Kriminologie - Das Online-Journal | Criminology - The Online Journal
Kriminologie - Das Online-Journal | Criminology - The Online Journal (KrimOJ) is the first open access journal in the field of criminology initiated from Germany. The three-monthly journal makes all contributions available to its readers free of charge. However, authors are not charged any costs either. The journal offers a scientific forum for all relevant disciplines. KrimOJ is designed for anyone who is interested in the academic debate surrounding issues in the field of criminology. For this reason, we publish articles in both German and English. Easy availability, the widest possible distribution and free publication - KrimOJ offers all the advantages of the Open Access format without neglecting the quality of the content. Our high quality standards are ensured by a double-blind peer review process, in which at least two independent reviewers are involved. The journal is also the ideal forum for your manuscript. Submit your article to us now – we accept submissions throughout the year and on any criminology-related topic.
International Perspectives on Climate Criminal Law – Tagung der Jeunes Pénalistes der Deutschen Landesgruppe der AIDP e.V. & der Climate Clinic e.V.
On 15 and 16 October 2026, the international conference "International Perspectives on Climate Criminal Law" will take place at the University of Konstanz. Further information about the event can be found here: https://aidp-deutschland.de/jeunes-penalistes/international-perspectives-of-climate-criminal-law-15-16-oktober-2026/
Copyright (c) 2026 Kriminologie - Das Online-Journal | Criminology - The Online Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Information on Criminologists, Institutions, and Conferences in KrimDok
This article introduces the “Persons / Corporations“ tab in KrimDok, which provides expanded access to specialized criminological information. Unlike traditional literature searches, this feature focuses on individuals, institutions, and academic conferences associated with the literature indexed in KrimDok. It is based on data from the Integrated Authority File (Gemeinsame Normdatei, GND) of the German National Library. The central functions of the service are explained using the entry for Cesare Beccaria. The article illustrates how the person search supplements bibliographic information with biographical, institutional, and subject-specific aspects, thereby providing new perspectives for the criminological community.
Abschlusstagung des Forschungsprojektes „Cybergrooming – Erforschung von Risikofaktoren, Ermittlungspraxis und Schutzmaßnahmen“ (CERES)
Am 17. März 2026 fand in Wiesbaden die Abschlusstagung des Forschungsprojekts „Cybergrooming – Erforschung von Risikofaktoren, Ermittlungspraxis und Schutzmaßnahmen“ (CERES) statt. An dem Projekt, das vom Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt von 2023 bis 2026 gefördert wurde, waren die Kriminologische Zentralstelle (KrimZ), das Bundeskriminalamt, die Universität Münster und die Kriminalistisch-Kriminologische Forschungsstelle des Landeskriminalamtes Nordrhein-Westfalen beteiligt. Ziel des Projektes war es, ein differenziertes, kriminologisch fundiertes Verständnis des Phänomens Cybergrooming im Hell- und Dunkelfeld zu gewinnen. Dazu wurden Erkenntnisse zu Tätern, Betroffenen und Ermittlungsansätzen generiert. Auf Basis eines Mixed Methods-Ansatzes wurden kriminologische, psychologisch-forensische, kriminalistische und juristisch-strafrechtliche Grundlagen erforscht, um darauf aufbauend evidenzbasierte Handlungsempfehlungen für die Praxis der Strafverfolgung, Justiz und Kriminalprävention zu formulieren. An der hybrid angelegten Abschlusstagung nahmen etwa 60 Personen vor Ort und weitere 150 Personen digital teil. Unter den Teilnehmenden befanden sich Wissenschaftler*innen, Vertreter*innen von Polizei und Justiz, Fachkräfte aus Prävention und Medienpädagogik sowie weitere Akteur*innen aus Forschung und Praxis. Im Mittelpunkt der Abschlusstagung standen aktuelle empirische Erkenntnisse zum Phänomen Cybergrooming aus unterschiedlichen Perspektiven: Täter, Betroffene, Strafverfolgung sowie Prävention. Diese wurden in mehreren Vorträgen von den beteiligten Wissenschaftler*innen präsentiert. Anschließend wurden im Projekt entwickelte Transfermaßnahmen vorgestellt. Beendet wurde die Tagung mit einer Podiumsdiskussion. Ziel war es, die zentralen Ergebnisse des Projekts vorzustellen, kritisch zu diskutieren und Implikationen für Prävention, Strafverfolgung und gesellschaftliche Sensibilisierung abzuleiten.
