Classical deterrence theory revisited: An empirical analysis of Police Force Areas in England and Wales

The severity, certainty and celerity (swiftness) of punishment are theorised to influence offending through deterrence. Yet celerity is rarely included in empirical studies of criminal activity and the three deterrence factors have never been analysed in one empirical model. We address this gap with an analysis using unique panel data of recorded theft, burglary and violence against the person for 41 Police Force Areas in England and Wales using variables that capture these three theorised factors of deterrence. We find that the three factors affect crime in different ways. Increased detection by the police (certainty) is associated with reduced theft and burglary but not violence. We find that variation in the celerity of sanction has a significant impact on theft offences but not on burglary or violence offences. Increased average prison sentences (severity) reduce burglary only. We account for these results in terms of data challenges and the likely different motivations underlying violent and acquisitive crime.

The Cambridge Handbook of Forensic Psychology

In the decade since the publication of the first edition of The Cambridge Handbook of Forensic Psychology, the field has expanded into areas such as social work and education, while maintaining the interest of criminal justice researchers and policy makers. This new edition provides cutting-edge and comprehensive coverage of the key theoretical perspectives, assessment methods, and interventions in forensic psychology. The chapters address substantive topics such as acquisitive crime, domestic violence, mass murder, and sexual violence, while also exploring emerging areas of research such as the expansion of cybercrime, particularly child sexual exploitation, as well as aspects of terrorism and radicalisation. Reflecting the global reach of forensic psychology and its wide range of perspectives, the international team of contributors emphasise diversity and cross-reference between adults, adolescents, and children to deliver a contemporary picture of the discipline.

Homicide, Acquisitive Crime, and Inflation: A City-Level Longitudinal Analysis

Building on research by Rosenfeld et al., citylevel random coefficients panel models reveal a significant association between inflation and homicide rates that is only partially mediated by acquisitive crime. Inflation is more strongly associated with homicide rates in more disadvantaged cities. The impact of inflation on public safety should be considered when setting and evaluating economic policy. Future research should address the mechanisms, in addition to acquisitive crime, that link homicide and inflation.

Dactylographic and dermatoglyphic characteristic of papillary fingerprint ridge patterns of serial killers who committed acquisitive crime

In order to verify the conclusions made by other scholars that based on the traces of papillary ridges of fingers and hands using dermatoglyphic methods in forensics allow composing portrait of a suspect, the authors of the articled analyzed the dactylographic and dermatoglyphic characteristics contained in the accurate dactylographic profiles of the known serial killers who committed acquisitive crimes. Choice of this motive is explained by the fact that both males and females were driven by it. The subject of this research is the types of papillary fingerprint ridges, dactylographic formulas, pattern of ridges, presence or absence of symmetry of the same type of ridge on the same fingers of both hands, and delta index. Research methodology is based on the analysis of modern scientific provisions of dactyloscopy and dermatoglyphics. Considerable attention is given to the use of private scientific methods of cognition: description, comparison of characteristics of papillary fingerprint ridge patterns of serial killers. The application of these methods of cognition allowed concluding on the absence of undisputed evidence of papillary fingerprint ridge patterns of criminal nature, namely an increase in the number of arched ridges in calculating the frequency of ridges on separate fingers. This article is first to analyze not only the accumulated unique empirical material, but also presents the images for getting a fuller representation on the known serial criminals.

Differences in subjective representations of former law enforcement officers, convicted of lucrative crime and corruption

The article discusses theoretical basis for study of representations of persons who have committed lucrative crimes. The role of representations in regulation of social behavior is described, theoretical information and facts confirming the role of representations in regulation of criminal behavior are given. Opinions are generalised as to the specifics of the perceptions of persons who have committed mercenary crimes and corruption. Theories of «planned behavior» and «criminal thinking» in relation to the assessment of criminal perceptions are discussed. Hypotheses of empirical study of representations are defined, its procedure, methodology and methods applied are described. The sample of the survey comprises 211 former law enforcement officers convicted of lucrative and corruption crimes. The results are given taking into account the statistical assessment of differences in perceptions of impunity, victim depreciation and hedonistic attitudes. The results support the hypothesis that there are differences in perceptions between the groups to be compared, as well as differences in the relationship of these perceptions among former law enforcement officers. It is assumed that the measured perceptions influence the decision to commit a lucrative crime by encouraging a belief in impunity and victim acceptance. The conclusion is that it is promising to study perceptions as an indicator of the risk of acquisitive crime.

Vehicle Crime, CPTED, and Offending under the Influence: A Qualitative Investigation of Offender Perceptions

Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) can impact upon where an offender decides to commit an offence. This is particularly the case for street-level acquisitive crime. There has been little coverage, within research on crime and offending, of how aspects of the built environment might be interpreted by a motivated offender who has a dependency on either illicit drugs, alcohol or both of these. This study draws on qualitative interviews with twenty individuals who have received criminal convictions for vehicle crime offences. Within these offender interviews, images, of repeatedly victimised areas, were examined in order to gauge in what capacity various locations were vulnerable to vehicle crime. Through this examination, pertinent points were made by participants about how and why the appeal of locations could differ for offenders who suffer from substance addiction and offenders who do not. The key findings of this research demonstrate that vehicle crime offenders who are not dependent on drugs or alcohol, may be more risk-averse than those who are. Moreover, both types of offender might become part of organised crime networks, but these findings make an initial suggestion that those who offend under the influence are more vulnerable to coercion by a criminal hierarchy.