Crime-commission Process Research Articles

Online Data Theft and ZeuS Dropzones

It is apparent the increasing prevalence of botnets - networks of compromised computers on the internet - has contributed to a large portion of online crimes since 2005. Under the control of cybercriminals, these networks serve as proxies in the crime commission process and act as an amplifier of criminal activity. These instruments of automation are frequently used for illicit activities by a range of actors from novice criminals aiming to make a quick dollar to highly organised cybercrime gangs. (This article is cross-posted on the October 2013 issue of the VFAC Review.)

Decision Making in the Crime Commission Process

Based on a rational choice approach, this study compares the decision making involved in the crime commission process of rapists ( n = 30), child molesters ( n = 17), and victim-crossover sex offenders ( n = 22). Using a mixed-methods framework and following Clarke and Cornish’s decision-making model, the authors organized offenders’ narratives collected during semistructured interviews into three major areas: (a) offense planning (i.e., premeditation of the crime, estimation of risk of apprehension by the offender, and forensic awareness of the offender); (b) offense strategies (i.e., use of a weapon, use of restraints, use of a vehicle, and level of force used; and (c) aftermath (i.e., event leading to the end of crime and victim release site location choice). Results emphasize the important role of situational factors and age of the victim on the decision-making process of serial sex offenders. Moreover, results show that because of particular choice-structuring properties, the decision making varies across different groups of serial sex offenders.

Getting into the Script of Adult Child Sex Offenders and Mapping out Situational Prevention Measures

The current study describes and examines the crime-commission process followed in child sex offending. There are two major aims in this study. The first aim is to propose a script model in child sex offending. The second aim is to show the relevance of completing crime scripts to identify situational crime prevention measures. One of the weaknesses in the current crime script literature is the absence of proposed prevention measures. Besides Cornish, only Clarke and Newman have used crime scripts for its main purpose, which is to offer a way to develop situational crime prevention techniques. In this study, situational prevention measures are mapped onto the crime-commission process in child sex offending.

Crime Script Analysis of Drug Manufacturing In Clandestine Laboratories: Implications for Prevention

Despite the growing problem of clandestine drug laboratories, there is currently little evidence of systematic knowledge regarding the crime-commission process involved in this criminal enterprise. In addition, as mentioned by Levi and Maguire, strategic measures utilized in law enforcement interventions that extend beyond immediate operational goals towards a lasting reduction in organized forms of crime are also lacking. The purpose of this study is to better understand the crime-commission process of clandestine drug laboratories and identify significant points for intervention by using crime scripts. This objective is achieved through a qualitative content analysis of 25 court cases in which a crime script comprising seven stages is identified. Potential prevention measures are also underpinned and summarized according to the problem analysis triangle. It is concluded that a focus on location, chemicals and equipment might have the most detrimental effect on the overall manufacturing script process.

‘Drive it like you Stole it’

In line with recent interest in the criminal decision-making process, researchers have begun exploringthe risks and rewards that offenders attach to specific forms of crime and how these perceptionsguide their behaviour. In this paper, we examine the strategies that auto thieves use to avoid policedetection while driving a stolen vehicle. To do this, we rely on semi-structured interviews with 54auto thieves. Results indicate that auto thieves manage encounters with police by creating an illu-sion of normalcy. Auto thieves make decisions throughout the crime-commission process that allowsthem to present an image of a normal driver in a normal vehicle to deflect attention away fromthemselves and the stolen vehicle. These strategies allow them to hide in the open and still maintainthe crime’s rewards. Discussion focuses on restrictive deterrence and wider implications for arrestavoidance in decision-making research.