Zwischen Risiko & Resilienz – Neue Wege zum Schutz vulnerabler Personengruppen
Im März 2026 fand unter Schirmherrschaft von Nordrhein-Westfalens Innenminister Herbert Reul das vierte Symposium der Reihe „Weitblick – Herausforderungen für Polizei und Gesellschaft“ der Kriminalistisch-Kriminologischen Forschungsstelle (KKF) des Landeskriminalamtes Nordrhein-Westfalen (LKA NRW) statt. Grundlegendes Ziel der im Zwei-Jahres-Rhythmus angelegten Veranstaltungsreihe ist es, den Austausch zwischen Wissenschaft und (polizeilicher) Praxis über ausgewählte Themen der kriminalistisch-kriminologischen Forschung zu stärken.
“... Fatally Injured by a Shot From a Police Weapon.” An exploratory Analysis of German Press Coverage of Police Use of Firearms against Persons
This study examines German media coverage of police firearm use against individuals, analyzing interpretive patterns, discourse-shaping cases, and linguistic variations in reporting. Using the GENIOS press database, titles and teaser texts from seven major German media outlets (June 2020 to May 2025) were collected. After categorization, 650 relevant articles remained, of which 488 addressed police firearm use in Germany. The analysis focused on 125 specific cases resulting in injury or death. Two cases significantly shape media discourse: the killings of Mouhamed D. (70 reports) and Lorenz A. (39 reports), both young, male people of color. In cases with comparatively higher media attention, the involvement of weapons carried by the affected individuals played a central role (predominantly bladed/stabbing weapons), while psychological crisis situations were also frequently thematized. Furthermore, the study reveals a broad spectrum of linguistic variations used to describe police killings. The research contributes to understanding how German media construct narratives around police use of force.
Weapon Related Behavior: Existing Findings and a Theoretical Framework for Explaining Weapon Carrying and Weapon Use
Weapon related behavior (weapon carrying and weapon use) has increasingly gained public attention due to high-profile violent incidents and rising trends in recorded crime statistics. While substantial international empirical evidence on weapon-related behavior exists, Germany faces a research deficit in this area. This article first presents the international state of research on weapon carrying and weapon use, then synthesizes available findings for Germany. Victimization experiences are the strongest predictor of weapon carrying, while fear of crime has surprisingly little influence. Approximately one-fifth of adolescents in Germany carry weapons (predominantly knives) at least occasionally, with male adolescents showing significantly higher rates than females. Knife violence is particularly concentrated in social proximity contexts. A theoretical model explaining weapon-related behavior is developed, incorporating variables at the micro, meso, and macro levels. It shows that weapon-related behavior is a complex phenomenon shaped by individual, social, and structural factors, as well as by the material properties of weapons themselves.
Exploring the Effect of Motor Traffic on Street Crime
Traffic impacts street safety in multiple, often under-recognised ways. In addition to their polluting effect and the obvious risk they pose to pedestrians, we hypothesise that heavy motor traffic may also increase street-level crime. We elaborate this proposition drawing from a wide range of well-established crime theories, and test it using longitudinal data from Understanding Crime, and two-way fixed effects models. We find that perceptions of crime are higher in neighbourhoods affected by heavy motor traffic. More importantly, we find that these two phenomena are associated across time, suggesting a likely causal effect. Lastly, we note that the causal effect of motor traffic on street crime is likely mediated by collective efficacy; i.e. traffic erodes community ties, which in turn make informal surveillance less effective.
