NCJ Number
226813
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 33 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2009 Pages: 1-15
Date Published
2009
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This paper argues for a more systematic consideration of the role of science and technology in international crime control regarding the general understanding of crime and the development of techniques for its prevention and detection, using as an illustration an international study funded by ADT Alarms as part of its thought leadership program.
Abstract
The first section of the paper briefly discusses some of the characteristics of science, with attention to their role in understanding and controlling crime, disorder, and terrorism. It argues that science can contribute to an understanding of crime and its causes through the systematic analysis of data on crime and victims. At an international level, for example, social science can assist in identifying crime and its causes through the systematic analysis of data on crime and victims. Science can also influence the prevention of crime in the design of products, services, legislation, and management systems. Science and its technologies are also applied globally in the detection of crime (fingerprinting and DNA profiling, for example). The second section of this paper discusses how science can be part of the international agenda for countering crime, providing an example of the kind of work that might be done. ADT Alarms conducted a small cross-cultural study within Europe regarding the production of alarm systems and the integration of security applications that link access control, closed-circuit television, electronic article surveillance, and source tagging systems. The final section of the paper discusses some of the structural and training issues that might emerge from a systematic application of science and technology to crime control, with attention to training related to problem-oriented policing. 1 table, 3 figures, 4 notes and 33 references