Crime Prevention Research Articles

Empirical and Experimental Insights into Data Mining Techniques for Crime Prediction: A Comprehensive Survey

This survey paper presents a comprehensive analysis of crime prediction methodologies, exploring the various techniques and technologies utilized in this area. The paper covers the statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, and deep learning techniques employed to analyze crime data, while also examining their effectiveness and limitations. We propose a methodological taxonomy that classifies crime prediction algorithms into specific techniques. This taxonomy is structured into four tiers, including methodology category, methodology sub-category, methodology techniques, and methodology sub-techniques. Empirical and experimental evaluations are provided to rank the different techniques. The empirical evaluation assesses the crime prediction techniques based on three criteria, while the experimental evaluation ranks the algorithms that employ the same sub-technique, the different sub-techniques that employ the same technique, the different techniques that employ the same methodology sub-category, the different methodology sub-categories within the same category, and the different methodology categories. The combination of methodological taxonomy, empirical evaluations, and experimental comparisons allows for a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of crime prediction algorithms, aiding researchers in making informed decisions. Finally, the paper provides a glimpse into the future of crime prediction techniques, highlighting potential advancements and opportunities for further research in this field.

Design Framework for VR Games in the Police Domain

The escalation in the number of conflicts poses various implications and consequences to society, demanding a comprehensive understanding from a law enforcement perspective. The surge in conflicts introduces significant challenges related to public safety, necessitating adaptive strategies for both conflict and crime prevention and resolution. Accordingly, effective policing must adapt to the evolving dynamics, employing a nuanced approach that addresses the root causes of conflicts and enhances community resilience to avoid or mitigate them and their broader societal impact. A pivotal role is this direction is played by the ongoing technological advancements that facilitate actions like enhancement of situational awareness, analyzing patterns and anticipating potential hotspots and activities, facts that sustain both proactive and reactive measures. In particular, technological advancements in Virtual Reality (VR) present a valuable avenue for addressing policing challenges, especially in relation to conflict resolution, mitigation, and prevention. Building VR simulations for training purposes offers a controlled yet realistic environment for officers to practice e.g., de-escalation strategies and decision-making under stress. These gaming simulations provide a platform to expose officers to diverse scenarios, fostering adaptability, encouraging communication and collaboration, and enhancing their ability to properly handle conflicts with precision and self-control. At the same time, VR systems can be developed for societal awareness and educational purposes, fostering better understanding and communication between law enforcement and the public. While a broad range of governmental, practitioner, and academic efforts exist aiming at building and incorporating VR solutions for various purposes in the police domain, specific areas that involve other societal forces and bystanders need more attention. It is then the aim of this article to capture existing design and evaluation principles as well as lessons learned from existing VR solutions in the police domain. This is done by proposing a design framework for responsible VR gaming solutions in the police domain following the Design Science Research methodology in a transdisciplinary approach.

Hope Is Here! Spiritual Practices for Pursuing Justice and Beloved Community by Luther E Smith

<i>Hope Is Here! Spiritual Practices for Pursuing Justice and Beloved Community</i> by Luther E Smith

Influence Policing: Domestic Digital Influence Campaigns and Algorithmic Strategic Communications in UK Law Enforcement and Homeland Security

Abstract This paper conceptualizes an emerging model of algorithmic policing; ‘influence policing’. This harnesses the affordances of Internet platforms to conduct domestic digital influence campaigns for crime prevention. These campaigns use sophisticated targeted messaging to directly ‘nudge’ behaviour and shape the culture of specific groups. By targeting people using micro-level behavioural, personal-interest and location-based data, influence campaigns aim to employ insights from behavioural psychology to prevent crime at a distance. We theorize this with an analysis of a dataset of more than 12,000 adverts and in-depth fieldwork with a dedicated police strategic communications team. Influence policing provides law enforcement with new capacities to craft and manicure hidden digital encounters with targeted publics, raising questions about its democratic character and police accountability.

