Nonviolent Crimes Research Articles

Lethal attraction: crime as tourism externality- evidence from the Indian states

ABSTRACT Tourism thrives upon the benefits of providing safer and risk-free systems, yet empirical evidence in developing economies still needs to be explored. Our study examines how crime and terrorist activities impact tourist demand in Indian states. We use panel data for 27 Indian states and 2 Union Territories from 1993 to 2022. Our findings confirm the differential impact of violent and non-violent crimes on tourism demand in India. We find that a 10% increase in violent and non-violent crimes leads to a decline in tourist arrival by 5.2% and 1.6%, respectively. Further, the result shows that terror mortality exhibits an inverse relation with tourist inflows, whereas improvements in hotel beds attract tourist inflows. In addition, estimates confirm that more urban expenditures enhance tourist inflows, although the effects remain marginal. Our results are consistent in different econometrics specifications.

Cartoon Crime Fighting Groups: Gender, Accuracy, and Motive

ABSTRACT Previous research on depictions of crime in cartoons has focused on violent crimes and psychopathic offenders. However, much of this research has focused on male crime fighters working alone with virtually no studies examining gender differences in crime fighting strategies or motives for offending. We fill this gap in the literature by examining cartoon crime fighting teams and the role gender plays in criminal depictions. Our results show: the presence of female crime fighters (1) generally produced more realistic portrayals of crime, (2) resulted in a range of nonviolent crime fighting techniques, and (3) produced fewer offenders motivated by power.

What do we know now about evidence-based treatment for psychosis and aggressive behaviour or criminality that we did not know when community care was implemented?

Purpose Community care replaced institutional care for people with psychosis without guidance about what constituted effective treatment. In a Swedish birth cohort, many of those who developed schizophrenia or bipolar disorder as community care was being implemented were subsequently convicted of violent and non-violent crimes. Studies from other countries that were implementing community care at this time also reported elevated proportions of patients acquiring criminal convictions. Since community care was first implemented, much has been learned about factors that promote and treatments that limit aggressive/antisocial behaviour/criminality (AABC) among people with psychosis. Without the benefit of this knowledge, did mental health policy and practices that were in place as the asylums were closed inadvertently contribute to criminality? Material and methods This article provides a narrative review of current evidence of effective treatments and management strategies to reduce AABC among patients with psychosis. Results Reductions in AABC are associated with stable contact with psychiatric services, second-generation antipsychotic medication, clozapine for patients with schizophrenia and elevated levels of hostility and/or a history of childhood conduct disorder, abstinence from substances, avoidance of trauma, and constant monitoring of both illness symptoms and AABC. Conclusions Failure to adopt evidence-based practices allows the problem of AABC to persist, prevents patients from experiencing independent, safe, community tenure, and puts those around them at risk. Many challenges remain, including implementing effective assessment and interventions at first-episode and convincing patients with antisocial attitudes and behaviours to participate in treatment programs to reduce AABC and to learn prosocial behaviours.

Causes of Increasing White-Collar Crime in Different Sectors of Bangladesh and its Impact on Society: A Feasible Reform

White-collar crime is a type of nonviolent crime that typically involves deception or concealment to acquire or protect assets or to achieve a personal or business benefit. It is on the rise in various sectors of Bangladesh due to its challenging identification, the prevalence of upper-class perpetrators, and their complex techniques. The previous laws and regulations were inadequate in addressing the increasing criminal activity and its negative impact on social and State life due to upper-class society's financial and professional dominance. This research paper examines the causes of the increase in white-collar crime in different sectors and its impact on Society in Bangladesh and finds a feasible reform for preventing it. The researcher also tries to provide a legal framework for preventing white-collar crime, especially in various sectors of Bangladesh.

The association between depression and crime outcomes: A Swedish population-based study

BackgroundResearch on the association between depression and crime is limited regarding different types of crime and severity of crime. AimUsing Swedish national register data, we explored the association between depression and various crime outcomes and the severity of crime. MethodsWe identified 72,057 individuals with an outpatient depression diagnosis between 2001 and 2013. Individuals with depression were age-, sex-, and socioeconomic status (SES)-matched to undiagnosed population controls (n = 1,080,855). Logistic regression models estimated odds of any, violent, property, drug-related and non-violent crime, as well as the severity of crime. ResultsIn fully adjusted models, individuals with depression had significantly higher odds of any conviction (adjusted OR [adjOR] 1.66 [95 % CI 1.60–1.71]). This pattern persisted across all crime types (violent, property, drug-related, non-violent), and for crime severity, including increased odds for longer sentences and multiple convictions. ConclusionsIndividuals with depression had an increased risk for convictions across all crime types and more severe crimes. Our results emphasize the importance of early identification of risk factors and targeted treatments, and the necessity for clarification of the underlying mechanisms of our findings.

