Improving the clearance of serious crime: the case of aggravated assault
Policing: An International Journal
ISSN: 1363-951X
Article publication date: 30 April 2021
Issue publication date: 31 August 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper addresses the clearance of aggravated assaults (AAs). Specifically, the authors consider variations in these clearances over time for large agencies and test which crime, investigation and agency factors are associated with the likelihood of clearance by arrest or exceptional means. In doing this work, they seek to extend the understanding of how police can improve their investigations and ability to solve serious offenses.
Design/methodology/approach
Using case, investigative and organizational data collected from seven large police departments selected on the basis of their trajectory of index crime clearances, and measures of case characteristics, investigative effort and organizational best practices, this paper uses descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze AA investigations and case clearance.
Findings
Key findings include the following: trajectories of AA clearance vary across large agencies and covary with a measure of organizational best practices, and the relationship between investigative effort and case clearance can depend on organizational practices. The authors find that measures of investigative effort are either not related to case clearance or there is a negative association.
Research limitations/implications
Now that police researchers have a better understanding of AAs and their investigations, they need to test how this knowledge can be used to improve the quality of police investigations. Tests, preferably multi-agency randomized control trials, of new investigative strategies and organizational practices are needed.
Originality/value
This research is original in that it uses a multi-agency sample and crime, investigation and organizational measures to understand AA clearance.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This article is based on the work supported by the Laura and John Arnold Foundation (LJAF). The authors thank them for the support and note that LJAF is not responsible for any of the content or conclusions herein. The authors would like to thank two peer reviewers for their time and helpful comments toward improving this manuscript.
Citation
Scott, T. and Wellford, C. (2021), "Improving the clearance of serious crime: the case of aggravated assault", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 44 No. 4, pp. 560-576. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-02-2021-0025
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited