers and those with frequent overtime have a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study also reveals younger officers working at night are more likely to develop this condition.
Gary Wells, a noted scholar on eyewitness misidentifications, is conducting two new studies to explore the thought processes of eyewitnesses when their memory fails. The studies aim to understand how mistaken identifications occur and develop a better theoretical understanding to improve police procedures.
China's new initiatives aim to replace 'paper tigers' with real conservation efforts, including improved policing of tiger trade and awareness-raising campaigns. The International Tiger Coalition welcomes China's engagement and recognizes the country's crucial role in wild tiger conservation.
The US Department of Homeland Security's new multi-band radio technology aims to improve communication among first responders during emergencies. The radios can work on five frequency bands currently used by state and local first responders, as well as four exclusive federal government bands.
Researchers found that heavy TV-crime viewers estimated two and a half times more real-world deaths due to murder than non-viewers. They also consistently overestimated the frequency of crime in the real world. Viewers, particularly lawyers and police officers, misjudged the number of workers in these professions.
A new computer program called EFIT-V is being used by European police departments to help witnesses remember and recognize suspects. The software generates multiple faces that evolve based on the witness' memories, increasing identifications of suspects compared to traditional methods.
The pilot demonstration evaluated radiation detection sensors and protocols for small vessel maritime environment. Small vessels, including recreational boats and commercial vessels, are screened for radiological materials using portable hand-held sensors and boat-mounted systems.
A study using virtual reality and real-world hide-and-seek found that people tend to look closer to their starting location when searching for objects. When hiding objects, they disperse them over a wider area. This research could lead to more realistic game environments and advanced search-enhancing tools for law enforcement.
The Georgia Tech Research Institute has released an open-source version of its FalconView software, expanding its user base to include municipalities, police forces, architects, and environmental researchers. The new version offers enhanced mapping capabilities, analysis tools, and improved interoperability.
University at Buffalo researchers found that police officers have a higher incidence of subclinical atherosclerosis due to occupational stress. Lifestyle factors were controlled for in the analysis, leading to the conclusion that policing itself is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
A new study suggests that college-community cooperation programs can help reduce heavy episodic drinking, with a Western Washington University program showing a decline in student binge drinking. The findings highlight the importance of collaboration between colleges and their surrounding neighborhoods to combat problem drinking.
Scientists have developed a non-intrusive scanner that uses electromagnetic waves to detect concealed guns and knives without putting police officers in harm's way. The device uses neural network technology to identify the weapon and ignore everyday items, making it a potential game-changer for mobile gun detection.
A new method uses laser ablation and multicollector ICP-MS to detect small variations in sulphur isotopes in hair, which can be linked to a person's geographical movements. The technique has been tested on volunteers with different diets and origins, showing promise for tracking international criminals.
Promotional tests may deter top applicants, causing anxiety and negatively impacting job performance, according to a study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School. The research found that fairness perceptions were not linked to exam results, but rather with candidates' willingness to recommend the process.
Two studies found that injuries inflicted by police officers are relatively rare, with less than one percent requiring hospital admission for related incidents. However, high rates of drug and alcohol use, psychiatric history, and deaths due to firearms were observed among those being restrained.
A new Georgia State University study found that police officers with a higher ability to multitask are less likely to shoot unarmed persons when feeling threatened during video simulations. Officers with lower working memory capacity and high negative emotionality were more likely to make shooting decisions.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that work stress among urban police officers is significantly associated with adverse mental and physical health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and intimate partner abuse. The study identified five major categories of stressors, including exposure to criti...
A study reveals that fire-related deaths are a major public-health problem in India, with over 163,000 deaths in 2001, mostly among young women. The authors estimate that these deaths are six times higher than reported by the police and suggest common causes including kitchen accidents, self-immolation, and domestic violence.
Research by Dr. Don Kurtz found that men and women in the police force deal with stress differently, which can cause more stress for both genders. Women often feel excluded from war stories and have better coping mechanisms for violent cases.
