We all want safer communities, right? Crime prevention can benefit our communities in countless ways, and stopping recidivism—repeat offenses—is a crucial part of that.
But how do we get there?
Restorative justice programs are helping people and neighborhoods heal while easing the strain on our overburdened criminal justice system. Let’s look at what these programs do to foster a safer, more just society.
Restorative justice programs bring together offenders, victims, families, and community members to talk openly and find a way forward. The main goals are to:
These programs are usually run by community groups, nonprofits, victim support organizations, government agencies, or correctional facilities.
Restorative justice programs come in many forms, each designed to address harm and support healing in different ways. Let’s break down the differences:
Victim impact panels give victims or their families a chance to relate how a crime has affected their lives. Offenders attend to listen and reflect, but they don’t interact directly with the victims. A moderator leads the panel to keep the tone civil.
Here’s what you can expect from a typical victim impact panel:
Victim offender mediation (VOM) brings the victim and offender together in a private, safe setting. With trained mediators there to guide the conversation, both sides share their feelings about what happened and try to find some common ground.
Things to know about victim offender mediation:
Community reparative boards (CRBs) are usually made up of volunteers and bring together victims, offenders, and community members. Offenders appear before these boards to accept responsibility for what they’ve done. Victims may attend or provide impact statements. The board then creates a restorative contract: a legal document laying out what happened, how the offender will make it right, and what positive changes they’ll make moving forward.
There are several benefits to using community reparative boards:
Think of this restorative justice approach as a formal “intervention.” Family group conferences bring together victims, offenders, families of both parties, and a trained facilitator. Everyone discusses how the crime affected them and how they can prevent it from happening again. The goal is to walk away with a reparative plan—a clear strategy for how the offender will make amends.
In a family group conference:
Circle sentencing is often practiced by Native American and other Indigenous communities. The victim and offender, their support networks, facilitators, and criminal justice representatives all attend. The group discusses their views about the crime and decides how the offender will make reparations.
Some circle sentencing programs involve community volunteers, like this mentoring program for juvenile offenders. For this type of program:
Restorative justice programs can deliver customized reparative plans or next steps for offenders, including:
The statistics on restorative justice and recidivism are encouraging!
A review of 22 studies showed that offenders in restorative justice programs were 27% less likely to reoffend than those who went to jail or were put on probation. Another study showed that community-based restorative justice programs led to 12% fewer repeat offenses compared to a control group.
Even as restorative justice reduces repeat offenses among participants, it can also offer significant benefits to victims. Victims report feeling more empowered and validated by the restorative justice experience. This process can also offer a lifeline to those awaiting closure from a strained criminal justice system.
Here’s what we’ve learned about restorative justice programs.
You can impact so many lives for the better in a criminal justice career. The University of Texas Permian Basin will set you up for professional success with a degree:
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
Just starting? Explore introductory criminal justice concepts and a mix of general education topics.
Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
Already earned a criminal justice-related bachelor’s degree? Gain the know-how to lead in criminal justice. Graduate in as little as one year.
Fascinated by restorative justice? Check out our elective course in Restorative Justice and Social Change.
Sources:
https://ncorj.org/
https://restorativejustice.org/
https://ninthcircuit.org/programs-services/neighborhood-restorative-justice
https://www.unodc.org/pdf/criminal_justice/Handbook_on_Restorative_Justice_Programmes.pdf
https://www.c4rj.org/documents/Restorative-Agreement-Website-Final.pdf
https://crimesolutions.ojp.gov/topics/restorative%20justice
We all want safer communities, right? Crime prevention can benefit our communities in countless ways, and stopping recidivism—repeat offenses—is a crucial part of that. But how do we get there? Restorative justice programs are helping people and neighborhoods heal while easing the strain on our overburdened criminal justice system. Let’s look at what these programs…
June is National Internet Safety Month in the United States: a time to spotlight online risks, particularly for children and teens. These efforts are especially crucial considering human trafficking—a modern form of slavery—continues to rise globally, with traffickers increasingly exploiting the internet to recruit victims. In this article, we’ll explore the extent of this humanitarian…
Technology drives progress in every field, and it’s helping criminal justice professionals make significant strides in identifying and apprehending suspects, keeping tabs on offenders, and more. Here we’ll look at how technology is transforming all sectors of the criminal justice system, including some controversies and issues related to its use. Investigation Forensic Algorithms Working in…
June is National Internet Safety Month in the United States: a time to spotlight online risks, particularly for children and teens. These efforts are especially crucial considering human trafficking—a modern form of slavery—continues to rise globally, with traffickers increasingly exploiting the internet to recruit victims.
In this article, we’ll explore the extent of this humanitarian emergency, the role of technology in trafficking, and actionable steps you can use to protect yourself and others.
