Pub Date : 2025-10-10DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102534
Myunghee You , Brian J. Stults
The association between low self-control and victimization is well documented, but it remains unclear for whom low self-control matters most. We test whether low self-control is associated with victimization risk and, more importantly, whether this effect varies between poor and non-poor children and at different ages. Using data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods, we employ three-level multivariate Rasch models with a logit form of Item Response Theory (IRT). Findings reveal that victimization risk is greater among those with low self-control, even after controlling for prior violent offenses, risky lifestyles, and neighborhood structural characteristics. Contrary to expectations, this effect is not influenced by age and is stronger for non-poor children than for poor children. We suggest that cognitive-behavioral interventions to reduce victimization risk can be effective for all ages, especially when including youth from non-poor families. These findings imply that, from developmental and life-course perspectives, risk factors have cumulative and interactive effects over time, suggesting a highly complex system in which age and poverty intertwine with other factors to shape victimization risk. Future research should explore the multifaceted interplay of risk factors for victimization using life-course approaches.
{"title":"The intricate nature of vulnerability to victimization: Low self-control, age, and economic status","authors":"Myunghee You , Brian J. Stults","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102534","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102534","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The association between low self-control and victimization is well documented, but it remains unclear for whom low self-control matters most. We test whether low self-control is associated with victimization risk and, more importantly, whether this effect varies between poor and non-poor children and at different ages. Using data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods, we employ three-level multivariate Rasch models with a logit form of Item Response Theory (IRT). Findings reveal that victimization risk is greater among those with low self-control, even after controlling for prior violent offenses, risky lifestyles, and neighborhood structural characteristics. Contrary to expectations, this effect is not influenced by age and is stronger for non-poor children than for poor children. We suggest that cognitive-behavioral interventions to reduce victimization risk can be effective for all ages, especially when including youth from non-poor families. These findings imply that, from developmental and life-course perspectives, risk factors have cumulative and interactive effects over time, suggesting a highly complex system in which age and poverty intertwine with other factors to shape victimization risk. Future research should explore the multifaceted interplay of risk factors for victimization using life-course approaches.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"101 ","pages":"Article 102534"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-10DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102535
Cooper A. Maher , Timothy A. Engle , Matthew McGrath , Joseph L. Nedelec
Fraud is increasingly common, affecting millions of people annually, resulting in substantial consequences. While previous studies examining fraud have proliferated in recent years, it remains less clear whether there exist geospatial or temporal patterns in fraud victimization. The lack of research relating to these topics is consequential, given the potential for targeted victim support strategies to be formulated based upon deeper understandings of fraud concentration. The current study used data from the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker Database (https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker) to geospatially analyze fraud trends in Ohio in 2024 (n = 3219). The findings suggest that fraud is unequally distributed around Ohio's major metropolitan areas, and that fraud occurred most frequently and with the highest dollar loss in January and July, respectively. The study illustrates the need for geographically and temporally targeted victim supports relating to online purchase fraud concentrated within Ohio's major metropolitan areas, and highlights the need for continued geospatial analyses of fraud.
