CRIME

•Act or omission committed against the community that is punishable by

the state.

Actus Reus

• Latin term meaning “guilty act” • Refers to the physical act of carrying out of a

crime.

Mens rea

• Latin term meaning “guilty mind” • Meaning the accused intended to commit the

crime .• Knowing their actions were wrong.

Range of factors, that lead to criminal behavior.

• Psychological factors.• Social factors.• Economic factors.• Genetic theories.• Political factors.• Self-interest.

Technology

• Criminal behavior is now linked to computer crimes. • The crimes amendment computer offences act 2001,

NSW introduced a new part titled “Computer Offences” to the crimes act 1900 NSW to include new crimes relating to computer hacking.

White Collar Crime

• Economic gain is a major contributing factor to some forms of criminal behavior.

• Most common white collar crimes: Embezzlement, tax evasion and Insider trading.

Crime Prevention

• Social prevention techniques.• Situational prevention techniques.

Situational crime prevention techniques.

• Situational crime prevention aims, to make it more difficult for criminals to carry out a crime.

• For example. Installing bars or alarm systems, or internet firewalls to deter the theft of data.

Social crime prevention techniques.

• Social crime prevention attempts to address the underlying social factors that may lead to criminal behavior.

• For example, funding into educational programs in schools to raise the education levels of students.

• Youth programs.