From Extreme Ideas to Violent and Nonviolent Outcomes: An In-Depth Analysis of Probation Files on Terrorist Suspects in the Netherlands

ABSTRACT How do individuals who commit violent terrorist crimes differ from those who commit nonviolent terrorist crimes? In this study, we compare characteristics and pathways of violent (VTS) and nonviolent (NVTS) individuals prior to being suspected or convicted of crimes with terrorist intent (e.g. planning an attack, financing terrorism) in the Netherlands through an analysis of probation files. Departing from a social control and life-course perspective, we examine possible signs and triggers leading up to the terrorist suspicion, various life domains (socio-demographic characteristics, social network, and personality related variables), mental health, criminal histories, and online activities. Findings demonstrate primarily resemblances between both groups. Nonetheless, compared to NVTS, VTS showed more indications of signs of acting in accordance with extreme ideological beliefs and feelings of injustice, had a more disadvantaged socioeconomic background, were more often involved with other radicals (e.g. in groups and/or online), had more substance abuse problems, and were more active online in relation to their terrorist suspicion. NVTS, on the other hand, had more regularly a turbulent youth, more commonly ever showed indications of aggressive behavior, had more often mental health problems, and, consequently, received more social care compared to VTS. Implications and avenues for future research are discussed.

The burden for clinical services of persons with an intellectual disability or mental disorder convicted of criminal offences: A birth cohort study of 14,605 persons followed to age 64

Background Intellectual disability (ID), schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD), bipolar disorder (BD), substance use disorder (SUD), and other mental disorders (OMDs) are associated with increased risks of criminality relative to sex-matched individuals without these conditions (NOIDMD). To resource psychiatric, addiction, and social services so as to provide effective treatments, further information is needed about the size of sub-groups convicted of crimes, recidivism, timing of offending, antecedents, and correlates. Stigma of persons with mental disorders could potentially be dramatically reduced if violence was prevented. Methods A birth cohort of 14,605 persons was followed to age 64 using data from Swedish national health, criminal, and social registers. Results Percentages of group members convicted of violence differed significantly: males NOIDMD, 7.3%, ID 29.2%, SSD 38.6%, BD 30.7%; SUD 44.0%, and OMD 19.3%; females NOIDMD 0.8%, ID 7.7%, SSD 11.2%, BD 2.4%, SD 17.0%, and OMD 2.1%. Violent recidivism was high. Most violent offenders in the diagnostic groups were also convicted of non-violent crimes. Prior to first diagnosis, convictions (violent or non-violent) had been acquired by over 90% of the male offenders and two-thirds of the female offenders. Physical victimization, adult comorbid SUD, childhood conduct problems, and adolescent substance misuse were each associated with increased risks of offending. Conclusion Sub-groups of cohort members with ID or mental disorders were convicted of violent and non-violent crimes to age 64 suggesting the need for treatment of primary disorders and for antisocial/aggressive behavior. Many patients engaging in violence could be identified at first contact with clinical services.

Social, forensic, and clinical correlates in female observandi referred for non-violent crimes.

Globally, crime is highly masculinised and research into female criminality is scarce. In South Africa, no research specifically investigating the characteristics of female observandi referred for non-violent crimes has been published. The study aimed to describe the socio-demographic, clinical, and forensic correlates in women referred to Sterkfontein Hospital for forensic psychiatric observation following a non-violent criminal charge between 2010 and 2019. It also sought to establish the relationship between the correlates and fitness to stand trial and criminal responsibility, as well as the relationship between the socio-demographic characteristics and the different non-violent criminal charges. Sterkfontein Hospital. A retrospective record review of all cases referred to Sterkfontein Hospital for a single observation over 10 years was conducted. Sixty-five cases were included in the study. Most observandi referred for non-violent crimes were found to be single (84.6%), unemployed (67.7%), reported abuse (55.4%), and had a high prevalence of mental illness (90.8%). Non-adherence to treatment was identified in 59.1% and substance use was identified in 72.2% of the study sample. The most common charge was theft (64.6%). The majority of the sample was found fit and responsible (57%). Bipolar (21%) and Primary Psychotic Disorders (35.7%) were associated with statistically significant outcomes of trial incompetence (p = 0.005) and lack of responsibility (p = 0.028). It is recommended that prospective studies are conducted which include comparisons with male counterparts and females referred for violent crimes. The study identified correlates that should be included in the standard of care in forensic assessments of female observandi.

Is the spatial distribution of urban green space associated with crime in Chicago?

