The hottest Criminal Justice Substack posts right now

Genealogy databases like GEDMatch can help law enforcement find suspects by connecting them to family trees using public DNA data. However, this process isn’t straightforward and can raise privacy concerns.
There are ongoing legal issues regarding how law enforcement accesses genetic data, especially when users haven't given clear permission. Some companies have provided access to data against users' wishes.
As the technology improves, it's likely that genetic databases will become more effective for solving crimes. This raises questions about privacy and the potential misuse of such powerful tools.

Gold standard evidence in policy often comes from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that help isolate causal effects but are not always practical, especially in criminal justice settings.
Quasi-experimental methods like regression discontinuity designs (RDD) and difference in differences (DID) can also provide high-quality evidence for evaluating causal effects of programs and policies, offering flexibility where RCTs are not feasible.
Recent analysis showed that RDD and DID designs are as reliable as RCTs for inferring causality, indicating that a variety of methods beyond RCTs can be valuable 'gold standard' evidence in policy and criminal justice research.

Transformational change is difficult in various aspects of life, and most attempts do not lead to significant outcomes, but persistence is key to progress.
Research and evaluation play a crucial role in understanding the effectiveness of interventions and innovations, although measuring programmatic effectiveness can be challenging.
Randomized experiments, while powerful, are not the only form of high-quality evidence; various types of evidence contribute to building knowledge and understanding incremental changes over time.

The K-12 School Shooting Database is now an independent research project with a website not affiliated with any government agency, documenting instances of gun violence on school property since 1970.
The database includes various types of incidents beyond traditional school shootings, such as gang violence, domestic disputes, and accidents, providing a comprehensive view of gun violence in schools.
The data collected by the database includes detailed information on the locations of shootings on school property, outcomes of incidents, victim and shooter demographics, offering a unique level of detail for analysis.

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Plea bargaining and torture have similar roots in needing confessions, showing how justice systems can push for admissions under pressure. This means that, like in medieval times, the system isn't always fair or just.
In the past, strict proof requirements meant torture was sometimes used to force confessions. Today, the heavy use of plea bargains can feel like a modern form of this pressure.
The author suggests reforms to the justice system, such as adopting practices from Germany. This would help ensure more fair trials and protect the rights of individuals better.

Prisons in the US are now the biggest places for mental healthcare, highlighting a sad reality about how we treat mental health issues.
In some remote villages in Alaska, when locals are suddenly taken to prison, it can really upset the whole community, especially if the person has never left their home before.
Prison life can be tough, and some inmates actually prefer being inside because it feels safer to them, even if it means committing crimes just to go back.

The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, meaning the police need reasonable suspicion or consent to stop you and check your belongings.
While you should know your rights during police encounters, it's sometimes practical to comply rather than escalate the situation, especially if you're unsure of the laws in your area.
Many people don't know their rights, which can lead to unfair treatment by law enforcement. Being aware and asserting your rights can help discourage police misconduct.

There is a serious concern about a possible leak of U.S. intelligence related to Israel's plans involving Iran. This could have big implications for national security.
The U.S. is struggling with military readiness, particularly with the F-35s not meeting their goals despite increasing spending. This raises questions about the effectiveness of defense investments.
Cybersecurity threats are on the rise, with major hacks affecting both private and public sectors. This shows the importance of protecting our digital infrastructure from attacks.

Illinois runs a state-funded program that pays former gang members in Chicago to mediate street conflicts and try to prevent shootings. They’re meant to act as local “peacekeepers” who use their connections to stop violence.
Some participants have been arrested for serious crimes—even after public appearances—and critics say the effort has become a revolving door for crime. This undermines the program’s credibility in the community.
The large public investment in the initiative has raised questions about oversight, accountability, and whether the approach is actually effective at reducing violence.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) play a crucial role in identifying effective interventions in criminal justice policy.
Collaboration among researchers and practitioners is essential to develop and replicate successful causal research designs.
Causal research has contributed to progress in criminal justice policy and helped identify interventions that work, while also highlighting ones that are ineffective or counterproductive.