Predictive Policing: The Role of AI in Crime Prevention

Predictive Policing: The Role of AI in Crime Prevention

Advancing justice: The impact of Brazil’s convict genetic profile identification project after 5 years

This comprehensive study analyzed the implementation and impacts of the Convict Genetic Profile Identification Project in Brazil. By examining semiannual reports from the Integrated Network of DNA Databases (RIBPG) alongside a literature review covering the period from January 2018 to February 2024, the study evaluated the project’s relevance. The project’s primary aim was to enhance DNA databases, thereby fortifying crime prevention and resolution efforts. Notably, the results revealed a substantial increase in genetic profiles of convicted offenders included into the Brazilian National DNA Database (from 2,008 in 2017 to 54,657 in 2019) − a development that aligns with legislative goals. Despite legal and ethical debates, the project demonstrated a positive impact on criminal investigations, with a notable rise in database matches (from 376 in 2017 to 1,418 in 2019). Scientific literature had highlighted the project’s effectiveness in resolving crimes. The project has matured into a well-established process, characterized by continuous insertions and advancements, emphasizing a comprehensive operational framework. Beyond quantitative milestones, it has made qualitative contributions to justice. This collaborative model serves as an example for impactful public policies under Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

Prevention of crime (criminal offenses) in the field of security activities

Prevention of crime (criminal offenses) in the field of security activities

Examining use of telehealth in jails: linking women to community OUD services

BackgroundOpioid use disorder (OUD) remains a significant health care need for women, particularly those involved in the criminal legal system (CLS). There are no studies to date that focus on the utilization of telehealth as a platform for assessment and linkage to medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) at community re-entry for women, despite the fact that women have unique risk factors that may contribute to opioid relapse in the community. The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to provide an overview of the innovative use of telehealth for linking incarcerated women to community MOUD treatment in the Kentucky-hub of the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN).MethodsThis study incorporates qualitative and quantitative data collection with MOUD providers, recovery staff involved in peer navigation services, and women who are incarcerated to understand perceptions of the use of telehealth prior to jail release as a linkage to community services.ResultsFindings from this study suggest overall support for the use of telehealth between community MOUD treatment providers and women who are incarcerated using videoconferencing technology. On average, there was very little variation in provider favorable feedback related to clinical engagement or in face-to-face comparability, as well as how telehealth allowed the participant to discuss personal and sensitive issues during the clinical assessment.ConclusionsStudy findings suggest benefits associated with the use of telehealth in increasing access to treatment for women with OUD. Jails are critical venues for telehealth interventions because they provide the opportunity to reach women who have been actively using illicit substances, often have advanced-stage substance use disorders which have compromised their health and mental health, and often have not been previously identified as needing treatment.Trial registration: This study was originally registered on 8/23/19, ClinicalTrials.gov, #NCT04069624.

Earth Rights for the Advancement of a Planetary Health Agenda.

This article discusses Earth's Rights as an environmental justice mechanism of reparation, protection, and justice for indigenous communities, environmental defenders, and other populations in Latin America. We argue that Earth's rights encompass and include the right to health and can be integrated into international human rights frameworks to protect all forms of life, responding to colonial legacies of discrimination and violence. We respond to the scarcity of literature discussing Earth's rights in relation to situations where human rights and Earth's rights are violated. We ground our argument in the theoretical conceptualization of Latin American proposals of Earth's rights and its potential for actionable policy approaches that include human health as inevitably interconnected to our planet's well-being. We address the environmental injustices that affect the right to health and argue that an Earth's rights framework can support reparations for historically marginalized communities.

When failure is the option: Unravelling sexual assault outcomes

We investigate the concept of “criminal failure” in sexual crimes and the relevance of various theoretical frameworks for its understanding: individual offender's rational choice, environmental influences and routine activities, victimological characteristics from lifestyle theory, and crime interaction factors. We examined a sample of 1121 “failed” cases (i.e., attempted but not completed) and 1500 “successful” cases (i.e., completed) of sexual assault that occurred in France between 1990 and 2018. We used 32 predictors that mapped on the four theoretical frameworks and conducted bivariate followed by multivariate analyses. Multiple theoretical frameworks are relevant to understand criminal failure, which is a product of perpetrator, environmental, victimological, and interactional factors. Two distinct patterns are specifically associated with failure: lack of preparation and lack of social skills. In addition, failure was best understood not as a unitary concept, but as multifactorial by distinguishing between different types of failure, specifically: offender intentionally released the victim before completion, victim escaped or third party rescue. Finally, patterns of failure were different in sexual crimes against children compared to those against adults. Criminology should pay closer attention to failure in crime. This understudied area can yield important theoretical knowledge and practical implications regarding the prevention of sexual crimes.