During past decades, much progress has been made to elucidate the relationship between the quantity of urban green space and crimes, but less is known about how their spatial distribution is associated with crimes. Therefore, this study aims to understand how the composition and configuration of urban green space are related to crimes in metropolitan cities in the United States. Our study performed landscape analysis using 756 census tracts for violent crimes and non-violent crimes in Chicago from 2017 to 2021 while controlling socioeconomic status. Spatial lag models showed that tree canopies were negatively associated with crime rates, while grass areas were positively associated with crime rates. In terms of the spatial distribution, there were more crime incidents in irregularly shaped green spaces compared to reguraraly shaped green spaces. On the contrary, disconnected tree canopies were more likely to have lower crime rates. Aggregated (i.e., a single large) also tended to have less crime rates. The results of our study provide some evidence of the role of the spatial distribution of urban green space on crimes and shed light on the ways to reduce crimes through effective urban green space planning

Self-relevance enhances susceptibility to false memory.

Eyewitness testimony serves as important evidence in the legal system. Eyewitnesses of a crime can be either the victims themselves-for whom the experience is highly self-referential-or can be bystanders who witness and thus encode the crime in relation to others. There is a gap in past research investigating whether processing information in relation to oneself versus others would later impact people's suggestibility to misleading information. In two experiments (Ns=68 and 122) with Dutch and Chinese samples, we assessed whether self-reference of a crime event (i.e., victim vs. bystander) affected their susceptibility to false memory creation. Using a misinformation procedure, we photoshopped half of the participants' photographs into a crime slideshow so that they saw themselves as victims of a nonviolent crime, while others watched the slideshow as mock bystander witnesses. In both experiments, participants displayed a self-enhanced suggestibility effect: Participants who viewed themselves as victims created more false memories after receiving misinformation than those who witnessed the same crime as bystanders. These findings suggest that self-reference might constitute a hitherto new risk factor in the formation of false memories when evaluating eyewitness memory reports.

Criminality at Shopping Malls: A South African Perspective

A sharp rise in crimes at shopping malls in KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces around the country has prompted shopping mall owners to keep shopping malls safe. Some of the crimes that shopping malls experience include armed robberies, common robberies, parking lot crimes (theft from motor vehicles), assaults, store holdups, shoplifting and property crimes. Shoppers and retailers at malls are concerned about their safety. Criminals commit crimes for numerous reasons, and the situations are always different. The purpose of this article was to assess the crime risks at these malls so that the malls can be made safe, secure and a pleasant environment for all. The Criminal Opportunity Theory served as the basis for this study. A qualitative case study design was used in this study. One-on-one interviews, observation and criminal case docket analysis were used to collect data. Nine shopping malls, 30 criminal case dockets and 30 participants were purposively sampled, based on specific criteria. The collected data were thematically analysed and interpreted. It was found that there was a great need for both violent and nonviolent crimes to be reduced at shopping malls. The study showed that security measures should be enhanced to deter potential criminals and mitigate the risk of criminal activities.

A Bayesian Analysis of a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Intervention for High-Risk People on Probation.

This analysis employs a Bayesian framework to estimate the impact of a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) intervention on the recidivism of high-risk people under community supervision. The study relies on the reanalysis of experimental datal using a Bayesian logistic regression model. In doing so, new estimates of programmatic impact were produced using weakly informative Cauchy priors and the Hamiltonian Monte Carlo method. The Bayesian analysis indicated that CBT reduced the prevalence of new charges for total, non-violent, property, and drug crimes. However, the effectiveness of the CBT program varied meaningfully depending on the participant's age. The probability of the successful reduction of drug offenses was high only for younger individuals (<26years old), while there was an impact on property offenses only for older individuals (>26years old). In general, the probability of the successful reduction of new charges was higher for the older group of people on probation. Generally, this study demonstrates that Bayesian analysis can complement the more commonplace Null Hypothesis Significance Test (NHST) analysis in experimental research by providing practically useful probability information. Additionally, the specific findings of the reestimation support the principles of risk-needs responsivity and risk-stratified community supervision and align with related findings, though important differences emerge. In this case, the Bayesian estimations suggest that the effect of the intervention may vary for different types of crime depending on the age of the participants. This is informative for the development of evidence-based correctional policy and effective community supervision programming.