Subculture as an Educational Resource: Findings from the Austrian Prison System
Prison subculture is traditionally viewed in criminological research as an obstacle to rehabilitation. This article undertakes a theoretical reconceptualization, asking to what extent the informal structures, hierarchies, and solidarity mechanisms created through prisonization can be productively utilized for vocational training in Austrian correctional facilities. Drawing on classical theories by Clemmer, Sykes, and Irwin and Cressey, supplemented by current international research, the article argues that prison subculture is functionally ambivalent: it can have both anti-rehabilitative and pro-rehabilitative effects, depending on which aspects are activated. The article identifies four key utilization potentials – peer-based learning structures, status through qualification, collective coping strategies, and formalization of informal knowledge – and illustrates these through practical examples from an Austrian correctional institution. Critical reflection reveals, however, that structural conditions, conceptual contradictions, and ethical problems preclude unreflective instrumentalization. A paradigm shift from a deficit-oriented to a resource-oriented perspective is considered necessary, but requires pedagogical professionalism, participatory design, and continuous ethical reflection.
Case Law and Judicial Lawmaking in the Law Enforcement Process of Ukraine and the European Court of Human Rights
The article examines the concept of case law and judicial lawmaking as integral elements of the law enforcement process in Ukraine and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. The importance of judicial precedent as a source of law, its role in the formation of legal norms, as well as the influence of judicial practice on the development of legislation are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the interaction of the national judicial system with ECHR judgments, their legal nature, implementation in the legal system of Ukraine and ensuring the unity of judicial practice. The specifics of the mechanisms of application of judicial precedent in administrative, criminal, and civil proceedings in Ukraine are considered. The problems and prospects of adaptation of case law in the context of ongoing legal reform are identified. The issues of normative consolidation of judicial lawmaking, its impact on judicial independence, and ensuring the rule of law are also represented. Attention is focused on the need to improve the mechanisms for the implementation of court decisions of the ECHR, which will contribute to strengthening legal guarantees for citizens of Ukraine.
36th Annual Conference of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology (1-3 December 2025) and 16th Annual Conference of the Asian Criminological Society (4-5 December 2025), in Brisbane, Australia
Florian Knauer reports on two criminological conferences in Brisbane (ANZSOC and the Asian Criminological Society), which covered a broad range of topics and methodological approaches.
Reading Criminology E-books for Free? The Advantages and Disadvantages of Licenses in Criminology
E-books are a convenient resource in academic practice, as they can be read immediately and the content can be processed quickly and easily. This raises the question of why the FID Criminology continues to purchase printed books. This article highlights the challenges that licensing e-books for a specialist community poses.
Copyright (c) 2026 Kriminologie - Das Online-Journal | Criminology - The Online Journal
Just World Belief and Responsibility Attribution in Observed Verbal Sexual Harassment – A Survey among Male Students
The article examines, based on a survey of male university students in Germany (N = 1 792), how different forms of belief in a just world shape the perception and judgement of female victims and male perpetrators following verbal sexual harassment. The focus lies on the attribution of responsibility to victims and perpetrators, as well as on the legitimation of victim blaming and the exoneration of perpetrators through the acceptance of rape myths. The results indicate that a strong belief in ultimate justice is associated with lower responsibility attribution to the perpetrator and higher blame attribution to the victim. By contrast, belief in immanent justice is linked to increased responsibility attribution to the victim. Furthermore, both forms of just world belief are associated with a stronger reliance on justification strategies that excuse the perpetrator.
Silenced Voices and Acts of Resistance: Investigating Female Agency and the Criminalisation of Casting Couch Practices in Malayalam Cinema
With an emphasis on female agency and the criminalisation process, this article investigates casting couch practices in the Malayalam film industry. Casting couch practices continue to exist despite the casual nature of the entertainment industry. This study examines how women negotiate, oppose, and confront these exploitative relationships using a feminist criminological framework and the availability of existing legal frames to tackle the issue. Data sources include testimonials from industry specialists, media reports, and legal files. The thematic analysis identifies patterns of resistance, agency, and the legal and societal barriers faced by women in reporting harassment. Though female agency manifests through silent resistance, networking, and public testimony, weak legal enforcement and the industry's reluctance to adopt comprehensive behaviour standards perpetuate a culture of silence. This study advocates for enhanced activism and regulatory reforms to establish a safer and more equitable working environment for women in Malayalam cinema.
