Articles tagged with Police
New research reveals that the US crime rate declined dramatically in the 1990s, falling 40% across cities and states. Policing improvements, including increased workforce and aggressive tactics, are credited as key factors in this unexpected drop.
A new study published in PLoS ONE found that men arrested for buying sex from prostitutes are less likely to continue their prostitution activity. The research suggests that simply arresting and prosecuting clients may be enough of a deterrent, making additional interventions unnecessary.
Michigan State University researchers Kristie Macrakis and Ryan Sweeder have successfully recreated the chemical formula for invisible ink used by East Germany's Stasi. The team, which includes undergraduate students, developed a chemistry lab dubbed the 'Spy Lab' to teach students about catalysis and other scientific concepts.
A study reveals that marijuana arrests shifted from rich areas to poor black and Hispanic neighborhoods in NYC between 1992 and 2003. The authors suggest issuing desk appearance tickets or asking smokers to stop instead of arresting individuals.
A new study found significant racial disparities in seatbelt use among black and white motorists, with blacks less likely to wear seatbelts in states with secondary seatbelt laws. The study suggests that upgrading these laws to primary laws could eliminate the disparity and reduce motor vehicle crash-related injuries and deaths.
Emergency departments are struggling with high rates of pursuit-related fatalities, particularly among African Americans and Native Americans. The 2004 influenza vaccine shortage also exacerbated issues, especially for patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions and those without insurance coverage.
A UK study found that victims of rape, especially children, face wide differences in forensic and medical services between Specialized Rape Crisis Assessment Centres (SARCs) and non-SARC facilities. The lack of experienced doctors willing to provide holistic care is a major issue.
A study by Penn State researchers found that stricter law enforcement policies have led to an increase in girls' arrests for assault, not a rise in violence. Despite this, other national sources of information on youth violence show little overall change in girls' levels of aggression over the past two decades.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used a network of interconnected pendulums to demonstrate that introducing disorder can lead to order and synchronization in chaotic systems. The findings have potential applications in understanding neuronal activity and may help explain previously unexplained observations.
The new system enables rapid communication among law enforcement agencies and first responders, facilitating responses to crises such as manhunts and natural disasters. With the implementation of this system, authorized officers can communicate with each other across jurisdictions, enhancing public safety and response times.
Research by Professor John Clarke found that public service users and providers view services as distinct from market-based transactions, prioritizing personal relationships over choice. Users seek skilled, trustworthy staff and reliable assistance during critical life events.
Contrary to police reports, which attribute rising crime rates to increased surveillance and policing efforts, research shows a significant decrease in violent crime episodes in the US and a 36% fall in British violent crime since 1995. Hospital emergency data support these findings, revealing a decline in non-self-inflicted injuries.
Researchers at NIST are working on 'intelligent' building systems that provide real-time data to firefighters and police, enhancing their response to emergencies. These systems will send information such as floor plans and sensor data directly to dispatchers, enabling more accurate assessments and mitigation of emergencies.
Researchers found that a friendly-but-firm police presence, combined with preventing known troublemakers from travelling, led to an almost incident-free tournament. The study's 'low profile' tactics are credited with fostering peace among fans and reducing hooliganism.
False confessions are a significant issue in law enforcement, with various factors contributing to their occurrence. Research suggests that mandatory videotaping of police interviews and interrogations could help reduce these cases by providing an objective record of the proceedings.
A review published in Psychological Science in the Public Interest suggests that videotaping interrogations can curb false confessions. The authors propose that all interviews and interrogations should be recorded in their entirety to accurately assess confessions.
A recent study found that African-American and Latino youth are more likely to perceive the criminal justice system as unjust, with perceptions increasing as integration levels increase. However, schools with higher proportions of white students show a decrease in perceptions of injustice.
NIST's special test arena is used to train bomb and drug sniffing dogs as well as robotic rescue systems. The arenas provide a challenging environment for dogs to find hidden explosives or narcotics, while robotics experts observe police techniques.
A computer simulation study found that police officers can eliminate racial bias when trained using the program. After extensive exposure, officers became more accurate in their decisions to fire at suspects of either race due to improved weapon detection. The findings have implications for eliminating racial biases and training police...
