scholarly journals Epistemologies of predictive policing: Mathematical social science, social physics and machine learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 205395172110031
Author(s):  
Jens Hälterlein
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Predictive Policing ◽  
Social Physics ◽  
The Status ◽  
Insight Into

Predictive policing has become a new panacea for crime prevention. However, we still know too little about the performance of computational methods in the context of predictive policing. The paper provides a detailed analysis of existing approaches to algorithmic crime forecasting. First, it is explained how predictive policing makes use of predictive models to generate crime forecasts. Afterwards, three epistemologies of predictive policing are distinguished: mathematical social science, social physics and machine learning. Finally, it is shown that these epistemologies have significant implications for the constitution of predictive knowledge in terms of its genesis, scope, intelligibility and accessibility. It is the different ways future crimes are rendered knowledgeable in order to act upon them that reaffirm or reconfigure the status of criminological knowledge within the criminal justice system, direct the attention of law enforcement agencies to particular types of crimes and criminals and blank out others, satisfy the claim for the meaningfulness of predictions or break with it and allow professionals to understand the algorithmic systems they shall rely on or turn them into a black box. By distinguishing epistemologies and analysing their implications, this analysis provides insight into the techno-scientific foundations of predictive policing and enables us to critically engage with the socio-technical practices of algorithmic crime forecasting.

Illicit Bitcoin transactions: challenges in getting to the who, what, when and where

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela S.M. Irwin ◽  
Adam B. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Cyber Security ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Predictive Policing ◽  
External Data ◽  
Functional Software ◽  
Behaviour Models

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the intelligence and investigatory challenges experienced by law enforcement agencies in discovering the identity of illicit Bitcoin users and the transactions that they perform. This paper proposes solutions to assist law enforcement agencies in piecing together the disparate and complex technical, behavioural and criminological elements that make up cybercriminal offending. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted to highlight the main law enforcement challenges and discussions and examine current discourse in the areas of anonymity and attribution. The paper also looked at other research and projects that aim to identify illicit transactions involving cryptocurrencies and the darknet. Findings An optimal solution would be one which has a predictive capability and a machine learning architecture which automatically collects and analyses data from the Bitcoin blockchain and other external data sources and applies search criteria matching, indexing and clustering to identify suspicious behaviours. The implementation of a machine learning architecture would help improve results over time and would be less manpower intensive. Cyber investigators would also receive intelligence in a format and language that they understand and it would allow for intelligence-led and predictive policing rather than reactive policing. The optimal solution would be one which allows for intelligence-led, predictive policing and enables and encourages information sharing between multiple stakeholders from the law enforcement, financial intelligence units, cyber security organisations and fintech industry. This would enable the creation of red flags and behaviour models and the provision of up-to-date intelligence on the threat landscape to form a viable intelligence product for law enforcement agencies so that they can more easily get to the who, what, when and where. Originality/value The development of a functional software architecture that, in theory, could be used to detected suspicious illicit transactions on the Bitcoin network.

scholarly journals Predictive Policing for Reform? Indeterminacy and Intervention in Big Data Policing

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 456-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Shapiro
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Predictive Analytics ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Police Reform ◽  
Predictive Policing ◽  
Trade Offs

Predictive analytics and artificial intelligence are applied widely across law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system. Despite criticism that such tools reinforce inequality and structural discrimination, proponents insist that they will nonetheless improve the equality and fairness of outcomes by countering humans’ biased or capricious decision-making. How can predictive analytics be understood simultaneously as a source of, and solution to, discrimination and bias in criminal justice and law enforcement? The article provides a framework for understanding the techno-political gambit of predictive policing as a mechanism of police reform—a discourse that I call “predictive policing for reform.” Focusing specifically on geospatial predictive policing systems, I argue that “predictive policing for reform” should be seen as a flawed attempt to rationalize police patrols through an algorithmic remediation of patrol geographies. The attempt is flawed because predictive systems operate on the sociotechnical practices of police patrols, which are themselves contradictory enactments of the state’s power to distribute safety and harm. The ambiguities and contradictions of the patrol are not resolved through algorithmic remediation. Instead, they lead to new indeterminacies, trade-offs, and experimentations based on unfalsifiable claims. I detail these through a discussion of predictive policing firm HunchLab’s use of predictive analytics to rationalize patrols and mitigate bias. Understanding how the “predictive policing for reform” discourse is operationalized as a series of technical fixes that rely on the production of indeterminacies allows for a more nuanced critique of predictive policing.