A new study published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences examines the prevalence of 'Suicide by Cop' (SBC) among North American officer-involved shootings. The study found that SBC occurs at an extremely high rate, with 36% of all shootings categorized as SBC, resulting in a 50% chance of death or injury.
A recent study found that false confessions can significantly influence eyewitness testimony, with 60% of witnesses changing their minds when told of a confession. This has serious implications for the legal system and suggests that investigators need to be aware of how confessions may impact eyewitness identifications.
A new study reveals that most young violent offenders in two NYC neighborhoods have seen someone die in a violent incident, highlighting the impact of lifelong exposure to violence on their behavior. The study also found that these youth often cite trauma and lack of feeling safe as reasons for their actions.
A survey of US academic emergency physicians found nearly all believed police use excessive force during arrests and detentions. Doctors frequently treated patients with blunt trauma and handcuff injuries sustained by police officers.
Researchers found that high-risk drivers are less likely to drink and drive if they perceive a probability of being stopped or arrested by law enforcement. The study suggests that public safety education, media efforts, and high-visibility enforcement campaigns can effectively deter drunk driving behavior.
A recent FAS survey found that scientists are hesitant to collaborate with law enforcement agencies due to concerns over misinformation and mistrust. The survey suggests that clearer communication and understanding between the scientific community and law enforcement are essential for improving their working relationship.
The Boston Medical Center has received a $50,000 grant from The Avon Foundation to support the Child Witness to Violence Project (CWVP), which provides trauma-focused counseling and advocacy to children affected by violence. CWVP will use the grant to train police officers to better recognize and respond to child witnesses of violence.
A study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology found that conventional photos of smiling, clean children are less effective at aiding the search for missing kids. The researchers suggest showing both 'clean' and 'dirty' pictures to increase recognition chances.
Researchers found that modern club culture offers a more contained, regulated experience compared to underground raves. The emphasis on dancing and Ecstasy use has survived into the new era, but with increased regulation making it a more publicly acceptable form of partying.
A decade-long study by University at Buffalo researchers investigates the physical and mental health effects of policing, revealing high risks of coronary events, cholesterol levels, pulse rates, and diastolic blood pressure. The study also examines shift work's impact on stress and suicide risk in police officers.
The article explores the concept of transnational crime and its relationship with global governance. Critical criminology provides valuable insights into the role of crime definition and control in shaping the transnational condition, highlighting the need for democratization and the dangers of increased policing powers.
A new police collaboration program has been launched to address job stress among officers, reducing stigma around seeking help. The program trains over 80 commanders and supervisors to recognize warning signs of operational stress.
The Case Western Reserve University collaboration has trained over 80 police supervisors to identify and assist with operational stress among officers. The program aims to break the stigma around job stress, promoting a culture of openness and seeking help.
A study at the University of Leicester investigated methods for improving child and young adult witnesses' evidence, focusing on face recognition. Young adults were found to recognize faces from different ethnicities equally well but struggled to reject unfamiliar faces.
A new study reveals that lap-and-shoulder seat belts perform as well as child safety seats in preventing serious injury, while safety seats are better at reducing less serious injuries. Lap belts are also more effective than riding unrestrained, with a statistically significant reduction in injuries.
Researchers at TGen have found a way to identify possible suspects using small amounts of DNA, even in complex mixes. This breakthrough could help police investigate crimes more effectively and potentially lead to new cost-effective methods for analyzing DNA evidence.
A study by Meharry Medical College found that teen passengers are less likely to buckle up, with only 42% always wearing a seatbelt. The researchers recommend upgrading state laws to require all teens to wear seatbelts, and developing community-based interventions to address the issue.
A study found that no-nose bicycle saddles reduce saddle contact pressure, improve penile tactile sensation, and enhance erectile function in bicycling police officers. The use of no-nose saddles also led to a significant decrease in genital numbness while cycling.