Feminist Criminology – Prospects for Research in Germany
Feminist criminology has established itself as an independent and recognised field of research in the Anglo-American world. In Germany, however, it is still less established and thus falls short of its theoretical and practical potential. This article examines the potential benefits of a broader reception of feminist criminological perspectives for German (legal) science. After a conceptual introduction, the historical development of feminist criminology in the Anglo-American world is outlined through the so-called ‘waves of feminism’. The article then analyses the situation in Germany and shows that feminist impulses from international debates are sporadically incorporated, but not systematically embedded. Feminist legal studies is also addressed in order to identify overlaps and potential synergies. The aim is to show ways in which feminist criminology in Germany can become more theoretically grounded, institutionally anchored and exert greater influence on legal policy.
Towards a Transdisciplinary Method in Criminal Law Research: A Study of the Origins of the Enforcement of Sentences in International Criminal Law
This article grapples with a fundamental methodological question at the heart of interdisciplinary legal scholarship: when studying the historical origins of the enforcement of sentences in international criminal law, should researchers employ the tools of social-science criminology or those of legal history? This question is weighed in relation to its applicability to a research project examining post-WWII incarceration practices at three landmark detention facilities: Spandau, Landsberg, and Sugamo. The author traces the contours of the venerable debate on the relationship between social science and history and finds widespread agreement among contemporary academics that the boundaries between the two disciplines are highly permeable and mutually enriching. Nor do the features of the research project in question—its interdisciplinary, international character, its interplay of past and present—compel a preference for one approach over the other. Researchers enjoy considerable methodological flexibility, and by navigating “the exciting border regions between the disciplines” of social science, history, and jurisprudence, they can only increase their scholarly yield.
KrimOJ applies a double-blind peer review process, which means that throughout the review the identities of both reviewers and authors are concealed from each other. Reviewers are not paid and work as part of the academic community. By listing them here, we extend our gratitude for their work.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kriminologie - Das Online-Journal | Criminology - The Online Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Criminological Research Data: Searching, Finding – and even Publishing?
The topic of research data management is one of the pillars of many instituitions‘open science strategie. It describes the new form of dealing with research data which at the same time considers technological developments and is supposed to result in more publication of research data. KrimDok already records a number of criminologically relevant research data. The landing page of KrimDok also offers a category „Research Data Management“ of additional information for users.
Transnational Workshop on Creative Methods in Research on Courts and Policing at the University of Warwick (UK), 11–12 September 2025
From 11th-12th of September 2025, the authors of this report co-organised a Transnational Workshop on Creative Methods in Research on Courts and Policing, hosted at the Scarman Centre at the University of Warwick.
Greater Transparency and Evidence in Police Use of Firearms and Other Forms of Force Against Persons. An Academic Position Statement and Demands for Policymakers and Authorities
Police use of firearms and other forms of police force in Germany are not sufficiently transparent and are inadequately documented in detail. Moreover, academic research opportunities are limited due to barriers in data access. Evidence-based police research requires systematic data collection, improved research access to case files and video material, as well as institutional reforms. Only through increased police accountability and transparency can both democratic oversight and professional policing be strengthened.
Beyond Spontaneity: Unveiling the Organized Dynamics of Mob Violence in Pakistan
This research article attempts to elucidate the recurrent nature of mob violence from 2010-2024, focusing on key elements such as preplanning, coordination, organizational control, and leadership. Through a purposive sampling technique, a diverse- case study approach is employed to examine the factual contexts and emerging patterns of mob violence incidents in Pakistan. The study aims to offer an insight into the nature and circumstances of such occurrences across various regions of Pakistan by examining n=25 sample cases. The findings reveal that mob violence is a more organized and structured form of violence, characterized by societal endorsement, contrary to the historically perceived spontaneous outbursts. Moreover, the study highlights how different societal factions (religious and political) strategically exploit mob violence to achieve ulterior objectives. The research concludes by emphasizing the need for policy interventions, both administrative and legislative, to effectively curb the occurrence of mob violence in Pakistan.