Desert Society

2018 ◽  
pp. 69-106
Author(s):  
Clinton Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Common Descent ◽  
The Bible ◽  
The Status

Dwelling in dispersion and far from any governmental law enforcement agencies that could provide them security, nomadic desert dwellers needed ways to protect themselves from violations such as murder, assault, insult, and theft. They achieved this security mainly by forming groups based on blood kin, or people of common descent, people whom they believed would honor claims of common loyalty and cooperation when problems with others arose. Each group they organized had a specific security function. The tribal structure of the Israelites as randomly noted in the Bible bears several similarities to that of the Bedouin. This chapter explores these similarities as well as their impact on the status and roles of the genders and on the institution of matrimony in both societies.

scholarly journals Current problems of outlining the list of law enforcement agencies of Ukraine: theoretical and legal principles and significance for law-enforcement practice (on the example of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine)

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 83-89
Author(s):  
Volodymyr Ivantsov
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Law Enforcement Officers ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Legal Principles ◽  
The Status ◽  
Basic Functions ◽  
Legal Position ◽  
State Body

It is emphasized that the current legislation uses the terms "law enforcement agency", "law enforcement officer", which is directly correlated with law enforcement activities, which in turn indicates the unconditional relevance of the current study. This article analyzes the current legislation in order to separate law enforcement agencies from other government agencies, in order to assign certain positions of government agencies to law enforcement officers. As a result, the imperfections of the definitions of Ukrainian legislation for unambiguous identification of both law enforcement activities and the list of law enforcement agencies have been established. Theoretical and legal bases for establishing the affiliation of a state body to the list of law enforcement agencies in terms of practical implementation of current regulations are obtained by assessing the status of the Civil Service of Ukraine for Emergencies, namely: the assignment of a body to law enforcement should be carried out separately , taking into account the legal position (status) of such body defined in normative legal acts; if the endowment of a certain entity with the status of a law enforcement body has not occurred normatively, it is necessary to proceed from the analysis of the purpose (tasks) and basic functions assigned to a particular body and, accordingly, the powers vested in such a body It has been proved that SES bodies do not belong to law enforcement bodies, as they belong to the unified state system of civil protection (SES bodies are not assigned law enforcement tasks and / or functions; they are not endowed with law enforcement powers), and their officials cannot be recognized as law enforcement officers. body. It is emphasized that the legal approach proposed by the author to establish the affiliation of a state body to the list of "law enforcement agencies" may be fully applicable to other subjects of power, which in the future will provide an opportunity to outline the comprehensive range of law enforcement agencies in Ukraine.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN COORDINATING THE ACTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergii Melnyk ◽  
◽  
Alina Ignatievа ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
International Law ◽  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Justice System ◽  
International Experience ◽  
International Treaties ◽  
Criminal Cases ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
Legal Enforcement

The article researched international experience in coordinating the action of law enforcement agencies in modern international law. It is stated that, enforcement agencies are those institutions that enforce the laws, including election-related laws. Enforcement аs an important integrity mechanism as it deters those who might be interested in subverting the system as well as identifies and punishes those who have broken the law. The responsibilities for enforcing laws and codes are usually divided among different agencies, depending on the nature and severity of the problem. Initial investigations may start with the oversight agency, but can be referred to an enforcement agency if it was determined that legal enforcement was required. For example, potential criminal cases uncovered during a routine audit can be referred to the justice system. If the prosecuting authorities decide to pursue the case, they could charge and prosecute the alleged perpetrator, with a court pronouncing sentence if the defendant were found guilty. Jurisdictionally, there can be an important difference between international law enforcement agencies and multinational law enforcement agencies, even though both are often referred to as «international», even in official documents Effective enforcement requires a functioning legal system and a respect for the rule of law. An important factor in maintaining integrity in enforcement is the independence of the judiciary, as justice is supposed to be administered fairly, equally and impartially. The prevention, investigation and cessation of international and many domestic crimes, as well as the prosecution of those responsible for their commission, are not it is always possible alone, without the help of other states and international organizations. Achieving this goal requires states not only to proclaim unilateral declarations of intent, participation in the signing international treaties and the activities of international institutions, but also the actual implementation of joint and agreed activities aimed at combating transnational and domestic organized crime.

THE ROLE OF THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE OF UKRAINE IN THE CONTEXT OF ENSURING GUARANTEES OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF JUDGES AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE JUDICIARY

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasyl Khmyz ◽  
◽  
Ruslan Skrynkovskyy ◽  
Tetiana Protsiuk ◽  
Mariana Khmyz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Criminal Code ◽  
Access To Justice ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Administration Of Justice ◽  
The Status ◽  
Legislative Framework ◽  
The Law

The article reveals the role of the prosecutor's office of Ukraine in the process and in order to ensure guarantees of the independence of judges and the authority of the judiciary. A study of the legislative framework of Ukraine proves that the role of the prosecutor's office in the process of ensuring guarantees of the independence of judges and the authority of justice is regulated by the provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine, the Law of Ukraine «On the Prosecutor's Office», the Law of Ukraine «On the Judicial System and the Status of Judges», the Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct of Prosecutors, the Criminal Procedure Code Of Ukraine, the Criminal Code of Ukraine, as well as other regulatory documents. It was found that the judge, performing professional activities in the direction of the administration of justice, is independent of the various influences, pressure or interference, which are illegal. The legislation of Ukraine determines that the principle of the independence of the judge indicates that the judge is not obliged to provide explanations regarding the nature and content of the cases being pending, with the exception of cases established by law. State authorities, local self- government bodies, officials and officials of these bodies, individuals and legal entities and associations of such persons should respect the independence of judges and in no case should encroach on it. It was determined that one of the principles on the basis of which the professional activities of the prosecution authorities are based is the principle of respect for the independence of judges. It has been proved that the High Council of Justice always adheres to the position of unconditionally ensuring the independence of judges and establishing this direction as a priority type of activity for law enforcement agencies, in particular, for the prosecutor's office. Fast and quality investigation of crimes related to the professional activities of judges will, first of all, contribute to the observance of constitutional law regarding the principle of access to justice.. It is noted that the prospects for further research in this direction are the study of the legal basis for the observance of the principle of the rule of law and legality by the judiciary in the context of performing professional activities.