Human trafficking involves the illegal transport and exploitation of individuals for forced labor or sexual slavery, and it’s one of the fastest-growing crimes worldwide. Between 2012 and 2022, U.S. convictions for human trafficking offenses doubled, while global cases surged by 400% from 2008 to 2019.
Although determining an exact number of victims is difficult, trends make it clear that human trafficking is on the rise.
The internet has become a powerful tool for traffickers to identify, groom, and recruit victims remotely. Here’s how:
We can all be part of the solution to human trafficking. Here are a few ways:
The United Nations recommends the following steps to protect yourself and your family from human traffickers:
Certain actions may indirectly contribute to human trafficking, including:
You can help thwart the efforts of human traffickers in a variety of meaningful roles and professional settings, including:
Want to make a difference? Online programs from The University of Texas Permian Basin—part of the acclaimed UT System—provide a path to rewarding criminal justice careers.
Led by faculty with extensive real-world criminal justice experience, our programs enable you to complete your studies anywhere, at your convenience, around shift work and your busy schedule.
Online BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
Gain foundational knowledge in criminal justice alongside general education courses that build essential soft skills.
Work in Texas law enforcement? Find out how you may be able to waive some tuition and fees for this program.
Online MS in Criminal Justice Administration
Finished your bachelor’s degree and ready for leadership roles? Learn advanced criminal justice concepts in a program you can finish in as little as one year.
Sources:
https://polarisproject.org/human-trafficking-and-social-media/
https://humantraffickingfront.org/the-use-of-the-internet-to-recruit-children-by-traffickers/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/no-more-fomo/202501/social-media-and-loneliness-a-dangerous-pairhttps://www.un.org/en/peace-and-security/understanding-human-trafficking
Technology drives progress in every field, and it’s helping criminal justice professionals make significant strides in identifying and apprehending suspects, keeping tabs on offenders, and more. Here we’ll look at how technology is transforming all sectors of the criminal justice system, including some controversies and issues related to its use.
Working in tandem with law enforcement, crime scene investigators are forensic specialists who collect and assess evidence using technology. Recent studies have employed different types of forensic algorithms to determine the identities of individuals of interest, including:
These algorithms have a strong accuracy record and low incidence of bias due to limited human involvement, but some agencies lack the training, technology, and other resources required to harness these tools.
Law enforcement personnel are increasingly employing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones. In fact, American law enforcement agencies used 54% more drones in 2024 than they did in 2018. These camera-equipped tools assist police in duties from locating suspects and missing people to performing reconnaissance prior to planned operations.
Drones can quickly cover more ground than officers on foot and can easily access areas such as roofs, treetops, and hilltops. They keep law enforcement personnel safe by allowing them to monitor potentially dangerous situations from a distance. However, drones may also raise privacy concerns for individuals not involved in police investigations.
A gunshot can come from any direction, and its sound can echo off surrounding structures, creating confusion about its point of origin. To address this, law enforcement agencies are now using shot-locating sensor technology to pinpoint the location of snipers or others who are endangering the public in cities from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Washington, D.C.
Though some of these systems have purported accuracy rates of 97%, they’re not without controversy. The installation of hundreds of microphones in public places has prompted debates about privacy, and the choice of locations for the microphone-equipped sensors can be contentious, as residents of those areas may feel unfairly targeted.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, some courts had never tried cases remotely. Practically overnight, many of them adopted technology that has enabled them to hold hearings and hear cases online. By early 2021, Texas judges had held more than one million court hearings remotely.
The technology used included cameras, microphones, and videoconferencing applications—tools that became very familiar to many during the pandemic. Brick-and-mortar courtrooms had to have some of these tools installed.
Some courts reported unanticipated benefits of virtual courtrooms, including increased efficiency and greater participation, though concerns about unequal access to the virtual option have been raised. Like many workplaces, courts are shifting to a hybrid arrangement as the health landscape changes, with judges typically choosing their venue.
Standing at nearly six feet tall, AI-driven robots outfitted with night vision technology, heat detectors, and 360-degree cameras are gliding through the halls of a Cobb County, Georgia, jail, supplementing the efforts of the human security personnel who work there. These robots operate mostly autonomously but can be controlled by humans when necessary.
GPS technology isn’t just for navigation. It’s now informing probation officers when a probationer or parolee with an ankle monitoring device has crossed the borders of their monitoring area or isn’t where they’re supposed to be when they’re supposed to be, such as at home right after work. These GPS devices are more versatile than their older radio frequency counterparts.
Criminal justice is a multifaceted field that’s equally challenging and rewarding. The University of Texas Permian Basin offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees that can set you up for success in a variety of related careers, whether you’re eager to enter the field or ready to advance beyond your current role.
