Violent Crime Research Articles

The Joker’s Shifting Face: Eighty Years of Mad History in Batman and American Culture

That “grim jester with a twisted brain,” Batman supervillain the Joker reflects shifting social constructions of mental difference in the US across eight decades. The article reads Batman serial comics, graphic novels, and film against four key moments in Mad History: eugenics, psychiatric survivor activism in the 1960s and 1970s, the trauma discourses of 1980s popular culture, and the criminalization of mental difference in the twenty-first century. Out of this complex conversation four models of madness are derived: toxic reproduction, liberation, mad genius, and the conflation of madness with violent crime. These models work intersectionally: Joker’s madness, queerness, and exceptionally white masculinity engender each other. Because of his distinctive qualities as a visual icon, he makes Mad History more visible, too.

Role of Media Representation in Shaping Public Perceptions of Crime in Tanzania

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the role of media representation in shaping public perceptions of crime in Tanzania. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Media representation plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions of crime in Tanzania by influencing how crime is perceived and understood by the general population. Sensationalized reporting and frequent coverage of violent crimes create a heightened sense of fear and insecurity, often leading to a distorted view of the prevalence and nature of crime. This can result in public demand for stricter law enforcement and punitive measures, sometimes disproportionately affecting certain communities. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Research on the role of media representation in shaping public perceptions of crime in Tanzania highlights several key points. Media coverage often emphasizes sensational or high-profile crimes, which can inflate public fear and skew perceptions of crime rates. Sensationalism and biased reporting contribute to distorted views, reinforcing stereotypes and increasing public anxiety. This media influence also affects policy and law enforcement responses, as crime coverage can shift political priorities and lead to reactive measures. Social media exacerbates these effects by spreading unverified information rapidly, adding to public concern.

Hormones, autonomic nervous system activity, and criminal behavior

ABSTRACT Evidence that hormones and autonomic nervous system activity exert a joint influence on antisocial behavior suggests that they may work together to explain risk for criminal behavior. Thus, the current study explored the interactive effects of hormones (testosterone, cortisol) and ANS activity (heart rate, skin conductance) on impulsive and violent criminal behavior in a large sample of university students (n = 495). Initial analyses found positive direct associations between impulsive and violent crime and both testosterone and cortisol and a negative direct association between heart rate reactivity and impulsive and violent crime. Subsequent analyses revealed a statistically significant interaction between testosterone and heart rate in association with impulsive and violent criminal behavior. The positive association between testosterone and crime became statistically significant at −.29 standard deviations below the mean (HR = 76.44) and grew stronger as heart rate decreased from this point. The interaction between testosterone and heart rate remains statistically significant after the inclusion of controls for constructs that feature prominently in contemporary criminological theories. Other interactions between hormones and ANS activity were present but were not consistent across alternative model specifications.

Understanding the relationship between intergenerational mobility and community violence

Violence is a key mechanism in the reproduction of community disadvantage. The existing evidence indicates that violence in a community impacts the intergenerational mobility of its residents. The current study explores the possibility of a reverse relationship. This study provisionally tests the hypothesis that depressed intergenerational mobility in a community may also spark subsequent community violence. We deploy a county measure of intergenerational mobility captured during early adulthood for a cohort of youth born between 1980 and 1986 and raised in low-income families [R. Chetty, N. Hendren, Quart. J. Econom. 133, 1163-1228 (2018)]. We model the relationship between county mobility scores and two county-level outcomes: violent crime and homicide. We find that a county's level of intergenerational mobility as measured by the Chetty-Hendren data is a major predictor of its rate of violent crime and homicide in 2008, when the youth in Chetty's mobility cohort were young adults (the same age the mobility measure was captured). In fact, mobility is a significantly stronger and more consistent predictor of community violent crime and homicide rates than more commonly used factors like poverty, inequality, unemployment, and law enforcement presence.

