Crimes and Prevention
NIJ performs research in and evaluations of many specific types of crime — from more traditional crime, such as gun crime and child abuse, to emerging crime, such as identity theft and human trafficking.
Find Information on Crime and Prevention
Within the pages linked below, you will find information on perpetrators and victims, prevention and intervention programs and strategies, prevalence statistics and additional Web and print resources, from policy papers to research reports and the latest on NIJ’s research agendas.
Crimes and Prevention topics on NIJ.gov are divided into nine main categories and subtopics within each category.
Crime Against Specific Populations
Developmental Difficulties of Abuse Children
Impact of Child Abuse and Maltreatment on Delinquency, Arrest and Victimization
Child Interviews and the Prosecution of Child Abuse
Child Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence
Elder Abuse as a Criminal Problem
Financial Exploitation of Elders
Hate Crime Prevalence and Victimization
What Motivates Hate Offenders?
Intimate Partner (Domestic) Violence
Causes and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence
Extent of Intimate Partner Violence
Measuring Intimate Partner Violence
Economic Distress and Intimate Partner Violence
Shelters Meet Needs of Victims of Intimate Partner Violence
Arrests and Dual Arrests, Intimate Partner Violence
Murder Suicide of Intimate Partners
Comparing the Danger Posed by Partner Stalkers Versus Non-Partner Stalkers
Comparing Abusive Partners Who Do and Do Not Stalk
Fear, Psychological Distress and Health Impacts
Impact on Children, Friends and Family
Practical Implications of Domestic Violence Research (NIJ ePub)
Ch 1. Overview of Domestic Violence
Ch 3. Perpetrator Characteristics
Other Web Resources on Violence Against Women
Publications on Violence Against Women
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Program of Research
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Section 904 Task Force
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Section 904 Researchers' Workshop
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Federal Stakeholders and Partnerships
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Building Upon Prior Research
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Primary Data Collection
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Secondary Data Analysis
Crime Prevention Research
Crime Prevention Research Working Group
Effectively Combating Transnational Organized Crime
Major Transnational Organized Crime Groups
Research Findings on Transnational Organized Crime
Internet and Electronic Crimes
Extent and Patterns of Identity Theft
Recording and Reporting Identity Theft
Law Enforcement Issues and Response
Issues That Need More Research
Conclusions and Recommendations from the ID Theft Research Review
Study Methodology and Limitations of the ID Theft Research Review
Digital Evidence and Forensics
Digital Evidence Investigative Tools
Preventing Data Loss When Seizing Electronic Devices of Interest
Identifying Intrusion and Unauthorized Activities
Acquiring Data From Networked Computers
Enhancing "At-the-Scene" Digital Analysis Capabilities of First Responders
Digital Evidence Analysis Tools
Metadata Analysis and Extraction
Macintosh Digital Forensic Tools
Digital Forensics Standards and Capacity Building
The Electronic Crime Technology Center of Excellence
Computer Forensic Tool Testing Program
Digital Forensic Guides
Digital Evidence in the Courtroom: A Guide for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors
Forensic Examination of Digital Evidence: A Guide for Law Enforcement
Electronic Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for First Responders, Second Edition
Electronic Crime Scene Investigation: An On-the-Scene Reference for First Responders
Neighborhoods and Crime
Neighborhoods and Crime Research Working Group Meeting Summary
Fire and Arson Investigation: Research and Development Projects
Identity Theft (a research review)
Extent and Patterns of Identity Theft
Recording and Reporting Identity Theft
Law Enforcement Issues and Response to Identity Theft
Identity Theft Issues That Need More Research
Conclusions and Recommendations on Identity Theft
DNA Evidence and Property Crimes
Using DNA to Solve Property Crimes
The DNA Field Experiment: Testing Cost Effectiveness
How the DNA Field Experiment Was Performed
Summary Findings of the DNA Field Experiment
Evaluating the DNA Field Experiment
Policy Implications of Using DNA to Solve Property Crimes
School Safety Planning and Programs
Effective School Safety Programs
Measuring Frequency of Sexual Assault on Campus
Most Victims of Sexual Assault on Campuses Know Their Attacker
Factors That Increase Sexual Assault Risk
Self-Defense Against on Sexual Assault on Campus
Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault on Campuses
Awareness, Education and Prevention of Sexual Assault on Campuses
Public Order Offenses
Research and Evaluation Priorities
Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003
Research Findings on Prison Rape
Ongoing Prison Rape Research, Future Directions
Most Victims Know Their Attacker
Factors That Increase Sexual Assault Risk
Supervision of Sex Offenders (includes registration)
Sex Offender Registration and Notification: Limited Effects in New Jersey
Sex Offender Residency Restrictions: How Mapping Can Inform Policy
NIJ's Role in Terrorism Research
Terrorism Databases for Analysis
Improving the Criminal Justice Response
Assessing Potential High-risk Targets
Terrorist Links to Other Crimes
Terrorism's Organization, Structure and Culture
Other Web Resources on Terrorism
Trafficking and Smuggling
Nature and Extent of Human Trafficking
Detecting, Investigating and Prosecuting Traffickers
Reducing Demand for Human Trafficking
Impact of Child Abuse and Maltreatment on Delinquency, Arrest and Victimization
Child Interviews and the Prosecution of Child Abuse
Child Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence
Who Has Illegal Guns and How Are They Acquired?
Who Is Most Affected by Gun Violence?
Program: Directed Police Patrols
Program: Project Safe Neighborhoods
Strategy: Federal-Local Collaboration
Intimate Partner (Domestic) Violence
Causes and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence
Extent of Intimate Partner Violence
Interventions in Intimate Partner Violence
Measuring Intimate Partner Violence
Economic Distress and Intimate Partner Violence
Shelters Meet Needs of Victims of Intimate Partner Violence
Murder Suicide Among Intimate Partners
Arrests and Dual Arrests, Intimate Partner Violence
Practical Implications of Domestic Violence Research (NIJ ePub)
Ch 1. Overview of Domestic Violence
Ch 3. Perpetrator Characteristics
Research and Evaluation Priorities
Other Web Resources on Rape and Sexual Violence
Arrests and Prosecution of Stalkers
NIJ's Role in Terrorism Research
Terrorism Databases for Analysis
Improving the Criminal Justice Response
Barriers to Coordination for Responding to Terrorism
Assessing Potential High-risk Targets
Terrorist Links to Other Crimes
Agroterrorism—Why We’re Not Ready: A Look at the Role of Law Enforcement (NIJ Journal
Other Web Resources on Violence Against Women
Publications on Violence Against Women
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Program of Research
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Section 904 Task Force
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Section 904 Researchers' Workshop
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Federal Stakeholders and Partnerships
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Building Upon Prior Research
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Primary Data Collection
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women: Secondary Data Analysis