Both programs are led by faculty who’ve worked in a diverse range of roles within criminal justice and can give you an insider’s perspective of the field. And there are other benefits:
Let’s take a closer look at these programs:
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
This program provides a thorough introduction to core criminal justice principles alongside a foundation in varied general education subjects. You’ll explore the structure and key components of the justice system, theoretical perspectives on crime, and topics essential for starting a career in public service.
See where graduates of this UTPB criminal justice program are working.
Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
If you’ve already completed a criminal justice or related bachelor’s degree, immerse yourself in current issues as you develop the skills to pinpoint problem areas and implement strategies that protect both your organization and the community. No GRE or thesis is required for this program, which you can complete in as little as one year.
See where graduates of this UTPB criminal justice program are working.
Apply to your choice of program today!
Sources:
https://www.soundthinking.com/faqs/shotspotter-faqs/
https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en-us/posts/government/future-of-law-enforcement-technology/
Everyone loves a good crime story. The inherent drama gives audiences a vicarious glimpse of life that they, fortunately, are never likely to face firsthand. But do these stories influence what people really believe about criminal activity?
Academic George Gerbner coined the term “mean world syndrome” during the 1970s to describe the perception of the world as a perilous place (more so than studies may suggest): a phenomenon that may stem from violence-saturated media. Statistics show violent crime declining, but a 2023 Gallup poll found that 77% of Americans still believe crime is increasing nationally.
Gerbner’s cultivation theory, dating to the 1960s, also posits that ongoing exposure to media distorts our perception of the world. It’s notable that studies differ on whether media causes violence and crime or just instills a belief that these are more prevalent.
Let’s consider the ways entertainment media has influenced public views on criminal activity and the social consequences of these views, occasionally referencing some popular titles along the way.
Serial Killers: Rare, Not Rampant
Hannibal Lecter, the educated, articulate, and occasionally charming antagonist of “The Silence of the Lambs” made a lasting impression on film audiences. His personality and ability to evade capture through ever-more clever methods made him an iconic character. But while some serial killers are highly educated, they’re exceedingly rare. Fewer than 2% of murders are the work of serial killers.
Violent Crimes: Not the Norm
While violent crimes understandably stoke the greatest fear, theft is five times more common. According to the FBI, just 0.38% of Americans experience violent crimes, while nearly 2% are victims of theft. Of course, unless a theft is particularly complex and consequential, it lacks the visceral appeal of violent crime onscreen.
Law Enforcement: Beyond the Action Hero
While all first responders can be considered heroes, John McClane from “Die Hard,” a lone wolf police officer who singlehandedly (and with few resources) thwarted a host of brutal terrorists, is a rare hero indeed. The cop who goes to great lengths—and here, heights—to stop the bad guys using creative but unlikely methods is almost exclusively the work of fiction.
Stereotype and Bias Reinforcement
Stereotypical depictions of on-screen criminals’ ethnicity or socioeconomic status can contribute to misconceptions that criminals typically fit certain demographic profiles. Likewise, films featuring corruption and dysfunction within law enforcement, from “The Departed” to “Training Day” to “Dark Blue,” can reinforce biases against law enforcement.
Desensitization to Real Suffering
Desensitization to screen violence as a catalyst for violent behavior in viewers is a contentious topic. But desensitization in another sense—stemming from turning real-life tragedies into entertainment—creates its own concerns. True crime stories can be engrossing, but the public may lose empathy for the real victims of these events.
Policy Impact
While murder rates have been falling in recent years, the public’s perception of these rates is rising, driven to some extent by the overrepresentation of crime in entertainment and news. As a result, some public officials are proposing or enacting tough, punitive policies that may not align with actual criminal trends.
While media portrayals often exaggerate criminal activity for dramatic purposes and diverge from reality, education can bridge this gap. Understanding the realities of criminal activity and the criminal justice system is crucial for:
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers online criminal justice degree programs that provide an accurate, comprehensive understanding of crime, law enforcement, and the justice system. Led by faculty who have worked extensively in the criminal justice field, these programs equip you with knowledge and credentials that provide a strong foundation for a diverse range of rewarding careers.
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
Get started with an enlightening review of criminal justice concepts complemented by a diverse range of soft skill-enhancing general education subjects. If you’re a member of Texas law enforcement, you may be able to waive a portion of tuition and fees for this undergraduate program. Contact UTPB’s financial aid team for details.
See potential career paths and salaries associated with this UTPB degree.
Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
Ready for graduate studies with no GRE or thesis requirements? This program provides an advanced examination of criminal justice issues that’s especially valuable for individuals working in the field and seeking to become more impactful leaders.
See potential career paths and salaries associated with this UTPB degree.
Both programs enable you to complete your studies on your schedule from just about any location. Whether you’re dealing with shift work, personal obligations, or other commitments, you can earn a career-boosting degree online from UTPB!