NON-VIOLENT CRIME VICTIMS’ PERCEPTIONS OF POLICE BEHAVIOR, LEGITIMACY, AND ITS INFLUENCE ON COOPERATION WITH POLICE OFFICERS IN ANGELES CITY

This research explores the perceptions of trust, legitimacy, and cooperation with the police among victims of non-violent crimes in Angeles City, Philippines. Grounded in Tylers theoretical framework and Procedural Justice Theory, the study examines how these factors influence non-violent crime victims willingness to cooperate with law enforcement. It assesses how victims views of police response relate to their perception of police legitimacy. The research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing descriptive surveys and correlation analysis. A referral sampling method is used to access reluctant participants. Data is collected through a survey checklist questionnaire with Likert scale items. Statistical tools, including mean, percentage, standard deviation, variance, and Pearsons correlation coefficient, aid in data analysis. This study sheds light on the dynamics between crime victims, police behaviour, and perceptions of legitimacy, informing policy decisions in the realm of law enforcement. This research delves into public perceptions of procedural justice and its impact on trust and cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Findings reveal a prevalent negative perception of procedural justice among the general population, significantly diminishing trust in authorities and fostering a sense of inadequate respect for individual rights within the justice system. The study uncovers mixed feelings about cooperating with the police, indicating a prevailing reluctance to engage actively. Moreover, the research highlights the importance of aligning law enforcement agencies moral values with those of the community to enhance perceptions of legitimacy. Policymakers are urged to devise comprehensive strategies to improve police performance and bolster public trust, considering diverse societal and cultural dynamics. The study emphasizes the need for further research to unravel the complexity of public perceptions and enhance community-police relations, ultimately fostering a more just and equitable society. KEYWORDS: Trust, Legitimacy, Cooperation, Perceptions, Non-violent crimes

Türkiye’de Ekonomik Suçların Dinamikleri ve Belirleyicileri

The economics of crime deals with two issues: (i) the economic cost of the crime, and (ii) the economic motivations behind the crime that is committed by individuals. In this context, crime is distinguished by whether it has an economic characteristic or not. Economic crimes can be defined as non-violent crimes committed to gain profit, benefit, or social status. Understanding the dynamics of crime is crucial for policy-making to minimize the economic and social costs to society. In the last decade, the total amount of crime has been increasing continuously in Türkiye. The economic crimes accounted for approximately 60 % of total crimes until 2012. In the later years, the rate of other crimes (particularly, assault, threat, and traffic crimes) in total crimes have surpassed economic crimes, nonetheless, the number of economic crimes has also been increasing gradually and peaked in 2018. Moreover, economic crimes show regional differences in Türkiye, and revealing these disparities may provide useful insights to policymakers. Therefore, the examination of the dynamics of economic crimes at the regional level and its relationship with economic variables in Türkiye seems to be timely and important. We collect a broad economic crime data of 26 sub-regions for the 2006-2020 period. We first analyze the regional differences in property and fraud by utilizing the mapping method. We also tried to reveal the link between income, unemployment, and education level with property and fraud with dynamic panel methodology and revealed that variables have different effects on different economic crimes.

Would you let this guy into a bar? Identifying cues that signal a perceived increase in the propensity for violence of potential bar patrons

Abstract Objectives Bars, pubs, and clubs are hotspots for alcohol-related aggression. Consequently, admittance decisions made by security personnel have important implications for the safety inside these venues. However, the cues used by security personnel to determine the potential for intoxicated violence and inform admittance decisions vary substantially. Methods Here, we manipulate theoretically and practically relevant cues to determine the effects of their utilization on perceptions of violence and admittance decisions. Participants viewed images of real inmates convicted of violent or non-violent crimes, accompanied by cues derived from interviews with security staff. Results We found that body tenseness, drug and alcohol intoxication, searching behavior, avoidant behavior, and neck and face tattoos were positively associated with a greater perceived likelihood of violence. Admittance decisions mirrored these findings. Students and security personnel differed in their utilization of some of the cues. Conclusions To our knowledge, the current research was the first to take a quantitative approach to understanding the cues that security personnel and young adults might use to identify potentially violent patrons. These finding may help inform training for security personnel.

On the Abolition of the Death Penalty for Drug Offences in China

The Criminal Law Amendment (VIII) Act and the Criminal Law Amendment (IX) Act abolished the death penalty for many non-violent crimes, in line with the provisions of our Constitution on “respecting and safeguarding human rights” and in line with the international trend towards abolition of the death penalty. However, unlike many of the non-violent crimes that have been abolished, drug offences, which are also non-violent crimes, remain on the list of capital punishment. Over the past two decades, many academic and judicial leaders have worked towards the abolition of the death penalty for drug offences. However, due to the myth of the deterrent effect of the death penalty for drug offences and the heavy-handedness of the traditional drug management system, the goal of abolishing drug offences has never been achieved. The author argues that the death penalty for drug offences, as a non-violent crime, should not be treated as the most serious crime in criminal law and should be abolished. The aim of this article is to discuss the author’s ideas and rationale for the abolition of the death penalty for drug offences and to suggest some possible measures or ways to abolish the death penalty for drug offences.

