ABSTRACT

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 https://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license. 

section Section 1|174 pages

Disciplinary contributions to crime science

chapter 2|10 pages

Evolutionary psychology

chapter 3|9 pages

Genetics

chapter 4|11 pages

Sociology

chapter 5|16 pages

Psychology

chapter 6|18 pages

Economics

chapter 7|20 pages

Epidemiology

chapter 8|14 pages

Mathematics

chapter 9|14 pages

Geography

chapter 10|22 pages

Architecture

chapter 11|12 pages

Engineering

chapter 12|11 pages

Computer science

chapter 13|15 pages

Forensic science

section Section 2|251 pages

Crime science in action

chapter 14|16 pages

Social network analysis

chapter 17|19 pages

Evolution, crime science and terrorism

The case of Provisional IRA weaponry

chapter 21|11 pages

Transdisciplinary research in virtual space

Can online warning messages reduce engagement with child exploitation material?

chapter 22|14 pages

Those who do big bad things still do little bad things

Re-stating the case for self-selection policing

chapter 24|17 pages

Economic efficiency and the detection of crime

A case study of Hong Kong policing

chapter 25|17 pages

No need for X-ray specs

Through-the-wall radar for operational policing

chapter 26|9 pages

Electronic noses

The chemistry of smell and security