Sources:
https://www.simplypsychology.org/cultivation-theory.html
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/new-evidence-suggests-media-violence-effects-may-be-minimal
https://www.apa.org/topics/video-games/violence-harmful-effects
https://thecord.ca/the-impact-of-media-on-public-perception-of-crime-and-criminal-justice/
https://johnhoward.ca/blog/media-portrayals-crime-create-problems/
https://www.silvalegal.com/the-impact-of-media-on-public-perception-of-crime-and-the-criminal-justice-system/
Technology is harnessed to promote efficiency, accuracy, and accountability in all manner of professions. But even as it introduces new benefits, it can bring a variety of new concerns and controversies. Such is certainly true of the recent technological advances in policing.
Here we’ll discuss a few types of technology used in the modern criminal justice system and outline both their merits and some of the potential problems that have accompanied their implementation.
These devices, also called “body cameras,” are worn by police while on duty and record their interactions with the public.
Pros:
Body-worn cameras increase accountability by helping to confirm whether an officer’s response, e.g., using a weapon, was appropriate to the circumstances. They can also help engender positive attitudes toward police among the community, documenting dramatic scenes that demonstrate their heroism and occupational risks, such as rushing to free a trapped individual from a flaming car.
Cons:
While body camera footage has been instrumental in some legal cases, many suggest these devices violate the public’s privacy and paint an incomplete, biased picture of police incidents. Cost can also hinder their widespread use.
Predictive policing software programs use “algorithms to analyze massive amounts of information in order to predict and help prevent potential future crimes,” a scenario that echoes the 1956 novella (and later film) “Minority Report.”
Pros:
This technology uses real-world data to identify high-crime areas with extreme accuracy. It may make policing more cost-effective and efficient by guiding law enforcement to direct their efforts where crime is most likely to occur.
Cons:
Concerns about predictive policing software range from inadequate transparency from law enforcement agencies to the potential for racial bias influencing police actions. The Los Angeles Police Department is one prominent agency that suspended use of these programs due to complaints.
Facial recognition captures images of faces, often in places such as public streets, and compares them to images in crime databases to identify potential suspects.
Pros:
Facial recognition can be used to identify criminals and terrorists in large crowds.
Cons:
Many people—not just criminals—object to being captured on camera without their consent. Some agencies that use the technology lack policies that protect the public’s civil liberties. Further, facial recognition can be outsmarted by those who know the techniques. And when the technology misidentifies a suspect, the negative consequences can be lasting for the wrongly accused, such as these three men who were jailed.
In use since the 1990s, these gun-like instruments shoot darts that penetrate the skin or clothing and deliver an electric shock to the recipient. They remain on the radar of civil rights advocates in the 21st century.
Pros:
Tasers provide police officers with a nonlethal way to subdue violent or problematic suspects.
Cons:
There have been documented incidents of Tasers harming and even killing suspects, including one man who died of a heart attack. The coroner’s report characterized the cause of death as homicide. In some cases of an individual acting strangely or not cooperating police with officers, the issue is not criminality but potentially a mental health crisis. Yet these encounters can also end in death.
Without question, technology will continue to drive progress in many fields. Balancing the needs of law enforcement and the civil rights and ethical concerns of citizens will remain major challenges.
Technology is just one of the complexities of law enforcement and criminal justice professions in general. Explore many aspects of the field and earn credentials that can help you qualify for new jobs and career advancement in our online programs:
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
Our online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies offers a comprehensive introduction to essential criminal justice principles as well as grounding in a wide range of general education topics. You’ll explore the components and framework of our justice system, theoretical perspectives on crime, and related topics necessary for launching a public service career.
Program benefits include:
See where UTPB’s BS in criminology and criminal justice studies graduates are working.
Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
Do you already hold a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field? If so, continue the journey with our online MS in criminal justice administration, where you’ll delve deeply into contemporary issues as you cultivate the expertise to identify problem areas and implement measures to safeguard your agency and the community.
Program benefits include:
See where UTPB’s MS in criminal justice administration are working.
The asynchronous, 100% online format of both our criminal justice programs empowers you to complete coursework on your own timeline from practically anywhere on the planet. You don’t have to visit campus or give up your professional or personal commitments to earn your degree. And you don’t have to overpay, as our tuition rates are some of the most affordable among accredited universities. U.S. News & World Report even named UT Permian Basin one of its Best Value Schools.
Pick your program and apply today!
Sources:
https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/research-body-worn-cameras-and-law-enforcement
https://www.axon.com/resources/police-body-cam
https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/230414.pdf
https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/feature/Pros-and-cons-of-facial-recognition
The FBI reported that in 2017, violent crimes occurred every 24.6 seconds in the United States, including a murder every 30.5 minutes, a rape every 3.9 minutes, and a robbery every 1.7 minutes. Not to be overlooked are property crimes, which were happening at an astonishingly rapid rate—every 4.1 seconds.
