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LiveScience Topics: Crime

Crime

Crime and criminal activity are studied widely in psychology, sociology and other research fields. LiveScience brings you news of the latest crime studies, from why criminals behave as they do to how culture, society and parenting cause juvenile delinquents to break the law. Also find news of improvements in forensic tools from better lie detectors to fingerprint technology.

Explore Crime

Sex Offenders Not a Halloween Scare

Study finds that the fear of sex offenders around Halloween is largely unwarranted.
The World's Greatest Hoaxes

As the Balloon Boy hoax unfolds, we look at some of the other greatest instances of the public being duped.
You Stink: Odorprints Revealed

Chemical biomarkers can reflect your state of health or state of mind.

More Crime News and Information

Did a Fictional Crime Inspire a Real One?

What would inspire a woman to perpetrate a hoaxed abduction, like Bonnie Sweeten did?
Drug Quells Urge to Steal

A drug given to kleptomaniacs took some of the fun out of stealing.
The Evolution of Human Aggression

Is there evolutionary reasoning that explains our aggressive tendencies?
Pentagon Official: U.S. Is Not Developing Space Weapons

The United States is not developing space weapons, a Pentagon official said Thursday.
Forensic Science System Needs Overhaul

The forensic science system needs vast change, a new report claims.
Scientist Catches Criminals Online

From poker-website phishing schemes to coordinated website attacks, Yampolskiy looks at activity patterns.
Law Proposed to Collect DNA from Shoplifters

DNA samples would be taken from suspects in cases as minor as shoplifting.
New RoboCop Operated by Cell Phone

Paul Blart, step aside.
Police Often Bungle Missing Child Cases

The case of Caylee Anthony reveals some trends about police work in missing persons cases.
Graffiti Triggers Crime and Littering

One form of rule-breaking can lead to more.
Do Lie Detectors Work?

Polygraphs don't actually out a liar.
Palm Scanning: Better Than Fingerprints

A new way to handle ID biometrics.
RE: FWD: Beware Hoax E-Mails!!!

Have you seen Penny Brown? You may have if you got an e-mail, with the subject line "Please look at this picture then forward".
Immigration Reduces Crime Rates

undergoing immigration are associated with less, not more, violence.
DNA Crime Lab Analysis: TV vs. Reality

Gathering DNA evidence is a lot tougher then it is portrayed.
New CSI Tool: Hair Reveals Where You've Been

Traces of isotopes from local drinking water can help track a person's movements.
The Reality of Fingerprinting Not Like TV Crime Labs

The FBI wishes matching fingerprints were as easy as the way it's shown on TV.
Identical Twins' DNA Varies

Scientists discover differences that really set identical twins apart.
Do Identical Twins Have Identical Fingerprints?
DNA to Decide if Headless Killer Faked Her Death

Headless body of Belle "the Black Widow" Gunness to get DNA test.
Bad Journalism Encourages Psychic Detectives

Two women vanish. Psychics appear. Police waste time.

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