Researchers found that training designed to eliminate racial biases in police interactions can be effective in reducing biased reactions. The study used a simulation to test the impact of different approaches on officer behavior, and the results suggest that such training could lead to improved outcomes for all parties involved.
A pilot study by Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory researchers gathers baseline information on subway workers’ exposure to airborne metals. The study aims to determine if the elevated metal levels pose a health concern for transit workers.
A large multicenter study will record injuries from non-lethal weapons like Tasers and bean bags, with a focus on documenting the severity of these injuries. The study, led by Wake Forest Baptist, aims to rate the safety of less-lethal weapons for the first time.
A K-State engineering professor studied rural highway crashes in Kansas, finding four key factors that consistently contribute to fatalities: driving under the influence, speeding, not using a seat belt, and being ejected from the vehicle. The study's findings have practical implications for introducing a primary seat belt law and emph...
Researchers at UH Cullen College of Engineering are developing advanced features for
Researchers at Ohio State University conducted experiments showing that white Americans are more likely to misidentify tools as guns when shown a picture of an African American before seeing the tool or gun. In contrast, they were less likely to make this mistake when shown a picture of a white person. The study suggests that unconscio...
A study by Professor Simon Holdaway found that chief officers and black police association Chairs have different ideas on 'institutional racism', with a focus on personal experiences of racism. Most minority ethnic officers agree their constabulary is institutionally racist, but the causes and effects differ between groups.
A study found that nearly 8 out of 10 establishments sold alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons, with younger servers more likely to serve. The study suggests increasing enforcement, comprehensive training, and permitting dram-shop liability lawsuits could reduce such incidents.
Case Western Reserve University and US military combat stress experts are training Cleveland police supervisors to recognize stress in their ranks and address operational stress. The training aims to reduce the potential for violent confrontations with suspects or life-altering mistakes.
A new robotic device called RAFFE has been developed by scientists from the University of Toronto and the University of Calgary to safely collect fingerprint evidence from suspicious packages. The device uses heat and fumes to react with oils in fingerprints, turning them white, allowing for photographing before safe disposal.
A study of police officers in Australia found that they rate the accuracy of a profile more when they think it was written by a professional profiler, regardless of its actual content. The researchers suggest that this bias can lead to false positives and undermine the effectiveness of profiling.
A study conducted by NC State University researchers found that while there is no systemic racial profiling by the North Carolina Highway Patrol, individual troopers and patrol patterns contribute to disparities in traffic citations. The study suggests that factors such as accident rates, demographic composition, and driving behavior p...
The use of DNA fingerprinting in criminal cases is a growing concern due to its potential for misidentification. In New York City, the DNA itself will be charged with an offense, ignoring the statute of limitations and raising questions about fairness and accuracy.
A study by K. Michael Cummings found that retailer compliance with laws prohibiting tobacco sales to minors more than doubled, from 35% in 1994 to 73% in 1995. However, the difference in smoking behavior between high and low compliance communities was small and not statistically significant.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that black college students were more likely to be 'shot' by police officers in a virtual reality simulation, even when holding harmless objects. The researchers used the Implicit Association Test to measure unconscious racial biases and stress levels.
Researchers found no evidence that homicide detectives spend less time on cases involving African-American victims. The study, published in the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, examined 802 murders in Columbus, Ohio between 1984-1992.
A recent study by Stanford researchers found that receiving traffic tickets reduces drivers' risk of dying in crashes by 35 percent. The study analyzed public records of Ontario drivers involved in fatal crashes between 1988 and 1998, revealing a significant protective effect of traffic enforcement.
A Lehigh University professor has developed a system that combines images from optical and millimeter-wave cameras to detect concealed weapons, which could save security guards seconds in the search process. The technology uses wireless communication links and has potential applications for law enforcement and military use.
A new study documents domestic violence by race and income in Rhode Island, finding that black women are overrepresented among victims reported to police. The researchers suggest that socioeconomic factors and racial positioning contribute to this disparity, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems.
A new theory proposes Chaco Canyon's powerful political system kept other Pueblo peoples under its thumb from 1000 to 1125. The city's elite ruled a region containing tens of thousands of people, with influence stretching hundreds of miles.
A study by Ohio State University found that minorities are more likely to question police during traffic stops, with black men reporting a 35% higher rate of stops than white men. The study also found significant differences in how black and white drivers perceive their treatment by police.