{"title":"Fraud in the buckeye state: A geospatial and temporal analysis fraud victimization reports in Ohio, 2024","authors":"Cooper A. Maher , Timothy A. Engle , Matthew McGrath , Joseph L. Nedelec","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102535","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102535","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fraud is increasingly common, affecting millions of people annually, resulting in substantial consequences. While previous studies examining fraud have proliferated in recent years, it remains less clear whether there exist geospatial or temporal patterns in fraud victimization. The lack of research relating to these topics is consequential, given the potential for targeted victim support strategies to be formulated based upon deeper understandings of fraud concentration. The current study used data from the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker Database (<span><span>https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>) to geospatially analyze fraud trends in Ohio in 2024 (<em>n</em> = 3219). The findings suggest that fraud is unequally distributed around Ohio's major metropolitan areas, and that fraud occurred most frequently and with the highest dollar loss in January and July, respectively. The study illustrates the need for geographically and temporally targeted victim supports relating to online purchase fraud concentrated within Ohio's major metropolitan areas, and highlights the need for continued geospatial analyses of fraud.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"101 ","pages":"Article 102535"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102532
Hyeyoung Lim , Brian Lawton
In response to problematic encounters, police agencies have increasingly relied on additional training as a remedy. While specific training is required for all officers within an agency or a state, larger police agencies often offer optional, discretionary training opportunities and newly developed programs. To build on and extend the work of Lim and Lee (2015), this study examines the impacts of topic-specific training and officers' use of force, while also incorporating the training received by their immediate supervisors. Using Response to Resistance (R2R) reports and training records from 2009 to 2017 provided by a large-sized police department in Texas, this study explores how both officer and supervisor training influence force application and the supervisory role in guiding and managing use of force decisions. Three topic-specific trainings focused on this study are on the topics related to the use of force, working with impaired individuals, and issues of race and ethnicity. Given the categorical nature of the dependent variable, clustered multinomial logistic regression models were employed, accounting for the nesting of officers under supervisors. Findings indicate that impairment-related training was generally associated with a reduced likelihood of higher levels of force, while force-specific training was unexpectedly linked to greater odds of using higher levels of force compared to the weaponless force. Supervisor training effects were inconsistent but significant in certain contrasts, underscoring the potential influence of supervisory oversight on officer behavior. Study limitations and recommendations for future studies were further discussed.
{"title":"The impact of officer and supervisor training in police use of force incidents","authors":"Hyeyoung Lim , Brian Lawton","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102532","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102532","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In response to problematic encounters, police agencies have increasingly relied on additional training as a remedy. While specific training is required for all officers within an agency or a state, larger police agencies often offer optional, discretionary training opportunities and newly developed programs. To build on and extend the work of Lim and Lee (2015), this study examines the impacts of topic-specific training and officers' use of force, while also incorporating the training received by their immediate supervisors. Using Response to Resistance (R2R) reports and training records from 2009 to 2017 provided by a large-sized police department in Texas, this study explores how both officer and supervisor training influence force application and the supervisory role in guiding and managing use of force decisions. Three topic-specific trainings focused on this study are on the topics related to the use of force, working with impaired individuals, and issues of race and ethnicity. Given the categorical nature of the dependent variable, clustered multinomial logistic regression models were employed, accounting for the nesting of officers under supervisors. Findings indicate that impairment-related training was generally associated with a reduced likelihood of higher levels of force, while force-specific training was unexpectedly linked to greater odds of using higher levels of force compared to the weaponless force. Supervisor training effects were inconsistent but significant in certain contrasts, underscoring the potential influence of supervisory oversight on officer behavior. Study limitations and recommendations for future studies were further discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"101 ","pages":"Article 102532"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-08DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102521
Sara Yamini, Hossein Dabiriyan Tehrani, Alexander T. Vazsonyi
The present study sought to test whether classroom-level composition at schools of native versus immigrant adolescents explains variability in three measures of violence perpetration (lifetime violence perpetration, recent [past 12 months], and age of first violence perpetration), with a consideration of known individual-level correlates (i.e., age, sex, SES, immigrant status, low self-control, parental closeness, parental monitoring, discrimination, trauma, and neighborhood bonding) as well as school-level correlates (i.e., school climate, type of school, school location of [size of city], and school disorganization). Nationally representative data were collected as part of the Second International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD-2) from 28 cultures, from seventh, eighth, and ninth-grade adolescents (N = 66,859). The current study employed multilevel or hierarchical linear modeling (MLM/HLM) to test this question of person-context interactions, to better understand the extent to which classroom immigrant composition at schools was associated with violence perpetration among adolescents. Results provided evidence that a higher proportion of immigrant students across schools was associated with lower levels of lifetime and recent (past 12 months) violence perpetration and with a delayed age of first violence perpetration; at the same time, they also showed that within schools, immigrant youth were at greater risk for violence perpetration vis-à-vis their native peers. Findings underscore the need for addressing the complex interplay between both individual- and school-level contextual factors, as well as their interactions, to better understand and address violence perpetration among youth.