So, what drives individuals to commit such heinous acts? Is it their upbringing, a mental disorder, or perhaps trauma endured during childhood?
To gain a deeper understanding of why offenders engage in violent activities, we must look beyond their motivations. Instead, analyzing their psyche becomes key to unlocking what truly motivates them.
The field of psychology focuses on analyzing the mind and behavior of individuals. Professionals in psychology-related careers, such as forensic psychologists and correctional psychologists, leverage this analytical mindset to make important contributions to the fields of criminology and criminal justice.
When we examine the behaviors of specific offenders and the underlying motivations that drive their criminal conduct, we move closer to understanding why these crimes occur—and closer to developing early intervention strategies that could help prevent some of these crimes in the future.
When someone commits a crime, there’s often one or more psychological factors contributing to their negative behavior. Below, we’ll explore some common psychological elements associated with criminal offenders:
In 2017, researchers conducted a study involving a random sampling of 228 prisoners, composed of 114 women and 114 men. Among the test subjects, 87.3% of the women and 83.3% of the men had a personality disorder at the time they committed their crime. While numerous personality disorders can impact a person’s likelihood of committing a crime, the following disorders are most often seen in people who’ve committed crimes:
Is there a direct correlation between childhood trauma and criminal behavior? Studies show that when a child undergoes a life-altering experience, such as physical abuse, neglect, or witnessing the death of a friend or family member at the hands of another, the repercussions can be long-lasting.
Sometimes, symptoms of trauma such as hostility and paranoid ideation persist into adulthood and can lead victims to engage in criminal activities. The likelihood increases with continued traumas, such as when an adolescent experiences repeat violence in their community.
Furthermore, the National Institute of Justice states that individuals are more likely to become repeat criminal offenders if they’ve experienced prolonged trauma and have adopted emotional detachment as a coping mechanism. By disconnecting from their emotions, they may be able to intentionally disconnect from the emotional impact of past traumas as well as the feelings associated with committing a crime.
In 2015, there were approximately 1.3 million individuals behind bars in the United States. A significant proportion of that number were serving sentences primarily for non-violent crimes and drug-related offenses.
So, why are so many people with substance abuse issues getting incarcerated?
Addiction affects the brain and changes its functionality, causing people to change how they think, perceive the world, and behave. Sometimes a person’s addiction leads them to committing harmful and illegal actions, such as domestic violence and theft.
Psychology and criminal behavior are closely intertwined. Understanding the relationship between the two can help professionals in both fields address, treat, and prevent criminal behavior. The question is, which field interests you professionally?
At UTPB, we offer an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and an online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies, so you can choose the path that aligns with your career goals and personal interests. However, selecting one program doesn’t restrict you from exploring the other.
Once you’ve chosen the right program for you, consider enhancing your expertise by selecting a minor that complements your major. For example, if you pursue a BA in psychology, you have the option to earn a minor in criminology and criminal justice studies, or vice versa. This flexibility ensures you can tailor your education to meet your unique interests and career objectives.
Regardless of which path you choose, our programs are entirely online, giving you the flexibility to complete coursework on your schedule. In addition, we offer affordable tuition regardless of your location and provide start dates year-round, so you can begin this next chapter in your life when it’s right for you.
Not sure where to start? Contact us, and when you’re ready, your application is only a click away.
Sources:
https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2017/crime-in-the-u.s.-2017/topic-pages/crime-clock
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41488081
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5742412/
https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/examining-relationship-between-childhood-trauma-and-involvement-justice-system
https://www.addictionhelp.com/addiction/crime/#
When you live in one country your entire life—or even for just a few years—you begin to feel accustomed to how its justice system works. In the United States, for example, there are two types of legal cases: criminal and civil. In addition, all defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty and have the right to a fair trial. Many Americans consider these and other tenets of our legal system so intrinsic and essential that they might also think them universal. But that’s not always the case.
So, how do legal systems abroad contrast with the American justice system?
Today, we’re comparing the essential components that form legal systems worldwide so we can understand how the American approach to justice compares to other countries around the globe.
There are two main types of legal systems used around the world: civil and common law. Below, we discuss the biggest distinctions between the two along with the geographical regions where they’re employed.
Civil law has its origins in ancient Rome, dating back to 450 B.C. Originally, it consisted of a general code of laws for its citizens based on past traditions. Today, the concept of civil law involves a written constitution with specific codes and statutes that protect people’s rights and duties. Many countries in Central and South America, as well as most of Central and Eastern Europe and some East Asian countries, follow the civil law system.
The biggest difference between civil and common law revolves around how each system crafts and carries out its laws. Civil law relies on written statutes created by the lawmakers of a country. In other words, the people who work for the government make the rules, and the people of the country follow those guidelines.