Criminal justice in the middlebrow imagination: The punitive dimensions of Making a Murderer

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel LaChance ◽  
Paul Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Close Reading ◽  
Law And Order ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Late 20Th Century ◽  
Crime And Punishment

Popular documentary representations of crime and punishment have traditionally tended to fall into two camps: programs that are critical of law enforcement agencies and those that are sympathetic to them. In this article, we show how programs that present themselves as critical of legal authorities can nonetheless reinforce the “law and order punitivism” that underlay the ratcheting up of harsh punishment in the late 20th century. In a case study of the popular documentary miniseries Making a Murderer, we show how this can happen when texts fetishize the question of a criminal defendant’s innocence, adopt a “good versus evil” approach to players in the criminal justice system, and perpetuate a procedural rather than substantive vision of justice. Arguments are supported by a close reading of Making a Murderer and illustrated by a line of discussion it inspired in an internet forum.

scholarly journals From the Rejection of Court Disqualification to the Change of the Territorial Jurisdiction

2021 ◽  
pp. 22-26
Author(s):  
Antonina S. Taran ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Recent Change ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
High Position ◽  
Territorial Jurisdiction ◽  
Procedure Code ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
The Status ◽  
Cast Doubt ◽  
The Russian Federation

The author refers to the institution of rejection as one of the most important guarantees of the independence of judges. The relevance of this research is due to the need to study and demonstrate the mechanism of influence of the ECHR decisions on Russian legislation and law enforcement practice. The article tracks the recent change in the position of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation on the issue of rejection judges due to the special status of the person whose interests are affected by the criminal case under consideration/. In particular, it can be the status of a judge, a high position in law enforcement agencies and so on. The specificity of this rejection is to extend to the entire composition of the court, which makes it necessary to change the territorial jurisdiction. The author concludes that the fixing in part 1 of art. 35 of the Criminal procedure code of such a reason change territorial jurisdiction, as «the existence of circumstances that may cast doubt on the objectivity and impartiality of the court» has not eliminated entirely the need for use of the institution of rejection.

scholarly journals Registration of Second FIR (First Information Report) in Sughran Bibi Case: A Landmark Judgement of the Supreme Court of Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-122
Author(s):  
Rais Nouman Ahmad ◽  
Faiz Bakhsh ◽  
M. Danyal Khan ◽  
Sidra Kanwal
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Supreme Court ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Criminal Trial ◽  
Judicial System ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
Police Report ◽  
The Status

The registration of First Information Report (FIR) has remained a challenging area for the judicial system of Pakistan; the multiplicity of the FIRs means separate investigation and separate police report. Precedents were available far and against the second FIR which had been creating perplexity and nuisance for law enforcement agencies. First Information Report is contaminated by the inclusion of exaggerated facts by the aggrieved parties. Moreover, there are several allegations on the working of police in Pakistan for drafting the FIR arbitrarily. Although FIR is a mere document to report the incident, however, it has gained a significant role in deciding the fate of a criminal trial in Pakistan. Therefore, it is imperative to examine the status of FIR in criminal-trail framework of Pakistan. To do this, Sughran Bibi Case is very significant in interpreting the status of multiplicity of FIRs in the criminal trail framework. Seven judges of esteemed Supreme Court decided the fate of second FIR in this human rights case. The study investigates the doctrinal aspects of the judgement by presenting a theoretical examination of the status of FIR, its evidentiary value, and effectiveness in the criminal trial framework.  

scholarly journals Powers of the prosecutor during pretrial proceedings to protect the rights of victims of crimes

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-93
Author(s):  
Lilia R. Komarova ◽  
Mikhail V. Kolesov
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Criminal Case ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

The article substantiates the need to change the criminal procedural legislation that regulates the powers of the prosecutor and the status of the victim and gives the prosecutor the right to initiate a criminal case. The proposed changes in the procedural powers of the prosecutor are also considered through the prism of organizing the activities of law enforcement agencies and the impact of statistical reporting indicators on their activities. The experience of prosecutorial and investigative practices and the opinion of distinguished domestic legal scholars are analyzed. The changes proposed by the authors could have a significant positive impact on the work of preliminary investigation bodies and reduce the number of violations committed during preliminary investigation stages. In addition, bringing the status of the prosecutor and the preliminary investigation bodies into a logical procedural position could eliminate unnecessary and inherently harmful corporate competition.

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