COMMUNITY POLICING AND CRIME PREVENTION IN NIGERIA

Community policing has emerged as a promising strategy for crime prevention and enhancing public safety around the world and in Nigeria. This is due to the difficult task of conventional policing, especially where the community is not actively involved in crime prevention. It has been realized that safety in any given community requires an investment not only of money, but also time and talent, and that sometimes the best solutions are found in understanding the underlying causes of crime and disorder. Nigeria is one of the countries in the world that has embraced the idea of community policing with great enthusiasm for about two decades ago. Consequently, Nigeria, has introduced several policy measures with the main aim of encouraging the community to take up some responsibility for their safety and security of their environment. Drawing on empirical research and case studies, this paper examines the key principles, approaches and challenges of implementing community policing initiatives, to highlight the significance and impact of collaboration between local communities and law enforcement agencies on crime prevention, trust-building and social cohesion in Nigerian communities. The paper also emphasizes the importance of capacity building, sustainable funding, and institutional support in strengthening the effectiveness of community policing in Nigeria.

Criminal Law Policy against ‘Pratima’ Theft: Perspective of Balinese Customary Criminal Law

Law enforcement of the crime of Pratima theft in Bali does not provide a sense of justice for traditional law communities as victims. In response to this, it is necessary to construct law enforcement for the crime of Pratima theft to achieve a sense of justice, benefit, and legal certainty for the Balinese customary law community. This research method is sociological law (sociological jurisprudence), emphasizing the study of the operation of law in traditional law communities in Bali. The object of the study is the legal facts related to the crime of Pratima theft. Based on the research results, it was found that law enforcement prioritized legal certainty rather than social justice itself. The Balinese traditional law community desires fair and beneficial law enforcement. The provisions on the principle of legality in deciding pratima theft cases in Bali do not prevent the application of laws that exist in society. Judges should also apply customary criminal sanctions, thereby demonstrating that criminal law policies protect customary law communities. In imposing sanctions, the panel of judges is expected to be guided by the harmony of law enforcement objectives, based on local wisdom. The application of the Tri Hita Karana concept as local wisdom in customary criminal sanctions shows that criminal law policy provides a sense of justice and protects customary law communities as victims, and restores harmony in the lives of Balinese customary law communities.

The Influence of Weather Temperature on Crime Occurrence in Babylon Province

Objectives: This study investigates the influence of temperature fluctuation on specific types of crimes in Babylon in Iraq. It also analyzes how varying temperatures leave an impact on crime patterns and trajectories. Methods: The study uses quantitative analysis, descriptive statistics, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to examine temperature and crime data. Statistical techniques, including correlation and regression analysis, are applied to assess the relationships between temperature variables and crime rates. Results: The study results showed that there is a strong affinity between temperatures and crime rates. Murder crimes reach their peak in hot summer months. The study also showed that theft crimes, including burglary, increase during cold winter months. Statistical analysis validates these findings, highlighting a direct correlation between temperature and murder rates and an inverse correlation with theft rates. Conclusions: This study confirms the huge impact of temperature fluctuation on criminal behavior in Babylon, Iraq. Recognizing these seasonal variations may help construct effective crime prevention strategies. Additionally, the study explores multiple theoretical perspectives, underlining the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary approach to comprehensively grasp the intricate relationship between climate and crime.

Protective Factors Associated With Lower Likelihood of Injection Drug Use and Experiencing Overdose Among Incarcerated Women

PurposePrior studies evaluated protective factors individually as they relate to fewer drug use risk behaviors and related consequences. This is the first study to examine protective factors as part of a multilevel framework along a risk continuum among women involved in the criminal legal system who use drugs. This study describes factors within the socio-ecological framework that are protective against engaging in injection drug use and experiencing nonfatal overdose. MethodData were collected from 900 women with a history of opioid use disorder who were incarcerated and enrolled in the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse–funded Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network cooperative. Analysis focused on the relationship among individual, interpersonal, and community- or institutional-level protective factors associated with not injecting drugs and not experiencing an overdose in the 90 days before incarceration using multinomial logistic regression. FindingsFindings from this study suggest that, even among a sample of women who use drugs, there are a number of factors associated with being less likely to report higher-risk injection behavior and/or overdose experiences at the individual level (age, religiosity, and less polysubstance use), interpersonal level (not having a partner who injects drugs), and community or institutional level (fewer months incarcerated, less treatment utilization, and less enacted stigma by health care workers). ConclusionsFindings from this study underscore the importance of being able to target prevention interventions to women at different stages of substance use severity and to capitalize on protective factors for those at lower-risk levels to reduce the trajectory of risk to injection practices and overdose experiences.

