Articles tagged with Police
UBC researchers created a new classification system to help police solve sex crimes, identifying subtypes of high-risk sexual offenders. The tool can predict characteristics of offenders and behavior before a crime takes place.
A recent editorial highlights the need for reform in mental health services, citing a lack of accurate diagnoses and inadequate treatment. The system is becoming unsustainable, with only the most disturbed cases being admitted to psychiatric wards.
A new study from the University of Cambridge found that body-worn cameras are associated with a significant reduction in citizen complaints against police, with 93% fewer complaints filed after camera implementation. The 'observer effect' is believed to be a key factor, modifying behavior and increasing accountability.
A recent study published in Computers in Human Behavior found that over two-thirds of rumors shared during Operation Brother's Keeper were true, and that journalists and emergency personnel played a significant role in spreading them. The research proposes specific lessons for first responders, including actively searching for rumors a...
A study reviewed 20 research papers on deception in groups, revealing that collective interviews are used in only a third of investigations. This highlights the need for new methods to detect deception, as individualized interviews can be manipulated by suspects with prepared scripts.
A new study suggests that squatters can have a positive impact on neighborhoods. Residents often welcome responsible squatters to occupy abandoned homes, as it helps maintain the property and reduces crime. In urban areas with population decline, squatters can help bring about improved neighborhood conditions.
A study led by a Michigan State University criminologist reveals that female forensic scientists face higher stress levels than males, with 78% reporting mid to high levels of job stress. Despite overall job satisfaction, scientists who testified more often in court and worked longer hours were happier with their jobs.
A study by Michigan State University found that online pimps are thriving, using underground websites and social media to avoid detection. They reported an average annual income of $75,000, with many making over $100,000, highlighting the challenges of policing online prostitution.
A study using brain scans of musician Sting found unexpected connections between seemingly disparate songs, including Beatles' "Girl" and Piazzolla's "Libertango". The research employed novel techniques to analyze brain activity patterns, revealing rich representations of desired soundscapes in great musicianship.
Researchers find that current laws protecting individual rights are insufficient to protect privacy when it comes to MSVTs, and the First Amendment likely protects livestreaming activities of users. The study advocates for less legal restraint on recording and live-streaming public matters, but also calls for wisdom in controlling harm...
A Queensland University of Technology study reveals that parents play a significant role in shaping their children's behavior behind the wheel. Parents who actively encourage their young drivers to obey road rules are more effective at enforcing restrictions than traditional policing.
A study by Michigan State University criminologist Jeremy Wilson found that public safety consolidation can work well for some communities but isn't the best solution for others. Consolidation efforts generally encountered difficulties in larger and more diverse communities, while success varied widely among different models and methods.
A nationwide study of over 18,000 crime victims found that reporting initial experiences to police reduces the likelihood of future victimization. The researchers suggest increased awareness and services for victims after reporting contribute to this effect.
A study published in Injury Prevention found that official statistics on road traffic injuries in India are likely to be unreliable. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists are underrepresented while vehicle occupants are overrepresented. Researchers urge policy makers to steer clear of government stats until the problem is fixed.
New research highlights how police line-ups can lead to wrongful identifications if distinguishing features are not properly disguised. A study by the University of Warwick found that fair line-ups, which hide or manipulate distinctive marks, outperform unfair ones in distinguishing between innocent and guilty suspects.
Research suggests that witnesses are more willing to identify a suspect when they view a lineup in which the suspect alone has a distinguishing feature. However, this can also lead to confusion between actual guilty suspects and innocent suspects with similar features, impairing their ability to make accurate identifications.
A study analyzing 762 gun recoveries found that nearly 80% of perpetrators carrying a gun were not the lawful owners, indicating significant theft and trafficking issues in the region. The study also found that more than 30% of recovered guns were reported stolen before recovery, with women being underrepresented as victims.
According to research published in Injury Prevention, black Americans were more likely to be stopped and arrested than whites, yet no more likely to be injured or killed. The study found that excess death rates among blacks and youth reflect exposure to excessive police force.
A recent study by Indiana University found that fusion center violations of individuals' privacy rights are the exception rather than the rule. Fusion centers are taking steps to safeguard privacy, including following federal regulations and establishing checks and balances.