Dealing with Institutional Shaming. Narrative Strategies of Young Defendants in Juvenile Court
The study examines the narrative practices of young defendants to present themselves under shaming conditions of interaction in German juvenile court proceedings. Based on ethnographic observation protocols and using a combination of membership categorisation analysis (MCA) and the narrative practice approach the study reconstructs, how defendants manage stigmatizing attributions within the dual framework of welfare and punishment. Two narrative strategies are identified: (1) defensive normalisation, which reframes past misconduct and emphasises present conformity, thereby preserving self-esteem; (2) redemptive remorse-performance, in which ritualised apologies function as acts of self-redemption, marking a break with a deviant identity and enabling moral reintegration. The findings demonstrate that institutional shaming structures moral order in juvenile court hearings, while attention to emotion-related practices offers a deeper understanding of identity work and broadens perspectives on self-presentation in institutional interaction.
"I know where you live, let’s be friends": Digital Violence in the Context of Kidfluencing
Kidfluencing is an activity of minors involved in creating and sharing social media content with embedded commercial collaborations. Variants of kidfluencing range from content creation mainly carried out by parents to the children’s largely independent activity. The purpose of this article is to investigate forms of digital violence that may occur in the context of kidfluencing. The analysis draws on theoretical approaches by Galtung and Bourdieu to examine how direct and structural violence operate through the symbolism of words and images, shaping digitality as an ordering process. Data derived through netnography and critical discourse analysis reconstructs parents’ perspectives on kidfluencing, often revealing cultural violence stemming from a lack of awareness about digital harms. This is contrasted with the perspectives of kidfluencers, who do not perceive online and offline as separate spheres but instead view digitality as a fundamental reference structure in their lifeworld. As a result, digital violence does not remain purely symbolic but materializes in physical experiences that diminish children’s well-being and strongly call for the stricter regulation of kidfluencing practices.
Bad Youth: The Effects of Family Dynamics and Political Patronage on Juvenile Gang Crime in Dhaka, Bangladesh
This study investigates the role of familial dynamics and political influences in shaping the emergence of adolescent gangs in Bangladesh, with particular attention to Dhaka. While earlier research has explored various dimensions of juvenile delinquency, limited attention has been given to how family conditions intersect with political patronage in fostering gang involvement. Drawing on qualitative case study research, the paper analyzes in-depth interviews with juvenile gang members, their parents, and police officials. The findings indicate that inadequate parental involvement, conflict-ridden family environments, and permissive parenting practices foster neglect and emotional vulnerability, driving adolescents to seek identity, belonging, and recognition within gangs. These risks are compounded by poverty and precarious living conditions. Simultaneously, political patronage and entrenched clientelist practices offer protection and incentives for young people to engage in gang-related violence, extortion, and local disputes. By drawing on rational choice theory, differential association theory, and the dynamics of patron–client politics, the study situates juvenile gang crime in Bangladesh within both familial and political structures. It argues that effective responses require comprehensive strategies that reinforce family support, limit political exploitation of youth, and address the commercialization of gang networks.
Dynamic police capabilities: Innovative opportunities for digitalization and artificial intelligence in recruitment
In view of the demands of the modern labour market, dynamic skills are considered key success factors for the police when it comes to optimizing recruitment. Rapid developments, particularly in the areas of digitalization and artificial intelligence, demand a fast and effective ability to react. As part of a qualitative-empirical study, the current challenges, such as demographic change, of police recruitment are identified and dynamic capabilities are determined that ensure the optimization of recruiting. The police certainly have an innovative strength that can be strengthened with the help of awareness programs and the acceptance of new technologies in order to increase their attractiveness on the job market.