Characteristic features of robberies against residential property committed by organised groups in rural areas

The relevance of the subject under study lies in the fact that under martial law, the problem of robberies against citizens’ homes is exacerbated, specifically, their danger increases due to the greater probability of members of an organised criminal group having firearms than in peacetime. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of robberies against residential premises in rural areas committed by organised groups, to establish the factors which influence the choice of the victim of a future attack by the perpetrators, and to identify preventive measures to reduce the commission of such crimes. To address these issues, the study employed a set of methods of scientific cognition: systemic-structural, comparative, statistical, and systemic. The study found that a characteristic feature of such attacks is that they are committed by a group consisting mainly of fellow villagers with internally stable, long-term, trusting relationships, with a willingness to systematically commit violent crimes against individuals. They are characterised by a hierarchy and preparation for robberies in rural areas. It was established that during preparation for a robbery, to obtain the necessary information, offenders often study the routes of the village, find out information about its inhabitants, and select a victim. They can even speak directly to the potential victim and/or their neighbours. Therefore, interviewing villagers during the investigation of such a criminal offence is a significant step in identifying the perpetrators. The study identified factors that influence the commission of robberies in rural areas (presence of valuable property of the victim; remoteness of their residence, absence of neighbours; planned power outages, physically vulnerable person, etc.). To commit attacks on people’s homes in rural areas, attackers choose several villages in relatively familiar areas, which may be located in one region or in another region with which they border. It was noted that this complicates the work of law enforcement agencies in investigating this type of crime. The practical value of this study lies in the consideration by law enforcement officers of the theoretical results of this study regarding the impact on the choice of victims by criminals and the established characteristics inherent in such robberies

LEGAL PROTECTION COUNSELING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN LAU GUMBA VILLAGE

The crime of domestic violence (KDRT) is a complex and multifaceted crime. The problem of domestic violence itself is actually a problem that often occurs in married life, but some people do not consider what they experience as a wrong act in the eyes of the law. Therefore, the public needs to be given an understanding of domestic violence, so that if domestic violence occurs or experiences, the victim can take legal steps. This outreach activity in the community is motivated by phenomena that occur in the community. The method used is a participatory method which is expected to play an active role in legal education activities in the form of; (1) Socialization in legal education regarding Law Number 23 of 2004 concerning Domestic Violence; (2) Question and answer session about domestic violence.

Gender-Specific Pathways in Violent Crime: Investigating the Role of Demographic and Mental Health Factors Using Mixed Graphical Models and Bayesian Networks.

This research aims to uncover gender-specific relationships and pathways that contribute to the perpetration of violent crimes, using sophisticated analytical tools to analyze the complex interactions between various factors. Employing Mixed Graphical Models and Bayesian networks, the study analyzes a sample of 1,254 prisoners (61.64% males and 38.36% females) to investigate the relationships among demographic factors, mental health issues, and violent crime. The study utilizes comprehensive measures, including the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, to assess participants' mental health status.Key findings reveal significant gender differences in the pathways to violent crime. For males, incomplete parental marriages strongly correlate with criminal behavior severity, while marriage status emerges as a significant factor, with married males less likely to commit violent crimes. In contrast, these relationships are not significant for females. Bayesian network analysis indicates that living in urban areas differently influences education and emotional expression across genders, emphasizing the importance of contextual factors. The study highlights the need for gender-specific considerations in criminal justice policies and interventions. It underscores the complex interplay of demographic and mental health factors in influencing violent crime pathways, providing insights for developing more effective prevention strategies. Despite its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data, the research significantly contributes to understanding the gendered dimensions of criminal behavior.

Neighborhood Racial Composition and Unequal Exposure to Violent Crime in Everyday Contexts.