Common law began as a British tradition dating back to the 12th century. Unlike civil law, this legal system embraces precedent rather than statutes. A precedent is an example set by previous court decisions. So, as new cases are introduced, judges defer to past cases to help inform and make their future decisions.
For example, let’s say your friend is suing her neighbor for roof damages caused by the house fire next door. The judge on your friend’s case may look at the resolutions in similar past cases to determine how to make a fair ruling.
Since its inception, common law has spread to North America (including the U.S.) and many other former British colonies, including Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Apart from being rooted in either civil or common law, there are a few other differences between the American justice system and those of other countries.
The adversarial and inquisitorial systems are two different approaches used to conduct trials in court cases. Below, we differentiate between the two:
More than 70% of the world’s countries have discontinued capital punishment. Whether a country permits the death penalty goes beyond civil and common law. Some countries that fall under each legal system maintain that capital punishment is a method of punishment that deters other people from committing similar crimes. Other countries, however, consider it a violation of human rights, especially when there’s no guarantee that the accused individual was guilty of the crime.
While many of the United States’ allies have abolished the death penalty, some states within the U.S. still allow capital punishment for crimes of a serious nature, like murder or genocide. Some of the other countries that also currently enforce capital punishment include:
If you’re interested in deepening your understanding of our justice system and gaining a skillset that’ll help you earn a leadership role in the field of criminal justice, The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online MS in Criminal Justice Administration program offers all of the courses to set those goals in motion.
Not only is the program entirely online, making it more accessible as you continue your current role and complete your courses, but it’s also ranked #5 in the nation for Best Law Enforcement Administration Graduate Programs—and it can be completed in as little as one year.
In addition to your required courses, you can choose from exciting elective courses that align with your interests and career goals, such as:
Browse our course list to see all our available classes. When you’re ready to take the next step, apply to start the next chapter in your career in criminal justice.
Sources:
https://ppp.worldbank.org/public-private-partnership/legislation-regulation/framework-assessment/legal-systems/common-vs-civil-law
https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba-cms-dotorg/products/inv/book/417398552/chptr1_1620816_trialadvocacy.pdf
https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2015/07/the-civil-law-system-global-legal-collection-highlights
https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/policy-issues/international
In a recent poll centered around true crime, half of participants gave the chilling genre their nod of approval. If you can’t get enough of these gritty stories, consider yourself among the 13% of respondents that claimed it’s their favorite genre. While it’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason true crime has become such a phenomenon, one factor is likely that these often graphic real-life nightmares feed our innate desire to solve the unsolvable. Some people, however, take their love for mysteries to the next level.
Known as armchair detectives, these everyday members of society use their sleuthing abilities—and Wi-Fi connections—to solve these unresolved mysteries. While some armchair detectives have found success in solving decades-old cases, others have ruined lives by falsely accusing innocent individuals. Today we’re doing some sleuthing of our own as we dig into the world of armchair detectives and their relationship to true crime stories. Join us as we debate whether they’re helpful or harmful in their quest to unravel unsolved crimes.
Whether you get your murder mystery fix during your morning commute or while you’re chopping veggies for dinner, one thing is for sure—true crime is taking over podcasts and television in a big way. But what exactly is a “true crime”?
True crime is a non-fiction genre found in a multitude of mediums. It dissects the stories of real-life violent crimes, including kidnappings, murders, serial murders, sexual assault, robbery, and more. And while we may not have a list of the best true crime podcasts on hand, we do know the secret list of ingredients that most mediums use to create the most addictive content, such as:
An armchair detective is someone who enjoys solving mysteries from home. While they may feel the call of the investigative trench coat, they don’t actually need to leave the comfort of their chairs thanks to modern advancements like the internet. Once they find a case they’re passionate about, they have several tools at their fingertips, including:
While the idea of untrained (and unlicensed) detectives solving true crimes from their living rooms may seem farfetched, their theories and extensive computer-sleuthing skills have aided in solving long-unsolved murders and crimes. For example, in the documentary “Don’t F**k With Cats,” a group of ordinary people banded together to identify a man who’d been posting disturbing videos online. With the help of public video footage, online maps, and a heated social media discussion forum used to discuss their theories, they were able to find a murderer that had previously roamed free.
But the inquisitive nature of armchair detectives doesn’t always end with a happily ever after or a conviction of the guilty party. When it comes to cold cases, an onslaught of theories or “leads” from armchair detectives can turn into hours of futile work for detectives who are currently working 40 or more hours a week on more recent, open cases.
There have also been reports of amateur detectives distracting investigators and providing police departments with false accusations and rumors. For example, in 2022, four college students were murdered in the college town of Moscow, Idaho. Before a suspect was in custody, armchair detectives took to the internet to find the killer. One of those internet investigators claimed that a professor was guilty of initiating the plan to have the students murdered. While police later debunked this theory, this brazen claim altered the reputation of the accused and resulted in a lawsuit against the armchair detective who made the false statement.
