Routledge Handbook of Crime Science (Routledge International Handbooks)

Crime science is precisely what it says it is: the application of science to the phenomenon of crime. This handbook, intended as a crime science manifesto, showcases the scope of the crime science field and provides the reader with an understanding of the assumptions, aspirations and methods of crime science, as well as the variety of topics that fall within its purview. Crime science provides a distinctive approach to understanding and dealing with crime: one that is outcome-oriented, evidence-based and that crosses boundaries between disciplines. The central mission of crime science is to find new ways to cut crime and increase security. Beginning by setting out the case for crime science, the editors examine the roots of crime science in environmental criminology and describe its key features. The book is then divided into two sections. The first section comprises chapters by disciplinary specialists about the contributions their sciences can make or have already made to crime science. The second section of the book comprises a series of exemplary case studies in crime science, showing a wide range of the kind of work that crime scientists do. The editors conclude by drawing on the preceding contributions, as well as germane areas of research, to offer a thoughtful consideration of future directions for crime science. This book is essential reading for social scientists and scientists alike and marks a new phase in the study of crime and its detection and prevention Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Table of Contents List of contributors Chapter 1: What is crime science? Introduction Environmental criminology roots Key characteristics of crime science Conclusion Notes References SECTION 1: Disciplinary contributions to crime science Overview Chapter 2: Evolutionary psychology Human nature The adaptationist programme: using evolutionary biology to understand living things Conclusions: the promise of a better science References Chapter 3: Genetics Genetic influences on antisocial behaviour Molecular genetics Gene–environment interactions Integrating genetic information into crime-prevention and reduction practices Conclusion References Chapter 4: Sociology Introduction Sociology The social nature of crime The real causal importance of the social The production and inhibition of patterns of crime event The modifiable experience of crime Signals and criminal behaviour Using sociology in crime science References Chapter 5: Psychology Developmental crime prevention Situational crime prevention Offender treatment and rehabilitation Conclusion References Chapter 6: Economics Economic models of crime Market solution to crime The Becker model Economic tools used to measure efficacy A Normative framework and contribution to crime policy Conclusion Notes References Chapter 7: Epidemiology Introduction Evolution of epidemiology as a discipline The strategies of epidemiology Data collection and quality Analysis And interpretation Evaluation of efficacy, effectiveness and impact of interventions Conclusion Acknowledgements Note References Chapter 8: Mathematics Introduction What is mathematics? Mathematical approaches to crime Areas of application Summary and outlook References Chapter 9: Geography Introduction Spatial analysis The importance of scale, its complications, and the understanding of place Policy mobilities and crime prevention Conclusion Notes References Chapter 10: Architecture Introduction Crime and the built environment First-generation CPTED Developments in CPTED Computational tools for CPTED Conclusions Acknowledgements Notes References Chapter 11: Engineering Introduction Engineering in the 21st century System: an interdisciplinary concept When engineering matters Conclusion References Chapter 12: Computer science Introduction Crime prevention Crime simulation Conclusions Acknowledgements References Chapter 13: Forensic science Introduction: a conceptual overview of forensic reconstruction, detection and disruption The forensic science process and conceptual approach Where are the challenges? What do we need going forward? Conclusion References SECTION 2: Crime science in action Overview Chapter 14: Social network analysis Introduction Social network analysis Crime-risk contagion Co-offending Group structure Future/conclusions Notes References Chapter 15: Analysis and prevention of organised crime Organised crime, crime science, and situational crime prevention What is ‘organised crime’? Analysis and prevention of organised crimes Analysis and prevention of associational structures and systemic conditions Conclusion Notes References Chapter 16: Terrorists are just another type of criminal Introduction Why do people commit terrorist acts? Where and when does terrorism occur? How do we prevent terrorism? Conclusion References Chapter 17: Evolution, crime science and terrorism: the case of Provisional IRA weaponry Introduction Evolution: basic mechanisms Variation, creativity and innovation Selection Replication/transmission Entities and their environments In the face of change So what? Conclusion Notes References Chapter 18: Fighting cybercrime once it switches from the online world to the real world Introduction Case study 1: email spam Case study 2: fake antivirus scams Case study 3: credit card fraud Conclusion and challenges going forward References Chapter 19: The limits of anonymity in Bitcoin Background on Bitcoin How Bitcoin works The Bitcoin ecosystem Attributing Bitcoins to real-world owners A re-identification attack Clustering Bitcoin addresses Putting it together Tracking flows of Bitcoins Conclusions and implications for crime prevention Note Chapter 20: Crime in the age of the Internet of