Psychiatric diagnoses and criminal convictions in youth: A population-based study of comorbidities of diagnoses

BackgroundPsychiatric diagnoses are important risk factors for criminal convictions, but few longitudinal studies have examined comorbidity patterns in relation to youth criminal convictions. AimTo explore associations between specific psychiatric diagnoses (substance use disorder (SUD), ADHD, depression, PTSD, intellectual disabilities (ID), and autism spectrum disorders (ASD)) and comorbidities of internalizing, externalizing, or neurodevelopmental diagnoses (NDD) in relation to risk of non-violent or violent criminal convictions in youth, including potential sex differences. MethodsData on 1,411,538 individuals born in Sweden (1985–1998) were obtained from national population-based registers. Exposure was psychiatric diagnoses and outcome was criminal convictions between ages 15 and 20. Results17% of individuals had a psychiatric diagnosis, of whom 20% were convicted of a crime. All diagnoses, except ID and ASD, increased the risk of non-violent and violent crimes. Comorbidities of externalizing and internalizing diagnoses heightened the risk compared to single diagnoses. NDD increased the risk among SUD, depression, and PTSD, while NDD comorbid with another NDD decreased the risk for criminal convictions. ConclusionOf the three comorbidity categories, externalizing disorders heightened risk the most, followed by internalizing disorders. This study highlights specific risk patterns for criminal convictions related to comorbidities, and to crime type and sex.

Looking more criminal: It's not so black and white.

Prior research regarding the influence of face structure on character judgments and first impressions reveals that bias for certain face-types is ubiquitous, but these studies primarily used decontextualized White faces for stimuli. Given the disadvantages Black men face in the legal system, this study aimed to investigate whether the criminal face-type presented in the context of crime influenced different legal system-type judgments as a function of perpetrator race. In a mixed-model design, participants saw Black and White computer-generated faces that varied in criminality presented with either violent or nonviolent crime scenarios. At test, participants attempted to identify the original perpetrator from a photo array, along with providing penalty severity judgments for the crime committed. Results indicate that when crimes were violent, participants meted harsher penalties overall to Black faces or to high-criminality faces identified as the perpetrator. Furthermore, for violent crimes, participants were more likely to select a face from the photo array that was higher/equally as high in criminality rating relative to the actual perpetrator when memory failed or when the perpetrator was Black. Overall, the findings suggest that when people are making judgments that could influence another's livelihood, they may rely heavily on facial cues to criminality and the nature of the crime; and this is especially the case for Black faces presented in the context of violent crime. The pattern of results provides further support for the pervasive stereotype of Black men as criminal, even in our racially diverse sample wherein 36% identified as Black.

The Assange Case: Transnational Prosecution of Investigative Journalism

This paper highlights the need to reintroduce the political offence exception to extradition in cases of non-violent crime into UK domestic law and beyond. The article examines the recent developments in the case of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with an emphasis on the judicial outcomes in the extradition proceedings before UK courts in matters relevant to freedom of the press. The case makes for an interesting subject because it concerns both objectively a political crime as well as arguably political persecution. The question of extradition is being played out between two closely allied countries which converge in applying their secrecy laws in an increasingly expansive manner crucially encroaching upon standard practices of national security investigative journalism. The article concludes that an introduction of the public interest or affirmative defence and the testimony of purpose into secrecy laws are essential in democratic societies. It further concludes that the evisceration of a political offence exception to extradition in non-violent crimes is a regrettable trend that should be reversed. Said exception is the single most powerful tool in extradition regulation serving to prevent political persecution and it is essential for protecting national security investigative journalists from extradition in cases such as that of Assange.

Rethinking Heavy Penalties and Misdemeanors for Drug Crimes in China—Discussing the Legislative History and Status of Drug Crimes

Felonism in drug crimes has been a long-standing problem in Chinese legislation and judicial practice, with historical and even political factors involved. China’s drug legislation has undergone a process from the last century to the present, from scratch to maturity, but it should still be noted that felonism on drug crimes is still a serious and urgent problem today. As a non-violent crime, the current penalties for drug crimes do not match their social harms, and the heavy-handedness of drug crimes can hardly reduce the occurrence of drug crimes. To treat drug crimes, the future can start from restricting, or even abolishing, the death penalty, attaching importance to life imprisonment without commutation or parole, and focusing on the application of property penalties, and treating drug crimes as a comprehensive misdemeanor in order to conform to the principle of matching crime with punishment.