The Digital Ecosystem of Prepping-Related Channels and Groups on Telegram. Results of a Network Analysis
Prepping is a practice aimed at preparing for specific crisis events. The assumed events motivating crisis preparedness vary widely, ranging from unemployment to natural disasters or societal collapse (cf., Barker, 2020; Luy, 2021). Crisis preparedness is also a topic of interest for the far-right, whose social Darwinism, cultural pessimism, and apocalyptic thinking occasionally align with the beliefs found among preppers. Consequently, prepping discourses become fertile grounds for the normalization of misanthropic and anti-pluralist narratives. This study examines the digital ecosystem of 23 Telegram groups and channels related to prepping, and analyzes which actors are referenced through forwarded messages. Network analysis was used to explore the digital environment of prepping groups and channels. The findings reveal that most of the ecosystem is dominated by actors propagating conspiratorial to far-right narratives, whereas a few outliers show little or no connection to these actors.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kriminologie - Das Online-Journal | Criminology - The Online Journal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
[RETRACTED:] Secret Investigative Measures: A Comparison of Criminal Procedure between Kosovo and Albania
This study explores the application of covert technical and tactical measures in criminal investigations in Albania and Kosovo, emphasizing their effectiveness, adherence to legal standards, and respect for human rights. By comparing both countries’ approaches, the study evaluates the role of these measures in combating organized crime while safeguarding individual privacy and aligning with international norms.A structured questionnaire was administered to 50 citizens in Albania and Kosovo, assessing perceptions of the effectiveness, legality, human rights implications, and technological adaptability of covert investigative tools. Likert-scale questions provided a broad understanding of public sentiment. The findings indicate that most respondents perceive these measures as effective, particularly against organized crime. However, concerns about judicial oversight, privacy protection, and compliance with international human rights standards persist. Enhancing legal frameworks, transparency, and data security could improve public trust and the overall efficacy of these measures.
30. Deutscher Präventionstag – Tagungsbericht
Am 23. und 24. Juni 2025 fand in Augsburg der 30. Deutsche Präventionstag (DPT) statt. Im Rahmen dieser Fachkongresse kommen einmal jährlich die unterschiedlichen Akteur:innen, die im weitgefassten Feld der Gewalt- und Kriminalprävention aktiv sind, zu einem intensiven Austausch zusammen.
Laudatio zum Artikel des Jahres 2024: Cybergrooming – eine Bestandsaufnahme und zwei Schlussfolgerungen
Ein Geheimrezept für einen gelungenen wissenschaftlichen Artikel gibt es nicht – aber doch einige Zutaten, die erfahrungsgemäß zum Gelingen beitragen: ein aktuelles und interessantes Thema, eine klare und verständliche Sprache, eine instruktive Aufarbeitung des Wissensstandes aus dem Blickwinkel verschiedener Disziplinen und – besonders wichtig: neue (auch praxisbezogene) Ansätze und Ideen, welche die Leserschaft zum Nachdenken anregen und vielleicht sogar andere Forschende inspirieren, sich demselben Themenkreis zu widmen. Der Text von Tom Kattenberg enthält all dies und ist daher ganz zu Recht zum Beitrag des Jahres 2024 gewählt worden.
Statement on the 2024 Article of the Year: Cybergrooming – An Inventory and Two Conclusions
There is no secret recipe for a successful academic article, but – based on experience – there are a few ingredients that will contribute to its success: a current and interesting topic; clear and understandable language; an instructive review of the state of knowledge from the perspective of various disciplines; and – particularly important – new (including practical) approaches and ideas that encourage readers to think and perhaps even inspire other researchers to address the same topic. Tom Kattenberg’s text contains all of this and has therefore rightly been chosen as the article of the year for 2024.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome as a Cause of Blame-Exclusion: A Criminological Analysis in Spain
This research analyses the criminological and legal-criminal consequences of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) on the criminal responsibility of people who commit a crime according to the Spanish penal system. FASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol that results in alterations in a person's cognitive capacity, which in the future can affect the ability to understand the wrongfulness of their actions and even regulate their behaviour. Articles 20 and 21 of the Spanish Penal Code regulate the conditions under which a person may be exempted from criminal responsibility for mental disorders or cognitive impairments. This research aims to provide an interdisciplinary view of FASD in the context of Spanish criminal law, analysing whether it can constitute a reason for total or partial exoneration from criminal responsibility. To this end, a qualitative analysis of case law is carried out. The article explains how the courts have interpreted the disorder in relation to an element of the crime called culpability, highlighting the distinction between total exoneration and mitigating circumstances. While some people with FASD may lack full awareness of the illegality of their actions, others may retain partial responsibility. This study contributes, in turn, to the debate on FASD and criminal responsibility, emphasising the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between legal professionals, forensic experts and mental health professionals to ensure fair and evidence-based judicial decisions.