A new study reveals that police and fire officers who give interviews can significantly improve the media's coverage of risk factors and prevention for injuries, accidents, and fires. The study analyzed thousands of hours of local news broadcasts and found that such stories are more likely to include prevention information.
Researchers found that college-age students quickly associate Blacks with apes than Whites, even without stated prejudices. This implicit linkage can impact judgments on African American suspects and defendants.
Researchers found that most crime is committed by a small fraction of criminals, and investing in rehabilitation for these individuals may have prevented some murders. By focusing on high-risk areas, governments can reduce crime and violence with more efficient resource allocation.
A nationwide independent Taser study found that the devices cause a low occurrence of serious injuries, with 99.7% of subjects experiencing mild injuries or none at all. The study, funded by the National Institute of Justice, included six law enforcement agencies and reviewed nearly 1,000 cases.
Research found that dedicated custody nurses improved response times and consultation times compared to doctors. Nurses were able to assess patients quickly, provide holistic care, and refer cases to forensic medical examiners as needed.
LAX police are experimenting with a system developed by USC researchers that uses game theory insights to create unpredictable vehicle security routines. The system, called ARMOR, was created to thwart potential terrorists at the earliest stages of planning.
A new study examines the correlation between race and police force size, finding that white fear of crime and economic threats account for most of the effect. Police forces tend to be larger in areas with more black residents, but this effect levels off as the black population increases.
The Lancet highlights the lack of accountability for medical professionals involved in torture at Guantanamo Bay, despite the Royal College of Physicians' condemnation of force-feeding as a criminal act. Doctors accused of negligence and unethical behavior have yet to face charges or convictions.
New findings from the WTC health registry show that post-traumatic stress disorder affected 12.4% of rescue and recovery workers, with volunteer workers having the highest rate. The prevalence of PTSD varied significantly by occupation, with workers from non-emergency occupations such as construction suffering particularly high rates.
A survey of 25,000 WTC rescue and recovery workers found a 3.6% rate of new asthma, 12 times higher than expected for the adult population. Respirator use was associated with lower rates of newly diagnosed asthma, but not all worker groups showed significant protection.
Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks are working on a way to determine whether marijuana was grown indoors or outdoors by analyzing the stable isotopes of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The method has potential to help police track down growing operations and match seized samples with known locations.
A study found that 38.4% of police officers screened positive for sleep disorders, including OSA, insomnia, and shift work sleep disorder. This high incidence may be linked to chronic sleep loss due to irregular schedules.
Researchers at University of Portsmouth have found that adding cognitive load to interviews can improve police ability to detect deception. The new approach involves asking suspects to tell their stories in reverse order, leading to more non-verbal cues and improved discrimination between truthful and false accounts.
Research shows that police officers outperform community members and students in shoot/no-shoot simulations, with reduced biases against unarmed Black targets. Training improves sensitivity to weapon presence and speed in decision-making.
Preliminary results of Taser exposure on healthy subjects revealed no clinically significant changes in cardiovascular and blood parameters after a single 5-second exposure. The study measured systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate, calcium, sodium, potassium levels and blood pH in 32 subjects.
Studies by University of Missouri-Columbia professors Lilliard Richardson and David J. Houston found that upgrading to primary seatbelt enforcement laws increases belt use and improves public safety considerably. States with primary laws consistently had the highest seatbelt usage rates, while those with secondary laws had the lowest.
Researchers found that police officers who use eye contact are more effective at calming down hysterical citizens. The study analyzed over 35 hours of police-citizen interactions and found that regulating gaze is central to face-to-face interaction in these situations.
A recent study by Daniel Lassiter found that videotaped confessions focusing exclusively on the suspect can lead judges and law enforcement officers to consider the statements as voluntary. This 'camera-perspective bias' affects trial participants' perceptions, potentially influencing wrongful convictions. The research aims to prevent ...