From the successful documentary “The Staircase” to the countless true crime podcasts you can sift through like a sugar addict searching for their next sweet fix, it seems like this pop culture fad is here to stay. If you’re interested in translating your armchair enthusiasm for true crime into a fulfilling career, one of UT Permian Basin’s online criminal justice programs can help.
Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
UTPB’s online undergraduate criminology and criminal justice studies program is ideal for students seeking a thorough grasp of the criminal justice system, including corrections, courts, and law enforcement. Not only do our experienced professors provide a rigorous, research-based curriculum, but the online format makes it simple for you to choose from a wide selection of courses that align with your busy schedule.
Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
Our online graduate criminal justice administration program is ideal for individuals looking for a deeper understanding of the world of criminal justice and ready to enact positive change. Whether you’re already a working professional in the industry or recently completed your bachelor’s degree, you can complete this 30-credit program entirely online at your own pace.
Your courses will help you:
Interested in learning more? Request more information or take the next step and apply to the program that’s right for you.
Sources:
https://today.yougov.com/topics/entertainment/articles-reports/2022/09/14/half-of-americans-enjoy-true-crime-yougov-poll
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/25/tiktok-sleuth-ashley-guillard-rebecca-scofield-defamation-idaho-murders
Welcome back to our exploration of serial killers, featuring an interview with Dr. John Fisher, coordinator and assistant professor in UT Permian Basin’s criminal justice program and author of Profiling crime: Exploring serial murder and other crime. (See part 1 here.) Read on to discover what serial killers really want, how they can live undetected among us, which serial murderer Dexter was partly based on, and what’s happening to their numbers.
We spent some time with Dr. Fisher discussing serial killer Dennis Rader, aka the BTK Killer, who committed numerous murders between the 1970s and 1990s before laying low for about 13 years. After a local paper ran a story on him, Rader began sending letters and evidence to local media outlets. Within a year he was apprehended, leading us to ask, “Do some serial killers want to be caught?”
“Serial killers enjoy the attention,” Dr. Fisher explained. “It’s not so much wanting to get caught. They go out of their way not to get caught. And what was weird about BTK was that he did stop. The profile is that serial killers will not stop until they’re dead or they’ve been incarcerated on another charge. BTK broke that profile.” When Rader sent a floppy disk to a television station, it was his own undoing. Metadata on that disk revealed the document was created on a nearby church computer. Further investigation took place. “They arrested him and everything else is history. Now he’s in prison. Nobody expected that BTK was Dennis Rader.”
Rader was a married man with two children, a job, a nonclerical position at his local church, and Boy Scout leader duties: an unlikely description for a serial killer. How then do some highly social serial killers manage to go undetected among society? Dr. Fisher explained:
“You’ve seen [the TV series] Dexter? Dexter is a copy of the BTK Killer. He spent 10 to 15 years without killing anybody, just up in the logging community doing whatever he did. Your highly evolved, highly organized serial murderers like to see what they’re doing. They like to track what they’re doing in the news, but they don’t want to get caught. So, they go [to] extremes to hide what they’re doing.
“Like Ted Bundy, they’re very social people, and nobody would ever expect that they had this ‘dark passenger,’ this bloodlust that they had to fulfill. Dennis Rader and Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy, they all wanted to hide the fact that they were serial killers, but they liked the attention that they were getting. They marry, they have kids, they do everything that’s expected of them in society. Although the profile suggests that as a sociopath, they have no conscience or ability to show feelings and emotions like the rest of us, so they have to fake it.”
Sometimes a killer’s sophistication and intellect enable an extended spree. Dr. Fisher cited Ted Bundy as an example: “He dropped out of law school. And his early spree, his early murders were extremely sophisticated. He would abduct in one place, kill in another place, and discard in a third, so you’ve got three actual crime scenes, and it makes it harder for people to find. Ted Bundy started in Washington, [then] went to Utah and Colorado. And every time people started getting close to seeing who he was, and identifying him as a serial murderer, he would move to the next location. Once he got to Florida, he completely devolved. He targeted and killed all those women in that [Florida State University] sorority. What normally catches an organized serial killer is that they devolve into a disorganized serial killer. And a disorganized serial killer makes mistakes.”
Perhaps the first “famous” (or infamous) serial killer, H.H. Holmes—an American who was active in the late 19th century—predates Jack the Ripper by two years. America led in number of serial killers throughout the 20th century. However, the number has dropped sharply here since the 1980s when it hit its peak, though Dr. Fisher noted that serial murderers have always been greater in notoriety than number. Broader awareness, increased vigilance, and earlier detection are some factors that may explain the decrease. Irrespective of what may happen to our pop culture preoccupation with serial killers, let’s hope the horrific real-life crime trend continues its decline.