{"title":"Does classroom composition of immigrant versus non-immigrant adolescents explain violence perpetration? A cross-cultural study","authors":"Sara Yamini, Hossein Dabiriyan Tehrani, Alexander T. Vazsonyi","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102521","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102521","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study sought to test whether classroom-level composition at schools of native versus immigrant adolescents explains variability in three measures of violence perpetration (lifetime violence perpetration, recent [past 12 months], and age of first violence perpetration), with a consideration of known individual-level correlates (i.e., age, sex, SES, immigrant status, low self-control, parental closeness, parental monitoring, discrimination, trauma, and neighborhood bonding) as well as school-level correlates (i.e., school climate, type of school, school location of [size of city], and school disorganization). Nationally representative data were collected as part of the Second International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD-2) from 28 cultures, from seventh, eighth, and ninth-grade adolescents (<em>N</em> = 66,859). The current study employed multilevel or hierarchical linear modeling (MLM/HLM) to test this question of person-context interactions, to better understand the extent to which classroom immigrant composition at schools was associated with violence perpetration among adolescents. Results provided evidence that a higher proportion of immigrant students across schools was associated with lower levels of lifetime and recent (past 12 months) violence perpetration and with a delayed age of first violence perpetration; at the same time, they also showed that within schools, immigrant youth were at greater risk for violence perpetration vis-à-vis their native peers. Findings underscore the need for addressing the complex interplay between both individual- and school-level contextual factors, as well as their interactions, to better understand and address violence perpetration among youth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"101 ","pages":"Article 102521"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-08DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102531
P.A.H. Sarkki (Pirkko) , M.S. van 't Hoff-de Goede (Susanne) , M.A.G. van Leuken (Merel) , S.G.A. van de Weijer (Steve) , E.R. Leukfeldt (Rutger)
With the increased use of the internet, cybercrime has grown more prevalent. Simultaneously, fear of cybercrime has increased and warrants more attention in research. This article investigates the temporal relationship between cybercrime fear and victimisation. Quantitative data from Dutch adults (N = 1886), collected at two timepoints, 2019 and 2020, were used. Linear and logistic regression models were conducted to assess whether cybercrime victimisation impacts the fear of cybercrime and vice versa, and whether earlier fear and victimisation predict subsequent fear and victimisation.
Recent victimisation (within the last year) and previous fear of crime (measured one year before) were found to increase current fear of cybercrime, with previous fear being the strongest predictor. Fear of cybercrime did not significantly impact the risk of victimisation a year later. Notably, earlier victimisation predicted nearly five times higher risk of victimisation a year later. The results show that victimisation may increase fear. However, while fear could motivate people to self-protect, fear does not diminish risk of cybercrime victimisation. Furthermore, the research highlights the prevalence of revictimisation in cybercrime, emphasising the need to focus on previously victimised when designing interventions.
{"title":"Fear of cybercrime victimisation: Examining the relationship between fear and victimisation","authors":"P.A.H. Sarkki (Pirkko) , M.S. van 't Hoff-de Goede (Susanne) , M.A.G. van Leuken (Merel) , S.G.A. van de Weijer (Steve) , E.R. Leukfeldt (Rutger)","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102531","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102531","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the increased use of the internet, cybercrime has grown more prevalent. Simultaneously, fear of cybercrime has increased and warrants more attention in research. This article investigates the temporal relationship between cybercrime fear and victimisation. Quantitative data from Dutch adults (<em>N</em> = 1886), collected at two timepoints, 2019 and 2020, were used. Linear and logistic regression models were conducted to assess whether cybercrime victimisation impacts the fear of cybercrime and vice versa, and whether earlier fear and victimisation predict subsequent fear and victimisation.</div><div>Recent victimisation (within the last year) and previous fear of crime (measured one year before) were found to increase current fear of cybercrime, with previous fear being the strongest predictor. Fear of cybercrime did not significantly impact the risk of victimisation a year later. Notably, earlier victimisation predicted nearly five times higher risk of victimisation a year later. The results show that victimisation may increase fear. However, while fear could motivate people to self-protect, fear does not diminish risk of cybercrime victimisation. Furthermore, the research highlights the prevalence of revictimisation in cybercrime, emphasising the need to focus on previously victimised when designing interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"101 ","pages":"Article 102531"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-08DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102525
Fiona Leverick, James Chalmers, Eamon P.H. Keane, Jacqueline Kinghan
This paper sets out the evidence that jurors hold false beliefs about rape and rape victims (rape myths). It examines three main sources of evidence (attitude surveys, mock jury studies, and interviews with jurors who have sat on real sexual offence cases). The different research methods each have their own strengths and weaknesses, but taking the research base as a whole, the conclusion can be drawn that at least some jurors hold false beliefs about rape and rape victims. This is a cause for concern not only because these false beliefs may be preventing justified convictions in rape and serious sexual offence cases, but also because the legitimacy of the criminal justice system rests on the assumption that jurors determine cases free of false beliefs and biases.