Towards a research ethics of real-world experimentation with emerging technology

Testing emerging technologies, such as autonomous vehicles, predictive crime analytics, and smart city interventions under real-world conditions is an important strategy for robust and responsible technology development. However, the moral responsibilities of researchers towards the public when conducting such real-world experiments are often left unaddressed and unregulated. This article argues that there are problematic inconsistencies in research ethics demands and protections across different categories of research and development with emerging digital technologies. This differential treatment is problematic since there are no meaningful differences to justify it, and it creates the possibility of regulatory evasion at the cost of populations’ due protection. Hence, I argue that this differential treatment should be amended by harmonizing research ethics demands. In doing so, this paper contributes to several ongoing scholarly debates on the limits of current research ethics guidelines and protocols in the face of novel technologies and research formats.

Some issues of improving the activities of the National Police of Ukraine and local self-government bodies regarding law enforcement at the local level under martial law

The publication highlights the issues of improving the organisation of the work of community police officers and district police inspectors in preventing and combating crime in the territory of service. The importance of implementing security audits of territories and buildings into the activities of community police officers and district police inspectors is proved. Security audits are the main tool that community police officers or district police inspectors can use to identify local security problems specific to a particular area or facilities, identify ways to address relevant risks and threats, and engage all stakeholders in working together to improve their own and others’ safety. The essence of the concept of “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED)” and its impact on the formation of a proper state of the security environment at the local level of the community is revealed. It is emphasised that the CPTED principles are universal and can be applied to improve the security of any territory or facility. At the same time, their effectiveness largely depends on the completeness of the identification of security risks and threats. The article suggests the following areas for improvement of the regulatory and legal support for the activities of community police officers: 1) adoption of a separate regulatory legal act on the activities of district police officers, taking into account the peculiarities of police work in the city; 2) approval of instructions on the procedure for carrying out control and supervision activities in the service area. This regulatory act should provide for the forms of such files, the procedure for their completion, registration, verification and control; 3) inclusion of individual cases on security audits of the territory or individual buildings or facilities in the official records of a community police officer. Relevant security audit forms should be officially approved; 4) adoption of methodological recommendations for organising security audits and applying the principles of CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) in professional activities.

CPTED사업을 위한 솔라표지병 설치기준에 관한 연구

This study aims to establish installation standards for solar road studs, which are frequently utilized by law enforcement and municipal authorities as part of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design initiatives. In the wake of the Gangnam Station incident, there has been a significant increase in societal concern regarding women's safety, leading to greater attention on solar road studs as a means to enhance pedestrian safety in poorly lit alleyways. Solar road studs are devices that store solar energy during the day and emit light at night, offering benefits such as low maintenance costs and environmental sustainability. This research, using the case of Daejeon City, assesses the psychological impact of the color and spacing of solar road studs on the perceived safety of participants. The findings reveal that green solar road studs installed at 4-meter intervals provide the highest sense of security among participants. Although white solar road studs may also be effective in low-light conditions, their combination with street lighting may reduce visibility, necessitating careful consideration. Based on these findings, this study proposes optimal installation standards for solar road studs to maximize their effectiveness in crime prevention. It specifically recommends the use of green solar road studs at 4-meter intervals as the most effective configuration. The study aims to clarify installation guidelines to enhance the crime prevention potential of solar road studs, thereby offering practical insights for practitioners in the field.

A TIPIFICAÇÃO PENAL DOS CRIMES CIBERNÉTICOS NO DIREITO BRASILEIRO

This article, a descriptive and qualitative bibliographic research, based on authors such as Delgado (2017), Prado (2019), Souza and Ramalho (2022) among others, aims to discuss the way in which the Brazilian legal system has acted in the prevention and classification of cyber crimes. The work was structured in topics which correspond to its specific objectives as follows: bringing concepts of crime and criminal offenses and the way in which they are configured in Brazilian law; elucidate what would be a cyber crime and what are the requirements for its configuration; argue about the three dimensional theory of law (fact, value and norm) to justify governmental actions that lead to the classification of cyber crime. The conclusion reached was that Brazilian Criminal Law has been adapting to new situations and social facts that give rise to a legal response in defense of society.

