ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the results of a qualitative case study examining criminal proceedings related to “social media crimes,” explicitly focusing on online hate speech that has led to criminal prosecution. All the cases analyzed were conducted and legally concluded in the Warsaw metropolitan area of Poland. The study had two objectives: first, to describe and evaluate the investigative strategies utilized by Polish law enforcement to identify offenders in social media-related crimes; and, second, to discern individual motivations behind the perpetration of online hate speech. Two primary investigative frameworks are employed for social media crimes. The first relies on collaboration with website administrators and telecommunications companies; this approach is effective if the offense occurs entirely on platforms administered by Polish entities. However, in all the cases analyzed involving foreign social media platforms, suspects were identified based on personal information disclosed in their profiles. From a criminological standpoint, all the individuals successfully prosecuted for social media hate speech in the cases analyzed could be classified as spontaneous amateurs who did not employ intricate operational security measures. Consistent with strain and self-control theories of crime, a qualitative analysis of the suspects’ official statements during criminal proceedings reveals that external stimuli, emotional factors, peer pressure, and alcohol consumption significantly influenced their behavior.