There is a clear link between scores on RMA (rape myth acceptance) scales and individual verdict choices, but the influence that individual jurors who hold false beliefs will have on the overall verdict might still be questioned. It is argued here that we cannot be confident that the deliberation process will cause individual jurors to change their views. This might not matter if, on any given jury, jurors who hold false beliefs are in a very small minority. However, even a small number of prejudiced jurors – or a single prejudiced juror – could be sufficient to prevent a justified conviction, especially in a system that requires unanimity or near unanimity for conviction.
{"title":"Why we need juror education in rape and serious sexual offence cases","authors":"Fiona Leverick, James Chalmers, Eamon P.H. Keane, Jacqueline Kinghan","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102525","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102525","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper sets out the evidence that jurors hold false beliefs about rape and rape victims (rape myths). It examines three main sources of evidence (attitude surveys, mock jury studies, and interviews with jurors who have sat on real sexual offence cases). The different research methods each have their own strengths and weaknesses, but taking the research base as a whole, the conclusion can be drawn that at least some jurors hold false beliefs about rape and rape victims. This is a cause for concern not only because these false beliefs may be preventing justified convictions in rape and serious sexual offence cases, but also because the legitimacy of the criminal justice system rests on the assumption that jurors determine cases free of false beliefs and biases.</div><div>There is a clear link between scores on RMA (rape myth acceptance) scales and individual verdict choices, but the influence that individual jurors who hold false beliefs will have on the overall verdict might still be questioned. It is argued here that we cannot be confident that the deliberation process will cause individual jurors to change their views. This might not matter if, on any given jury, jurors who hold false beliefs are in a very small minority. However, even a small number of prejudiced jurors – or a single prejudiced juror – could be sufficient to prevent a justified conviction, especially in a system that requires unanimity or near unanimity for conviction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"101 ","pages":"Article 102525"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-07DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102528
Robert E. Worden , Sarah J. McLean , Sara G. Fiegl
Workplace mentoring is widely regarded as vital for professional development in private and public organizations, and may be especially valuable in policing, which uniquely entails the discretionary application of coercive authority. Workplace mentoring can be informal and spontaneous or formal and structured by the organization. This paper explores the patterns of informal mentoring within the New York State Police. It is based on a mixed-methods study that included semi-structured interviews with 27 troopers, 60 sergeants, and 30 lieutenants and captains (commissioned officers), and surveys of 886 troopers, 414 sergeants and 141 lieutenants and captains. Framing the questions with reference to an expansive literature based largely on research in private sector organizations, we describe the characteristics of mentoring relationships, the mentoring functions performed, and the benefits experienced by the protégés. We also examine how informal mentoring relationships were influenced by the characteristics of the protégés. We found that while mentoring was provided widely, and with few and small distributional disparities, mentoring functions appear to have been performed at fairly modest levels. We conclude that elevating the level of mentoring beyond that found in these data would likely require some formalization, and that a number of options could be pursued.
