Crime & Crime Prevention

The title "murder capital of the U.S." often sparks intense debate, but identifying which city holds this grim distinction requires more than just a glance at murder rates. Factors such as population density add critical context to the narrative.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

The nation of Mexico is home 130 million people across 31 states (Mexico City is a separate entity but not a state in itself, similar to Washington, D.C. in the United States). Unfortunately due to a variety of factors, Mexican cities are often host to a violent crimes including homicide. Here, we'll detail the most dangerous cities in Mexico and give some info about their history.

By Talon Homer

Whether you're looking for adventure, work opportunities, new scenery or better weather conditions, California cities represent a special, sunny place in the popular imagination. But before packing your bags and heading to the Golden State, you'll want to know which is the most dangerous city in California.

By Zach Taras

The most dangerous cities in the world are a major concern for residents, visitors, law enforcement and policymakers. While crime exists everywhere, some cities statistically experience consistently high crime levels. We turned to Statista, a global data and business intelligence platform, to find the hard numbers on the murder rate per capita in cities worldwide.

By Karina Ryan

Serial killers have long captured the public's attention with their upsetting stories, but there are few things more tragic than a murder committed by a young child.

By Marie Look

As a remnant of the legacy of President Nixon and the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, cannabis plants are still categorized as Schedule I narcotics at the federal level. Although federal law remains less progressive than state laws, several states with legal weed permit medical or recreational use for citizens.

By Karina Ryan

By now, it's probably a familiar sound: jarring, ear-splitting tones that sound from your mobile device. Known as an AMBER Alert, these emergency notifications can be pivotal in finding abducted children. Named after Amber Hagerman, the system started in 1996.

By Yara Simón

Gary Francis Poste made headlines after his death as the suspected Zodiac Killer. But is there enough evidence to finally close this case?

By Sascha Bos

In November 1984, at the age of 17, Lisa McVey Noland was riding her bike home from work in Tampa, Florida, when she was abducted by a serial killer.

By Sascha Bos

Dive into the world of La Cosa Nostra. Discover its origins, impact, and intriguing aspects of this infamous organized crime syndicate.

By HowStuffWorks

Explore the enigmatic Bonanno Crime Family. Discover its origins, criminal operations, and intriguing legacy in organized crime.

By HowStuffWorks

Junko Furuta was a Japanese schoolgirl, brutally raped and killed by four young men, who received shockingly light sentences. How did they get off so easily?

By Dave Roos

Because of the murkiness of maritime law, it's hard to pursue crimes committed on cruise ships. What makes it so easy to get away with a crime on the high seas?

By Julia Layton

Now that former President Donald Trump has been indicted by the Justice Department, what happens to his Secret Service detail? Would he get protection if he goes to prison, too?

By Dave Roos

Former President Donald Trump was arraigned but didn't have his mug shot taken. Why not, and what's the deal behind this police photograph?

By Patrick J. Kiger

The reproduction of books, movies and songs is closely protected by copyright law, but intellectual property in the public domain can be used by anyone for free.

By Patrick J. Kiger

A Netflix docuseries about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is one of its most-watched shows ever. We reviewed FBI files of his case instead and got a chilling look at what drove him to kill.

By Suzie Dundas

While the U.S. is in full support of investigating Vladimir Putin's war crimes in Ukraine, it's long opposed the International Criminal Court at The Hague. But why?

By Patrick J. Kiger

People have been raising alarms about the potential for nonconsensual, surreptitious collection and testing of DNA for years, but will genetic paparazzi with DNA collection kits become as ubiquitous as those with cameras?

By Liza Vertinsky & Yaniv Heled

H.R. 8, which passed the House last year, would eliminate private gun sale loopholes and require nearly universal background checks. But it faces difficult odds of passage in the Senate.

By Patrick J. Kiger

ADX Florence is the only federal "supermax" prison in the U.S. and home to a rogue's gallery of notorious criminals. What's it like to serve time there?

By Dave Roos & Talon Homer

U.S. President Joe Biden accused Vladimir Putin of committing genocide in Ukraine. But who really determines whether a genocide is occurring, and how?

By Patrick J. Kiger

Arne Johnson stabbed a man to death in 1981. His intended legal defense? Guilty by reason of demonic possession. Did it work?

By John Donovan

A jury in Kenosha, Wisconsin, found Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty on all charges. A Harvard legal scholar weighs in on why the verdict directly challenges the legal standards for self-defense.

By Ronald Sullivan

True crime is often stranger than fiction. How much do you know about some of the strangest and most notorious criminals out there like Ted Bundy, Jack the Ripper and the Night Stalker?

By Alia Hoyt