NCJ Number
221251
Journal
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2008 Pages: 11-37
Date Published
March 2008
Length
27 pages
Annotation
The research presented within this paper was conducted as part of a 2-year project (Project MARC) to develop and render operational mechanism to assess the risk of theft of electronic products.
Abstract
It is the authors’ view that the crime risk assessment mechanism developed as part of this project will need to be sold to two audiences: crime control agencies that might alert consumers to risk and provide cautionary advice and manufacturers who would be asked to develop their products based upon the findings. The risk mechanism presented remains fit-for-purpose in relation to the first audience, but does not achieve the precision necessary for the second. Consultation with stakeholders yielded the common view that such a mechanism was worth pursuing, but that it must reflect the language of those who would use it. An extensive consultation from 10 European member states ensued. Participants were asked to rate a range of electronic products in terms of vulnerability and security, and to explain their ratings. Their responses were use to develop two checklists that incorporated a variety of factors, weighted according to the frequency with which they were expressed. The crime vulnerability checklist developed within this paper is judged fit-for-purpose as a provisional measurement. However, caution is urged in relation to the security checklist. This paper presents the findings from research conducted between 2004 and 2006 funded by the European Commission (Project MARC). Project MARC aims to develop a mechanism to assess the risk of theft of electronic products and take steps to operationalize the mechanism. Tables and references