{"title":"Patterns of informal mentorship in policing: A case study","authors":"Robert E. Worden , Sarah J. McLean , Sara G. Fiegl","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102528","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102528","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Workplace mentoring is widely regarded as vital for professional development in private and public organizations, and may be especially valuable in policing, which uniquely entails the discretionary application of coercive authority. Workplace mentoring can be informal and spontaneous or formal and structured by the organization. This paper explores the patterns of informal mentoring within the New York State Police. It is based on a mixed-methods study that included semi-structured interviews with 27 troopers, 60 sergeants, and 30 lieutenants and captains (commissioned officers), and surveys of 886 troopers, 414 sergeants and 141 lieutenants and captains. Framing the questions with reference to an expansive literature based largely on research in private sector organizations, we describe the characteristics of mentoring relationships, the mentoring functions performed, and the benefits experienced by the protégés. We also examine how informal mentoring relationships were influenced by the characteristics of the protégés. We found that while mentoring was provided widely, and with few and small distributional disparities, mentoring functions appear to have been performed at fairly modest levels. We conclude that elevating the level of mentoring beyond that found in these data would likely require some formalization, and that a number of options could be pursued.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"101 ","pages":"Article 102528"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-07DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102529
Ida Adamse , Arjan Blokland , Veroni Eichelsheim
Objectives
The current study aims to gain a better understanding of offenders' distances traveled by offenders, specifically in the context of co-offending across different crime types.
Methods
Multilevel regression analyses were performed on official registration data from the Dutch police regarding (co-)offending histories of 2759 individuals covering a 5-year period. The offenders' home and crime locations were used to study whether the length of their journey to crime and the distance between co-offenders are dependent on crime type, and whether the length of the journey to crime is dependent on the size and geographic dispersion of the offender group.
Results
The results show that crime type has a limited influence on both the distance traveled to a crime and the distance between co-offenders. The size and geographic dispersion of the offender group, on the other hand, are associated with the distance traveled to an offense.
Conclusion
The distances traveled by offenders to a crime location do not differ per crime type, but larger and more geographically dispersed offender groups tend to offend farther from home on average, emphasizing the importance of group dynamics and geographics in offenders' journey to crime.
{"title":"The geographical aspect of offending across crime types: A study on the journey to crime and co-offender dispersion","authors":"Ida Adamse , Arjan Blokland , Veroni Eichelsheim","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102529","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102529","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The current study aims to gain a better understanding of offenders' distances traveled by offenders, specifically in the context of co-offending across different crime types.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Multilevel regression analyses were performed on official registration data from the Dutch police regarding (co-)offending histories of 2759 individuals covering a 5-year period. The offenders' home and crime locations were used to study whether the length of their journey to crime and the distance between co-offenders are dependent on crime type, and whether the length of the journey to crime is dependent on the size and geographic dispersion of the offender group.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results show that crime type has a limited influence on both the distance traveled to a crime and the distance between co-offenders. The size and geographic dispersion of the offender group, on the other hand, are associated with the distance traveled to an offense.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The distances traveled by offenders to a crime location do not differ per crime type, but larger and more geographically dispersed offender groups tend to offend farther from home on average, emphasizing the importance of group dynamics and geographics in offenders' journey to crime.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"101 ","pages":"Article 102529"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-06DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102523
Timothy A. Engle , Cooper A. Maher , Joseph L. Nedelec
Perceptions of the seriousness of crime play a significant role in how stakeholders and victims respond to crime. Seminal work in this area was provided by Sellin and Wolfgang (1964) who sampled judges, police officers, and college students to assess perceptions of seriousness for a variety of crimes. Since that time, however, crime has evolved. While prior research has expanded Sellin and Wolfgang's work, previous examinations have not considered the emergence of cybercrime. The current study partially replicated and expanded upon Sellin and Wolfgang's analysis using a large online opt-in survey sample (n = 479). Respondents rated their perceptions of crime seriousness across a range of both terrestrial and cyber-based crime. The results generally replicated the findings of Sellin and Wolfgang and other previous works, with physically consequential crimes rated most serious relative to theft and nonviolent crimes. Additionally, certain cybercrime types were perceived as highly serious, relative to both online and terrestrial crimes. Multivariable regression analyses illustrated that a variety of correlates, including perceived victimization risk and some demographic characteristics, were associated with crime seriousness rankings. The findings are discussed in light of previous research and limitations.
Sellin, T., & Wolfgang, M. E. (1964). The measurement of delinquency. Wiley.