A University of Washington study suggests that racially based fear plays a role in public support for policing reforms. Participants who viewed police officers as threatening were more likely to support reformed policing practices, while those who saw black men as threatening were less supportive.
A new mobile application called WithShare facilitates collaborative activities by allowing users to request and participate in shared experiences. By streamlining interactions and emphasizing reciprocal roles, the app aims to overcome limitations of traditional timebanking and promote coproduction relationships.
Researchers found that pre-assessment of moral free riders can stabilize costly moral systems and promote cooperation. This approach considers a pool account where individuals can contribute in advance, allowing for more efficient detection of those unwilling to pay for justice.
Research by VU Amsterdam found that witnesses interviewed together made fewer errors than those interviewed separately, contradicting previous studies on witness contamination. The study showed that effective communication styles among witnesses led to better recall of information.
Researchers analyzed online records of 196 pro-ISIS groups, finding they adapted and extended their longevity by adapting to shutdowns and inspiring lone wolves. By tracking these 'aggregates,' cyber police and law enforcement can monitor buildup and transitions before real-world attacks.
Agneta Mallén's study reveals how citizen journalism can perpetuate cyberbullying through the sharing of low-quality videos that are perceived as truth. The researcher found that even when video clips are later debunked, the damage is already done and the person is subjected to virtual punishment.
A year-long experiment in Peterborough found that targeting crime hot spots with extra PCSO patrols can prevent 86 assaults and save thousands in prison costs. The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Criminology, suggests a five-to-one return on investment for every £10 spent on targeted foot patrols.
Research published in Frontiers in Psychology found that people who witnessed a crime can identify criminals through their distinctive scent. Human nose-witnesses were able to correctly identify perpetrators in almost 70% of cases, showing promise for forensic applications.
A new study found that police officers who work day shifts perform better in interactions with the public, while those working night shifts are more likely to have encounters escalate into violence. The research suggests that better fatigue management could improve officers' ability to manage encounters effectively.
The Black Lives Matter movement's online language shows a strong ability to bond over time, with nearly a third of new participants continuing their engagement. A study analyzing over 29 million tweets found a notable shift in tone on Twitter before protests, from negative words about death and anger to posts about family and friends.
A survey of nearly 500 large US cities reveals no standard approach to preserving peace and quiet. Decibel levels are used in 55% of ordinances, while nuisance standards prevail in 85%, often relying on subjective interpretation.
New research reveals that body-worn cameras associated with an increase in assault against police officers when they choose to turn them on and off during their shift. This finding contrasts with current thinking that cameras should reduce the rate of use-of-force, but rather found it increased when officer discretion was used.
A new study reveals that police recruits and experienced officers are more likely to subscribe to colorblind racial beliefs, which can lead to problematic interactions with racial minorities. The research highlights the need for training programs that address police racial attitudes and social identities.
A new study by Michigan State University examines how successful US police departments clear more homicides. Departments that achieve this goal work closely with the community, adopt modern investigative tools, and employ a team approach to investigations.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers found that three-strikes laws increase fatal and non-fatal assaults on officers by 33% and 62%, respectively. In contrast, permit-to-purchase handgun laws appear to protect law enforcement officers against handgun assaults, with Missouri's repeal associated with...
University of Washington researchers found that official Twitter accounts can correct misinformation and slow the spread of rumors, using cases involving alleged police raids in Australia and a WestJet flight hijacking. The study suggests empowering social media managers to respond quickly to crises with verified information.
A University of Michigan study found that personality traits, such as being introverted or extroverted, affect how people interpret language in emails. Introverts are more likely to judge others harshly for grammatical errors, while extroverts tend to be more lenient.
A Michigan State University study found that protesters in Ferguson believed police perceive black people as suspects before considering them as civilians. The research aimed to investigate racial typification and its impact on police-community relations.
A new report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission reveals hundreds of non-natural deaths in detention, with a lack of specialist mental health services and oversight contributing to the problem. The report calls for improvements in police custody, prisons, and psychiatric hospitals to address these concerns.
A recent study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that official counts of police homicides are significantly undercounted, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) providing more accurate data compared to two other national systems.
