crime & crime prevention library

Crime and Crime Prevention is a challenge for every government and society. Learn more about how governments deal with crime, criminals and crime prevention.

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The police knock on your door, and a knot forms in your stomach when you're told the reason for the handcuffs: You're being arrested for a crime you haven't committed -- yet. See more »

Articles 141-153 of 153

Starr, Belle

Starr, Belle (1848–1889), a United States outlaw. She was known to steal horses and cattle, and was suspected of robbing stage-coaches.

Stocks, a device formerly used to punish petty offenders. It consisted of a heavy timber frame, having one or more movable boards with openings through which the feet or the feet and hands could be thrust and clamped into place.

Subversion

Subversion, as the term is commonly used, the working from within a nation to overthrow the established government, particularly by weakening it through secret means.

Terrorism

Terrorism, the systematic use of violence or threat of violence by organized groups to achieve specific goals, which may be political, religious, or ideological, to create fear.

Texas Ranger

Texas Rangers, a state law-enforcement body that gained nationwide fame during the last quarter of the 19th century.

Torture

Torture, the infliction of intense physical suffering or of mental suffering to obtain a confession or information, to punish, or to avenge a wrong.

Treason

Treason, the committing of disloyal acts against the government to which the offender owes allegiance.

Truth Serum

Truth Serum, or Truth Drug, a term applied to certain barbiturates that in some cases will compel the person to whom they have been administered to answer questions truthfully.

Vagrancy

Vagrancy, in law, the condition of being without a definite place of residence or means of support.

Voiceprint

Voiceprint, a visual representation of a person's voice used for purposes of identification.

Warrant

Warrant, in law, a written order issued by a judge or magistrate that directs a police officer (or in some instances a citizen) to perform a certain act that would otherwise be illegal.

What does not guilty by reason of insanity mean?

In our legal system, a person can be found not guilty if they are declared legally insane. How does this system work? Learn about the insanity plea in this article.

Why would a person make a false confession to a crime?

In August 2006, John Mark Karr confessed to the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. But some wondered whether the confession was accurate. Learn why people might confess to a crime that they didn't do.