Exposure to violence is a critical aspect of contemporary racial inequality in the United States. While extensive research has examined variations in violent crime rates across neighborhoods, less attention has been given to understanding individuals' everyday exposure to violent crimes. This study investigates patterns of exposure to violent crimes among neighborhood residents using cell phone mobility data and violent crime reports from Chicago. The analysis reveals a positive association between the proportion of Black residents in a neighborhood and the level of exposure to violent crimes experienced by residents. Controlling for a neighborhood's level of residential disadvantage and other neighborhood characteristics did not substantially diminish the relationship between racial composition and exposure to violent crimes in everyday life. Even after controlling for violence within residents' neighborhoods, individuals residing in Black neighborhoods continue to experience significantly higher levels of violence in their day-to-day contexts compared to those living in White neighborhoods. This suggests that racial segregation in everyday exposures, rather than residential segregation, plays a central role in racial inequality in exposure to violence. Additionally, the analysis suggests that neighborhoods with more Hispanic and Asian residents are exposed to less and more violent crime, respectively, compared to neighborhoods with more White residents. However, this is only observed when not adjusting for the volume of visits points of interest receive; otherwise, the finding is reversed. This study offers valuable insights into potentially novel sources of racial disparities in exposure to violent crimes in everyday contexts, highlighting the need for further investigation.

Unpacking the Effects of Founding State Regulations and Violent Crimes on Bank Geographic Expansion

Unpacking the Effects of Founding State Regulations and Violent Crimes on Bank Geographic Expansion

Exploring the role unemployment plays in perpetrating violent crimes, particularly murder in South Africa

Exploring the role unemployment plays in perpetrating violent crimes, particularly murder in South Africa

The Effects of a Large-Scale Mental Health Reform: Evidence from Brazil

This paper studies the Brazilian Psychiatric Reform, which reorganized the public mental health care provision by introducing mental health centers (CAPS) as a community-based substitute for inpatient care. Our research design exploits the rollout of CAPS in a difference-in-differences framework. We show that these centers increased outpatient mental health care production and reduced psychiatric hospitalizations. These reductions were more pronounced for long-stay admissions and among patients with schizophrenia. We find that the savings implied by fewer admissions do not offset the cost of the policy. Also, the reform did not reduce mental health mortality and it increased violent crimes. (JEL H51, I12, I18, O15)

Study on cases from national courts and international tribunals related to gender-based violence in armed conflict

Gender-based violence in armed conflicts is on the rise, destroying the lives of victims, their families, and even communities. Investigating and prosecuting such crimes is not only a step towards justice, but also a powerful tool to prevent analogous cases in the future. The purpose of this study was to research the practice of investigating crimes related to sexual or gender-based violence by national courts and international tribunals. The study analysed the judicial practice of national courts and international tribunals, investigated the relevant scientific literature, and made a comparative analysis of the specific features of national and international legal proceedings. The study identified a series of common challenges faced by national courts and international tribunals in investigating gender-based violence in armed conflict: collecting evidence in dangerous and difficult conditions, and its short-lived existence; ensuring the safety of victims and witnesses, who are often particularly vulnerable, and maintaining their confidentiality when necessary; overcoming stigma and discrimination that prevent victims from seeking help; and proving that violence was committed in armed conflict against civilians or prisoners of war. It was noted that when investigating crimes related to gender-based violence, courts should apply a gender-sensitive approach that considers the specifics of crimes related to this type of violence and its impact on victims. The study proved that a prerequisite for effective investigation of crimes of this category is cooperation at the national and international levels. The findings of the study can contribute to improving the quality of investigations into crimes of sexual or gender-based violence in armed conflict, as well as serve as a basis for developing programmes aimed at preventing these crimes

Immigration and Crime: Is the Relationship Nonlinear?

Abstract Research finds that immigration and crime are not related across neighbourhoods, contrary to social disorganization theory and consistent with the immigration revitalization thesis. This research, however, is largely silent as to any possible nonlinear effects. Yet social theory offers sound reasons for why the immigration–crime association may be nonlinear; explanations, including immigrant/ethnic enclave theory and immigrant victimization theory, underscore potential concentration effects—albeit in different ways. Using a novel dataset with information on crime in over 15,000 neighbourhoods across a diverse range of US cities, we examine whether or not the immigration–crime association is nonlinear. We find that for both violent and property crime, a nonlinear relationship best captures the relationship. In additional analyses, we determine the theoretical perspective with which the findings are most consistent.

Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Korban Kekerasan Seksual dalam Rangka Mewujudkan Keadilan Restorative Justice

Legal protection is very important and affects justice for all Indonesian citizens. According to the viewpoint of the concept of restorative justice, handling crimes that occur is not only the responsibility of the state but also the responsibility of the community. Therefore, the concept of restorative justice is built based on the notion that crimes that have caused losses must be recovered, both losses suffered by the victim and losses borne by the community. Various sensitive issues afflict the lives of women, including crimes of sexual violence (sexual violence) and sexual harassment (sexual harassment). Women are very vulnerable to becoming victims of crime in the field of decency. The efforts of legal protection agencies or advocacy institutions in creating good law enforcement really need supporting factors in order to create such legal protection properly and effectively.

A Comparison of Severely Injured Patients after Suicide Attempts and Violent Crimes-A Retrospective Study of a Level 1 Trauma Center.

Seriously injured persons with pre-existing psychiatric conditions or those injured due to violent crimes represent a particularly vulnerable treatment group. All patients with injuries from suicidal attempts (PSAs) or patients with injuries from violent offenses (PVOs) that presented to the university emergency room of a Level 1 trauma center in Germany between 1 January 2017 and 31 November 2022 were retrospectively investigated. It can be seen that PVOs were significantly younger compared to PSAs (p = 0.03). Total hospital stay was significantly longer for PSAs compared to PVOs (p < 0.001). PSAs were also significantly more severely injured than PVOs (p < 0.001). Our study was able to show a significant difference between both patient groups in the region of injury (p < 0.001). PSAs had a significantly more extensive psychiatric history than PVOs (p < 0.001). Injuries from suicide attempts and violent offenses are a serious and growing public health problem, but one that can be addressed through timely, evidence-based, and often cost-effective interventions. It requires early interaction among multiple disciplines and a standardized approach.

Psychopathy, psychological distress, and treatment history among perpetrators of intimate partner femicide, homicide, and other violent crimes in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Intimate partner femicide—the killing of women based on their gender by their former or current partners—is a global long-standing manifestation of violence against women. Despite the enactment of femicide-specific laws in Latin America, femicide rates have remained relatively constant throughout the last decade. Often perpetrators are pathologized as suffering from mental illness, yet the data on their mental health status is still relatively unknown. Thus, more research is needed to understand the extent of poor mental health among these individuals. The purpose of this study was to compare levels of psychopathy, psychological distress, and treatment history among an all-male sample of intimate partner femicide perpetrators, male-male homicide perpetrators, and offenders convicted of other violent crimes in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This study utilized a cross-sectional survey based on data derived from a two-stage sampling strategy. The questionnaire included two standardized instruments for the measurement of psychopathy (revised Psychopathy checklist and the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy scale) and one for general distress (Spanish version of 12-item General Health Questionnaire). The final sample included 205 prisoners including 68 intimate partner femicide perpetrators, 73 homicide perpetrators, and 64 individuals convicted of other violent crimes. There were no significant differences across these groups based on their socio-demographic characteristics. Participants did not differ in terms of their psychopathology; however, femicide perpetrators were statistically more likely to experience psychological distress. In addition, femicide perpetrators self-reported more prior episodes of mental and substance use treatments. The findings of increased psychological distress and prior mental health and substance use treatment among femicide perpetrators suggest that there may be missed opportunities for femicide prevention within the public health subspecialties of mental health and substance use disorders. This study suggests that femicide perpetrators likely require distinctive interventions, including self-assessments and harm mitigation tactics, to prevent their potential for femicide perpetration.

Did the First COVID-19 National Lockdown Lead to an Increase in Domestic Abuse in the U.K.'s Capital City of London?