According to Matthew Logan, PhD, a retired police officer and psychologist, a small percentage of violent incidents involving the police dominate headlines. The article argues for greater public airing of the police perspective to provide a more balanced understanding of violence.
Research identifies distinct geographical patterns of fatal unintentional firearm injuries in seven Appalachian states with lax child access laws. Five Western coastal states show high rates of 'legal intervention' deaths due to police actions or officer fatalities.
A recent study by University of Warwick researcher Mirko Draca found that higher-priced items are more likely to be stolen. The analysis of monthly data over a 10-year period reveals a strong relationship between price and crime, with a 10% increase in prices associated with a 3.5% increase in crime.
A new study found that Taser shocks can impair cognitive functioning, including memory and processing information. The research suggests that suspects may not be able to waive their Miranda rights after being Tased, leading to questions about the timing of police interrogations.
A study published by SAGE in Human Relations found that diversity in the boardroom is key to advancing LGBT-inclusive policies. Firms with a higher percentage of women on the board are more likely to adopt a broad range of LGBT-friendly policies and practices.
A new IT system uses mathematical algorithms to predict crime patterns and optimize police patrols. This breakthrough aims to reduce crime rates and save human resources, strengthening crime prevention over suppression.
Civilians injured by law enforcement officers have longer hospital stays and more injuries compared to those who were treated for altercations with other civilians. These findings are based on 10 years of Illinois hospitalization data.
Researchers found that dieters ate 39% more cookies after seeing a negative message about sugary snacks compared to those who saw a positive message. Dieters who saw a two-sided message chose 47% fewer unhealthy snacks than those who saw a negative message.
A new report from Duke University's Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security recommends expanding community policing efforts to prevent violent extremism. The report finds that building trust with Muslim-Americans has become especially challenging due to widespread discrimination and harassment since 9/11.
A new study finds that eyewitness confidence is a strong indicator of identification accuracy, contradicting earlier lab studies. High-confidence identifications are more likely to be correct, while low-confidence ones are more likely to be incorrect.
A Saint Louis University researcher proposes concrete steps to stem police shootings of black males, citing high homicide rates and racial biases in policing. Implementing body cameras, community review boards, and addressing prejudice are key recommendations.
The study, conducted in Sunshine County, surveyed leadership positions on their attitudes toward body-worn cameras. Most departments were neutral or supportive of the cameras' use, with concerns over privacy issues and public disclosure.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health proposes that law enforcement-related deaths be treated as a 'notifiable condition' and reported to the CDC. The authors found that blacks face significantly greater risk of being killed by police than whites, with some cities experiencing rates up to 19 times higher.
A public health approach to counting US law-enforcement-related deaths could provide real-time data needed to understand and prevent police violence. By making these deaths a reportable health condition, public health departments can track trends and inform policy changes.
A new report analyzes factors driving public trust in policing, finding that respectful treatment and transparent decision making are key to building cooperation. The study highlights the importance of procedural justice in fostering perceptions of police legitimacy.
A study by researchers at Newcastle University found that images of watching eyes on litter reduced the odds of littering by around two thirds. The study showed that people are less likely to behave in an anti-social manner when they feel being watched, and this effect is only present when there are no other people nearby.
A new article by Amitai Etzioni argues that US freedom of navigation operations (FONAs) can be overly aggressive and escalate into dangerous clashes with nations. FONAs operate on a limited budget and are often used as a fallback option after diplomatic efforts fail.
Pedestrian wheelchair users in the US are more than a third likely to die in road traffic collisions. Men's risk is 5 times higher than women's, particularly among 50- to 64-year-olds. Inadequate pedestrian facilities and driver failure contribute to these risks.
A recent report highlights the health risks associated with Taser use, particularly against mentally ill patients. The device has been linked to eye injuries, seizures, and even death, prompting a review of police use of force.
A University of Alberta study found that homeless people who felt disrespected during police interactions retained negative attitudes towards police for at least two years. The study suggests teaching empathic listening and communication skills to police can improve interactions with the homeless population.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that negative publicity surrounding police actions can reduce officers' motivation to perform their duties, but does not decrease their willingness to engage in community partnerships. Fair treatment and confidence in authority can counteract these effects.