Things Overview Definitions Challenges to the adoption of IoT The first application domain Security of industrial control systems Current ICS Systems Attacks against today’s industrial control systems Malicious actors Selected targeted attacks Defences Current industrial control systems, a summary Future IoT crime View from the perspective of crime Conclusion References Chapter 21: Transdisciplinary research in virtual space: can online warning messages reduce engagement with child exploitation material? Introduction Towards ‘transdisciplinary’ research in crime science Crime science, ICT and online child sexual exploitation offences Adopting the lens of environmental criminological theory Automated internet warnings as a potential technological crime-prevention strategy Case study: roles for transdisciplinary research on automated warnings Conclusion Acknowledgements Notes References Chapter 22: Those who do big bad things still do little bad things: re-stating the case for self-selection policing Introduction Why and how should self-selection policing work? Which minor offences work best? In search of SSP ‘trigger’ offences So what’s the problem? Barriers to adopting self-selection policing The future for self-selection policing? Notes References Chapter 23: Agent-based decision-support systems for crime scientists Introduction Agent-based decision-support systems An illustrative example: prototyping strategies for call-for-service despatch Discussion Note References Appendix Chapter 24: Economic efficiency and the detection of crime: a case study of Hong Kong policing Introduction Economic concepts relating to efficiency Measuring relative efficiency Method Results Conclusion Notes References Chapter 25: No need for X-ray specs: through-the-wall radar for operational policing Introduction Radar fundamentals Sensing through a wall Through-the-wall radar in operational policing Through-the-wall passive radar Summary References Chapter 26: Electronic noses: the chemistry of smell and security What do we want to smell and why? How to build an e-nose Case study – sniffing out explosives Scope for the future References Chapter 27: Understanding forensic trace evidence Introduction Examples Summary References Chapter 28: Interpretation of forensic science evidence at every step of the forensic science process: decision-making under uncertainty Introduction Cognition and decision-making in the forensic process; crime scene to court Summary References Chapter 29: Better preparation for the future – don’t leave it to chance Introduction Future planning - beware the dystopian view Tools for futures planning Some worked scenarios Conclusion References Chapter 30: Future crime Introduction Managing expectations Looking to the future through a crime-science lens UCL systematic review Discussion Notes References Chapter 31: Future directions for crime science Introduction Academic developments Extending the range and depth of research topics Old crimes, new opportunities Conclusion References Index Crime science is precisely what it says it is: the application of science to the phenomenon of crime. This handbook, intended as a crime science manifesto, showcases the scope of the crime science field and provides the reader with an understanding of the assumptions, aspirations and methods of crime science, as well as the variety of topics that fall within its purview. Crime science provides a distinctive approach to understanding and dealing with crime: one that is outcome-oriented, evidence-based and that crosses boundaries between disciplines. The central mission of crime science is to find new ways to cut crime and increase security.Beginning by setting out the case for crime science, the editors examine the roots of crime science in environmental criminology and describe its key features. The book is then divided into two sections. The first section comprises chapters by disciplinary specialists about the contributions their sciences can make or have already made to crime science.Chapter 12 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license. Crime science is precisely what it says it the application of science to the phenomenon of crime. This handbook, intended as a crime science manifesto, showcases the scope of the crime science field and provides the reader with an understanding of the assumptions, aspirations and methods of crime science, as well as the variety of topics that fall within its purview. Crime science provides a distinctive approach to understanding and dealing with one that is outcome-oriented, evidence-based and that crosses boundaries between disciplines. The central mission of crime science is to find new ways to cut crime and increase security. Beginning by setting out the case for crime science, the editors examine the roots of crime science in environmental criminology and describe its key features. The book is then divided into two sections. The first section comprises chapters by disciplinary specialists about the contributions their sciences can make or have already made to crime science. Chapter 12 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license. In this chapter we will explore the relationship between crime and computers and networks by answering the following questions: •• Which techniques from computer science can be used to prevent crime? •• Which techniques from computer science can be used to study crime? To address the first question we use the 25 techniques of situational crime prevention to provide a systematic assessment of how computer and network technology can be used to prevent crime. The second question will be addressed by discussing computer simulation methods in cases where real experiments with crime prevention would be too costly or impractical