The effects of closed-circuit television on crime: meta-analysis of an English national quasi-experimental multi-site evaluation

This article reports results obtained in an English national quasi-experimental multi-site evaluation of 14 closed-circuit television (CCTV) projects in residential areas, town and city centers, a city hospital, and car parks (parking lots). Both police and victimization data were collected before and after the installation of CCTV in target, control and buffer areas, and police Divisions. The results showed that CCTV was effective in reducing crimes in train station car parks but not in city centers or residential areas, seemed to be effective in reducing vehicle crimes (but not other types of crimes), and was most effective when the degree of coverage by CCTV was high and when CCTV was combined with other interventions such as improved lighting. Implications for situational crime prevention theory are drawn. There was no evidence of displacement or diffusion of benefits. It is concluded that CCTV needs to be implemented more effectively, based on an analysis of the crime problem and its causes, and needs to be evaluated using a randomized experimental design.

Situational deterrence and claim padding: results from a randomized field experiment

While it is generally argued that threats of legal sanctions are more effective with offenders involved in economic crimes than with delinquents committing more conventional crimes, such an affirmation rests on weak empirical evidence. Also, most studies supporting this proposition were conducted with non-experimental designs, thus, undermining the interval validity of the results. On the other hand, studies base their predictions on individual factors and do not incorporate contextual factors. To overcome those limitations, a randomized field experiment was implemented in four insurance companies to incorporate contextual factors into the dynamics of deterrence. This study assessed the effect of a written threat (a deterrent letter reminding insured persons of the punishment for insurance fraud) on claim padding behaviours of insured persons filing claims for residential theft. A deterrent-letter project was implemented in four insurance companies, with claims randomly assigned to the experimental or the control group. Cases belonging to the control group were managed as usual, while individuals in the experimental group received the written threat. The experimental design made sure that the deterrent stimulus was exactly delivered to the insured persons when they had the opportunity to exaggerate the value of their claims. Findings demonstrate that claimants in the experimental group were less likely to pad their claims than were those in the control group. The letter was effective, regardless of the means of delivery. In conclusion, the administration of a written threat at the moment of criminal opportunity appears to be an effective strategy for preventing economic crimes.

成都地区道路交通事故致残人员流行病学调查

目的 探讨成都地区道路交通事故致残的流行病学特点,为研究道路交通事故伤害成因和事故预防提供科学依据.方法 回顾性分析了成都地区2003至2006年10月所有交通事故受伤人员伤残评定资料,统计分析致残者性别、年龄、交通方式、人员类型的构成及事故发生的月份、星期、地域分布.结果 6364例交通事故致残人员资料纳入统计.男女之比为1.84∶1,以18～50岁年龄段所占比例最大(66.34%);自行车、摩托车驾乘人员及行人共占80.90%.不同年龄段、不同性别或不同事故地域的交通事故致残者中,各交通方式的构成比均显著不同.损伤部位中,下肢所占比例最高(39.49%),其次为颅脑损伤(22.77%).结论 预防交通事故应针对不同人群、不同地域、不同时段和不同交通方式,采用不同的方法和措施,制定相应的政策.     

刑法文化对犯罪预防控制的影响——从四种刑法文化类型进行的分析

刑法文化是一个国家的文化在刑法领域的显现,是刑法规范、相关法律设施等外化法律实体的内在精神部分,具体地表现在一个国家的犯罪观和刑罚观上.刑法文化反映和指导着一个国家的刑事政策,决定着犯罪的预防控制措施和刑事司法,并直接影响和决定着犯罪预防控制所采取的方式方法、模式以及犯罪预防控制体系的构建.不同类型的刑法文化孕育出不同的犯罪预防控制模式,不同类型的刑法文化中犯罪预防控制的指导思想、理论依据、所采用的方式、体系也是不同的.通过对重刑主义、工具主义、泛道德主义、泛刑主义四类刑法文化类型的分析,我们可以观察到不同刑法文化理念对犯罪预防控制产生的具体影响.     

地下私彩屡禁不止的原因及防治对策

近年来,地下私彩以惊人的速度在我国蔓延,并逐渐发展成公开的群众性赌博活动,严重阻碍了经济的发展,诱发一系列违法犯罪行为,影响社会稳定。因此,必须动员全社会的力量,运用法律、经济、行政、教育等各种手段进行综合治理,消除地下私彩存在的土壤,以维护正常的社会管理秩序,促进社会主义市场经济的健康发展。     

浅谈防范杀人案件发生的主要途径

防范杀人案件的发生是预防犯罪和打击犯罪的重要环节。运用超前、有效的方式分别对非突发性杀人案件和突发性杀人案件进行分析和防范,对于保护人民生命安全和维护社会安定,具有主动、积极、效能的现实意义。总的对策应从分析杀人案件的直接原因、诱发原因及犯罪作案条件上下功夫。对于非突发性杀人案件的防范要留心观察诱发的迹象,及时化解矛盾,加强法制教育;对突发性杀人案件的防范应强化防范意识,对侵财型案件和有人格障碍者严控突发因素。     

自杀性暴力犯罪及其防范对策研究

自杀性暴力犯罪已成为影响我国社会治安的一个敏感而重大的问题,由于此类犯罪的危害后果非常严重,因此,在研究如何侦查此类案件的同时,应当着重探索此类犯罪的基本特征和发生规律,在防范对策上下功夫。     

关于假释适用的若干认识

我国刑罚执行中 ,减刑率高于假释率有其合理根据。但从长远角度看 ,假释能够把犯罪风险或现实代价放在行刑后期——一种准社会环境和司法机关尚可控制的范围。因此 ,适度地普遍地运用假释 ,更能突显刑事法预防犯罪的主旨 ,培养社会综合预防犯罪的能力。具体做法是完善相关法律程序与内容 ,完善假释管理机制 ,调整假释适用的重点对象。     

论主审法官制度的负效应及其防止

主审法官制度作为一项司法改革措施 ,将要在全国法院系统内推行。本文认为主审法官制度在其设立的合理性、合法性以及解决问题的有效性等诸多方面存在先天不足 ,极有可能导致一系列的负面效应。完善主审法官制度的根本措施在于进一步改革现行的法官制度     

迷失于网络的青少年犯罪原因及防治对策

网络的出现给人类的发展带来了前所未有的机遇 ,但是也带来了许多相关问题。迷失于网络的青少年犯罪呈增长趋势 ,骗财骗物、敲诈、抢劫案件及危及人身安全的案件不断增加。要有效防治迷失于网络的青少年犯罪 ,需要家庭、学校及全社会的共同努力。应对青少年进行网络方面的教育和引导 ,加强网络安全的管理