The trifecta against financial crime: A collaborative analysis of the roles of banks, consulting firms, and governments

The roles of banks, consulting firms and governments are intertwined in combating financial crime. Banks are on the frontlines as they process financial transactions and engage directly with customers. Banks are extraordinarily strategic because they interface with customers and are heavily involved in handling financial transactions worldwide. They watch accounts for any suspicious activity and report such activities to the legal bodies as expected under AML regulations. Consulting firms help banks, as well as other financial organizations to create various tools for evaluating threats and devising strategies for firms to conform to. They also do training in the area of financial crime prevention. Governments put in place measures in the form of legislation that seeks to prevent and curtail acts such as money laundering, financing of terrorism and tax evasion among others. Materials and Methods: The study’s literature was obtained from electronic databases. Only the articles that investigated the effectiveness and efficiency of anti-money laundering/counter-terrorist financing policies and regulations and/or sources that compared financial institutions’ cooperation with consulting companies and governmental agencies were included. Among the reviewed sources 53 from 1980 till 2023, which included academic books, journal articles, government and international organization reports. Results: The literature shows that relying on the regulation is inadequate for controlling finance related crimes. Banks have a profit-driven culture and it lacks scrupulousness towards integrity risks. For the same purpose, prescriptive regulations increase disproportionate compliance costs for small jurisdictions and financial institutions. Companies seeking risk management services get these from consulting firms that also profit from molding compliance frameworks. Syndication enables the employment of unique features possessed by each party. While the banks have an effective network and reach, the consulting firms can analyze data accurately, and the government has statutory power and control. Discussion: Shifting social norms are another driver: peoples’ behavior in financial markets today is a shift from that of even a decade ago and there is a need to address financial crime in a shared manner and increase cooperation at a global level. To put measures in place, the roles and responsibilities should be well defined based on strengths of each of the entities. Banks are also in good shape for transaction monitoring although they need some regulation to do so. Analyzing the motives for consulting firms, it is possible to state that the provision of technical solutions is possible only if there are factors that guarantee the transparency of actions. Governments provided the blueprint in achieving the proportionate, risk adjusted policies while leaving it to the private sector to drive the processes. This is because we have seen that financial globalization means that nations have to ideally move in synchrony. International agencies such as the UN, FATF, FSB, IMF and others have contributed to the development of international standards, whereas in national situations, the effects vary from one country to another. Conclusion: It can therefore be seen that no single entity can deal with such complicated concepts of transnational financial crimes in isolation. The utilization of the mandated strategies by banks, consulting companies and governments as essential collaborators in tandem with their core competencies is the most useful approach. This triumvirate, therefore, has great potential to add real value to anti-financial crime efficiency when properly aligned and adequately supervised in a manner consistently and holistically operationalized.

Combating terrorist financing in cryptocurrency platforms: The role of AI and machine learning

This study addresses the critical issue of terrorist financing through cryptocurrency platforms, a growing concern due to digital currencies' pseudonymous nature and global reach. The research explores the strategic role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in identifying, preventing, and disrupting the flow of illicit funds used to finance terrorism. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates qualitative case studies of documented instances of cryptocurrency-based terrorist financing with quantitative data analysis from significant cryptocurrency exchanges. Advanced AI and ML algorithms, including supervised learning models such as decision trees and neural networks, were applied to detect suspicious transactions indicative of terrorist activities. The findings reveal that AI and ML technologies significantly enhance the ability to identify patterns of terrorist financing within large and complex datasets, with models achieving precision and recall rates exceeding 90%. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding the quality and standardization of data across platforms, algorithmic biases, and the need for continuous updates to counter evolving tactics used by terrorist organizations. The study concludes that AI and ML present powerful tools for enhancing financial security. However, their successful implementation requires overcoming these challenges through collaborative efforts among stakeholders, including financial institutions, regulators, and technology providers. This research contributes to the growing field of economic crime prevention by offering a robust framework for integrating AI-driven solutions into the fight against terrorist financing on cryptocurrency platforms.