On March 23, 2020, the United Kingdom went into national lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19. In this paper, we examine whether a policy aimed at minimizing the health consequences of the pandemic had unintended negative consequences for domestic abuse. Using data from the Metropolitan Police in England we estimate the impact of lockdown on domestic abuse in the 32 boroughs that make up the London metropolitan area. Using a before and after approach, and controlling for other factors, we show an increase in the probability of being a victim of domestic abuse during lockdown similar in magnitude to the increase experienced over the Christmas holidays. However, the overall picture masks inequalities across groups: with women, younger and older people, and people of Asian, Arab, and Middle Eastern ethnicity subject to the highest increases, reflecting vulnerabilities and existing inequalities. Of the domestic abuse-related crimes, it is the most violent crimes that saw the greatest increases during lockdown. Once lockdown restrictions are eased, rates decline but remain slightly higher than prior to lockdown up to 3 months later. The results present a clear message for policy makers: a policy adopted to alleviate one problem, even in times of crisis, must factor in the impact this may have in other areas. Failure to do so in this situation, despite existing evidence linking domestic abuse to stress, confinement, and crisis situations prior to lockdown, has resulted in an increase in domestic violence in the U.K.'s capital city, during lockdown and beyond.

The Road to Crime: An Unintended Consequence of the Interstate Highway System

Abstract The necessity to overhaul national infrastructure has become one of the key issues of US domestic policy in recent years. While the benefits of infrastructure spending are often straightforward, its unintended consequences are less well understood. This paper studies the impact of transportation infrastructure on local crime, focusing on the construction of the Interstate Highway System (IHS), the largest public works project in US history. Using a staggered difference-in-differences design and a county-by-year panel dataset spanning all US counties between 1960 and 1993, we find that a highway opening in a county led to an 8% rise in total index crime. This effect is driven by property crime (burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft), although some evidence suggests an increase in violent crime as well. Exploring potential mechanisms, we show that the positive effect of highways on crime is concentrated in counties with low pre-existing stock of police resources where increased connectivity may have raised the returns to crime. Moreover, we find that highway construction induced higher local employment, average firm size, and the local population size, thus increasing the returns to criminal activity, and ultimately the risk of victimisation in the newly-connected counties.

Confounder selection in firearm policy research: A scoping review.

Legislative firearm policies are often proposed as a way of preventing firearm-related harm. Confounding is a substantial threat to accurately estimating the causal effects of firearm policies. This scoping review characterizes selection of potential confounders in US firearm policy evaluations in the health sciences literature. We identified empirical research articles indexed in PubMed from 1/1/2000-9/1/2021 that examined any of 18 pre-specified firearm policies and extracted key study elements, including the exposure (firearm policy), outcomes, potential confounders adjusted for in analyses, and study approach (i.e., static, uncontrolled pre-post, and controlled pre-post). There was wide variation in potential confounders within study approach-policy-outcome combinations. The most common potential confounders included sociodemographic and economic variables, rurality/urbanicity, violent crime, law enforcement-related variables, alcohol use, and firearm access (mostly measured via proxies for firearm ownership). Firearm policies other than the policy being evaluated were included in the adjustment set in 23-44% of studies, depending on the study approach. Confounder selection was most often said to be based on prior research (n=49, 40%) or not explicitly stated (n=48, 39%). This scoping review provides a comprehensive resource for critically appraising the firearm policy literature and offers considerations to support more rigorous confounding control in future firearm policy research.

International and domestic crime statistics indicators of sexual crimes

Aim: In this study, the Author reviews the criminal statistics indicators of sexual crimes. Sexual crimes can be grouped according to several classification systems – for example, the age of the victims, or the method of execution, or in light of whether they are committed with violence. Based on the latter, distinguished between violent and non-violent situations – a good example of the former is the crime of sexual violence, while the latter is child pornography. The analysis of the statistical data provides insight into how and to what extent the prevalence of sexual crime develops, as well as how and with what prevention campaigns these frequency indicators can be reduced. Methodology: In the study, the Author makes a statistical presentation, the sources of which are international and domestic crime statistics databases. Findings: Although the number of proceedings initiated for sexual crimes in Hungary can be considered average for the Central and Eastern European region, the numbers of cases detected are still at high levels. In order for these cases to decrease, programs are needed that effectively combat the effects of sexual violence myths, the fear of victim blaming, and stigmatisation. Value: This study is an overview that aims to present a complex statistical point of sexual crimes, which can serve as a basis for further comparative analyses.