Verified by Psychology Today

Forensic Insights

The psychology of criminal behaviour and criminal investigation

Law and Crime
Sextortion: Cybersex Blackmail is Increasing

Coral Dando Ph.D. on July 10, 2022

Sextortion is a serious organised digital crime, and it is on the increase. Think long and hard before performing remote sexual acts. Too often all is not what it seems.

Sextortion is a serious organised digital crime, and it is on the increase. Think long and hard before performing remote sexual acts. Too often all is not what it seems.

Sex
The Truth About Stranger Homicide, and Who's Really at Risk

Coral Dando Ph.D. on December 19, 2021

Being murdered by a stranger is the stuff of nightmares. Just how common are stranger homicides, and are the streets truly unsafe for women, or for men?

Being murdered by a stranger is the stuff of nightmares. Just how common are stranger homicides, and are the streets truly unsafe for women, or for men?

Memory
Psychologists Can Help Eyewitnesses to Remember

Coral Dando Ph.D. on May 20, 2021

Treating eyewitness memory with respect will go a long way towards reducing miscarriages of justice associated with poor memory performance, albeit these are relatively rare.

Treating eyewitness memory with respect will go a long way towards reducing miscarriages of justice associated with poor memory performance, albeit these are relatively rare.

Law and Crime
Combatting the Recent Surge of Hate Crimes

Coral Dando Ph.D. on March 5, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has coincided with a three-fold escalation of online and face-to-face hate crime in the UK, much of which is directed at black and minority ethnic communities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has coincided with a three-fold escalation of online and face-to-face hate crime in the UK, much of which is directed at black and minority ethnic communities.

Coronavirus Disease 2019
Why Did Rape Prosecutions Drop by Half in Lockdown?

Coral Dando Ph.D. on December 11, 2020

The groundbreaking Rape and Serious Sexual Offences strategy introduced in England and Wales begins to undermine outdated and damaging societal myths and stereotypes around rape.

The groundbreaking Rape and Serious Sexual Offences strategy introduced in England and Wales begins to undermine outdated and damaging societal myths and stereotypes around rape.

Bias
Examining Police's Stop and Search Protocols

Coral Dando Ph.D. on August 25, 2020

Stop and search doubled in London during lockdown with more than 20,000 black males stopped and searched, which equates to over 1/4 black 15 to 24-year olds in the capital. Why?

Stop and search doubled in London during lockdown with more than 20,000 black males stopped and searched, which equates to over 1/4 black 15 to 24-year olds in the capital. Why?

Sex
Why Do Women Sex Traffic Other Women and Girls?

Coral Dando Ph.D. on July 24, 2020

Worldwide, conviction rates for human trafficking are negligible, but the numbers of women convicted are at odds with the statistical trends of female offending. Why?

Worldwide, conviction rates for human trafficking are negligible, but the numbers of women convicted are at odds with the statistical trends of female offending. Why?

Psychology
Psychology Used to Groom Children for County Lines

Coral Dando Ph.D. on April 8, 2020

Psychological coercion is one of the primary tools for grooming children for "county lines" criminal activity—it is effective, largely invisible, and can have a long-lasting impact.

Psychological coercion is one of the primary tools for grooming children for "county lines" criminal activity—it is effective, largely invisible, and can have a long-lasting impact.