Dr. Fisher oversees and teaches within UT Permian Basin’s criminal justice degree program. Both degrees are offered online and equip you with the knowledge to create positive change within the criminal justice system. Choose the program that matches your educational and professional experience level:
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
If you’re interested in credentials that can propel your criminal justice career, apply to your UTPB program of choice today. And please note, if you plan to take any of our serial killer-related courses, Dr. Fisher says, “they fill pretty quickly.” Don’t miss out!
Sources:
https://www.newsweek.com/most-notable-serial-killers-us-history-why-they-fascinate-us-1748596
https://www.britannica.com/topic/serial-murder
https://www.yourbasin.com/news/what-makes-a-serial-killer
If you ask Dr. John Fisher, assistant professor and coordinator for UTPB’s criminal justice program and author of Profiling crime: Exploring serial murder and other crime, he’ll tell you that the term “serial killer” is a misnomer. “We need to change the nomenclature on that because it’s murder. It’s serial murder.” While the terminology may change in the public lexicon, our widespread fascination with serial murderers seems unlikely to. For insight, we tapped Dr. Fisher’s extensive expertise on the common traits of serial killers, what intrigues us most about them, and why someone might progress from murderer to serial murderer.
Dr. Fisher outlined some demographic characteristics common to serial killers, explaining that they tend to be white, balding, highly intelligent males in their 20s to 40s. We then turned to character traits: “This is a controversial discussion,” Dr. Fisher said. “The Macdonald triad is bedwetting beyond the average age, zoosadism, where you’re abusing animals, and then you start dissecting and killing animals. And the third is pyromania. Just because you have these characteristics, does not necessarily mean you’re going to grow up to be a serial killer, but what [forensic psychiatrist J. M.] MacDonald found is that all the serial killers he interviewed had these three traits.”
If popular culture is any indication, we have an ongoing obsession with serial killers. Netflix, as just one example, has a dedicated true crime section featuring dozens of programs, many of which are expensively produced documentaries, dramatizations, or original dramas about serial killers. As a topic of “entertainment,” the genre is certainly nothing new, with films dating back to at least 1909.
We asked Dr. Fisher why people are so fascinated with serial killers and predators in general. He explained: “There was an old adage that came out of a New York newspaper: ‘If it bleeds, it leads.’ We as a society are interested in power. That intrigues us. So, the eagle, the falcon, the hawk, the bobcat, the lions, the tigers, and bears. They all have power. They’re all aggressive. They’re all predators. And we give respect to the alpha male. We give respect to the alpha dog of the wolfpack. As a society, we denigrate the delta, right? Or the bravo. Because he’s weak. He’s not masculine. He has no power, where the alpha does. A serial murderer is probably the epitome of that alpha domination.”
“And then we’re interested in why somebody would want to do this. We’re taught that we’re not supposed to kill other people. So, what would cause a person to go out to target, to stalk, to track, and then to kill somebody? We are a society, a community that’s very inquisitive. And if we don’t envision ourselves in this kind of life or doing these kinds of things, then we wonder why other people would do that.”
Though an abundance of notorious cases may incline us to picture the modern serial killer as American, that’s not always the case. “Serial murder goes on around the world,” Dr. Fisher explained. “Every country in the world has their own serial murderers. The difference is that the United States talks about them. Israel has a serial murderer. There’s a serial cannibal that is in Japan. There’s a history of serial murder around the world. It’s not unique to the United States.”
With many serial killers continuing to murder until they’re caught or dead—or even resuming the habit upon release from prison—we raised the question of the potential role of addiction. “Once a dog has tasted human blood, you have to put him down because he’s gonna keep going back after it again and again and again,” Dr. Fisher explained. “As much as we don’t like to admit it, we are also part of the animal kingdom. Once we find something that we like, we go back to it like a moth to a flame. It’s just our genetics and the way that we’re made. We do the things that we like to do. It’s gonna sound a little religious, but you’ve got this lust of the flesh, and you give in to appease those lusts and desires. Some people, it’s chocolate. Some people, it’s hiking or extreme sports. Some people, it’s rape and murder.”
Learn directly from Dr. Fisher and other experts who’ve worked in the criminal justice system as you earn a degree that can be your introduction to the field or position you for an agency leadership role.
Don’t miss part 2 of this article, where we’ll discuss which serial murderer seemingly inspired the television show Dexter, what serial killers crave the most, how they sometimes hide in plain sight, and where the serial killer trend is headed.
Sources:
https://www.newsweek.com/most-notable-serial-killers-us-history-why-they-fascinate-us-1748596
https://www.britannica.com/topic/serial-murder
https://www.yourbasin.com/news/what-makes-a-serial-killer