{"title":"Sellin and Wolfgang revisited: A partial replication and expansion considering cybercrime","authors":"Timothy A. Engle , Cooper A. Maher , Joseph L. Nedelec","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102523","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102523","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Perceptions of the seriousness of crime play a significant role in how stakeholders and victims respond to crime. Seminal work in this area was provided by <span><span>Sellin and Wolfgang (1964)</span></span> who sampled judges, police officers, and college students to assess perceptions of seriousness for a variety of crimes. Since that time, however, crime has evolved. While prior research has expanded Sellin and Wolfgang's work, previous examinations have not considered the emergence of cybercrime. The current study partially replicated and expanded upon Sellin and Wolfgang's analysis using a large online opt-in survey sample (<em>n</em> = 479). Respondents rated their perceptions of crime seriousness across a range of both terrestrial and cyber-based crime. The results generally replicated the findings of Sellin and Wolfgang and other previous works, with physically consequential crimes rated most serious relative to theft and nonviolent crimes. Additionally, certain cybercrime types were perceived as highly serious, relative to both online and terrestrial crimes. Multivariable regression analyses illustrated that a variety of correlates, including perceived victimization risk and some demographic characteristics, were associated with crime seriousness rankings. The findings are discussed in light of previous research and limitations.</div><div>Sellin, T., & Wolfgang, M. E. (1964). <em>The measurement of delinquency.</em> Wiley.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"101 ","pages":"Article 102523"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-06DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102527
Nuria Sánchez , Guadalupe Blanco-Velasco , Linda M. Geven , Jaume Masip , Antonio L. Manzanero
A comprehensive analysis of wrongful convictions in Spain was conducted. Out of 447 Supreme Court judgments made between 1996 and 2022, 243 cases involving a successful appeal made by a person claiming their innocence were examined in terms of the characteristics of wrongfully convicted individuals, the crime types, and the factors contributing to these judicial errors. An average rate of nine wrongful convictions per year was found, mostly for crimes against public safety and property, with a significant overrepresentation of foreign citizens. Legal professionals' misconduct was identified as the main factor contributing to these wrongful convictions. The mean time between the judgment and the conviction being overturned was around 4.5 years. More than half of the cases were reopened due to evidence indicating that the alleged crime never occurred. While new evidence was the primary reason for reopening cases, only 3 % were reopened based on DNA evidence. The systematic methodology used in this research may serve as a model for future studies on wrongful convictions in other countries. To reduce wrongful convictions in Spain, several key measures must be implemented. Legal representation should be mandatory for all individuals accused of crimes, without exception. Legal professionals must receive enhanced training to minimize judicial errors. Furthermore, stricter forensic protocols should be established, and forensic experts must be properly accredited to prevent the misapplication of scientific evidence in legal proceedings. Additionally, reforms are needed to ensure that plea bargains are subject to more rigorous scrutiny, and that minor crimes are properly investigated.
{"title":"Wrongful convictions in Spain: Systematic analysis of judgments from 1996 to 2022","authors":"Nuria Sánchez , Guadalupe Blanco-Velasco , Linda M. Geven , Jaume Masip , Antonio L. Manzanero","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102527","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102527","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A comprehensive analysis of wrongful convictions in Spain was conducted. Out of 447 Supreme Court judgments made between 1996 and 2022, 243 cases involving a successful appeal made by a person claiming their innocence were examined in terms of the characteristics of wrongfully convicted individuals, the crime types, and the factors contributing to these judicial errors. An average rate of nine wrongful convictions per year was found, mostly for crimes against public safety and property, with a significant overrepresentation of foreign citizens. Legal professionals' misconduct was identified as the main factor contributing to these wrongful convictions. The mean time between the judgment and the conviction being overturned was around 4.5 years. More than half of the cases were reopened due to evidence indicating that the alleged crime never occurred. While new evidence was the primary reason for reopening cases, only 3 % were reopened based on DNA evidence. The systematic methodology used in this research may serve as a model for future studies on wrongful convictions in other countries. To reduce wrongful convictions in Spain, several key measures must be implemented. Legal representation should be mandatory for all individuals accused of crimes, without exception. Legal professionals must receive enhanced training to minimize judicial errors. Furthermore, stricter forensic protocols should be established, and forensic experts must be properly accredited to prevent the misapplication of scientific evidence in legal proceedings. Additionally, reforms are needed to ensure that plea bargains are subject to more rigorous scrutiny, and that minor crimes are properly investigated.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"101 ","pages":"Article 102527"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}