A recent study examined three independent databases to develop a comprehensive picture of the occupational hazards faced by EMS workers. The findings reveal that EMS personnel are exposed to various risks, including ambulance crashes, assaults, and exposure to infectious diseases.
A study published in The Lancet found that rubber bullets can cause severe and penetrating injuries, including fatalities. Experts recommend limiting the use of rubber bullets to lower limbs and increasing firing ranges to prevent serious injuries.
Researchers found that Hispanics are increasingly targeted due to language barriers and stereotyping. The team developed educational materials, including a photographic storybook and videos, to educate people about ways to reduce crime victimization.
A study of 741 police officers found that those who experienced intense fear, horror, or helplessness during traumatic incidents had a higher risk of developing PTSD symptoms. Insomnia was also prevalent among the officers, with nearly half suffering from sleep disturbances typical of insomnia clinics.
A study found that gasoline additives like MTBE can interfere with older breath-alcohol analyzers, but not newer models. This raises concerns about the accuracy of breath tests for people exposed to high levels of MTBE, such as workers in the gas station industry.
Researchers Levitt and Porter studied fatal two-car crashes to determine the percentage of people estimated to be driving drunk. Their findings show that drivers who had been drinking were seven times more likely to cause a fatal crash than sober drivers.
A University of Toronto study found that women sexually assaulted by their husbands are more likely to inform police sooner than those sexually abused by boyfriends or acquaintances. The study also found that victims of spousal sexual abuse are more likely to seek treatment and consent to forensic evidence collection.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published a guide for law enforcement officers to investigate electronic crimes. This guide aims to provide investigators with an overview of the types of electronic evidence that may be available at crime scenes, including devices ranging from large computers to pagers.
Research suggests that targeted policing strategies can be effective in preventing assaults and injuries by increasing deterrence through education and punishment. The study also highlights the importance of specific, visible police work and increasing certainty of punishment.
The 2002 OlympiYeda science competition brings together students from the US, Canada, England, and Australia to explore advanced police investigative techniques. Students will analyze forensics, DNA, and other disciplines to solve real-world cases.
Criminal warfare and terrorism require a similar response to traditional armies, with patient police work and no decisive victories. Mueller argues that the US must adopt different strategies outside of traditional military tactics.
A study found that law enforcement officers encourage the public to use gun locks to make stored guns less dangerous, but they don't seem to like using the locks themselves. Only half of the officers who received free keyed cable gun locks accepted them, and two-thirds of those who did later reported not using the locks.
Torture is pervasive in Nepal, with severe physical, social, and psychosocial consequences for survivors. The Centre for Victims of Torture, Nepal, implements treatment programmes for victims, but international interest is needed to encourage change.
A study of Southern law enforcement agents found that 44% store their loaded guns unlocked at home. Agents with children are more likely to use safer storage practices. The findings highlight the need for better firearm safety devices and emergency response measures for officers.
A recent study by Dr. Tamera Coyne-Beasley found that 59% of surveyed law enforcement officers stored firearms unlocked, while 68% kept their guns loaded. The researchers called for mandatory safety training and stricter firearm storage laws to address the issue.
A UCSF study of 1219 women found that 44.3% opposed mandatory reporting of domestic violence, with those who were young, non-white, and non-English speakers more likely to oppose it. The study suggests policy makers consider developing IPV reporting policies that balance patient autonomy with protection from abuse.
The SMART software automates many of a robot's movements while retaining operator control, making police robots quicker and safer. It enables the rapid assembly of off-the-shelf equipment into a working system, overcoming obstacles to system stability in unstructured environments.
A step-by-step treatment approach called brief eclectic psychotherapy (BEP) significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in Dutch police officers. BEP incorporated various techniques, including imaginary reliving and farewell rituals, which helped officers regain control of their lives.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed miniature robots that can bounce, climb stairs and explore buildings. The robots can gather information via radio links and be deployed in groups to provide diverse perspectives on a situation.
A leading forensic toxicologist suggests that cocaine abuse may be behind some deaths in custody, rather than police brutality. The expert's neurochemical test detects a unique brain signature associated with excited delirium (ED), which can cause sudden death due to cardiac arrest.