Policing Possession of Child Pornography Online: Investigating the Training and Resources Dedicated to the Investigation of Cyber Crime

Abstract

The internet is not a single network, limited to one specific type of information or restrictive of the Downloaded from types of users who can access its information. Conversely, the internet is an intercontinental information highway that has enabled people of all ages to communicate with family and friends with lightning-fast speed, share and collect information, and connect with people and companies thousands of miles from their computer (Roberts, Foehr, Rideout, & Brodie, 1999;Rosenbaum et al., 2000;Smith & Rupp, 2002). However, this growth of information technology has introduced a new form of criminality to the criminal justice system: cyber crime (Denning, 1998). The purpose of this research study is to investigate the prevalence of cyber criminality, specifically possession of child pornography, in law enforcement jurisdictions and the types of training which local and State law enforcement agencies currently offer to effectively combat these technological crimes.

Deterrence of Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

“…This diversion of resources to target those at high risk of a contact offence provoked considerable debate as to what strategies would then be used (if any) with those offenders deemed to be at lower risk. However, while there is some evidence that having a specialised law enforcement task force does increase the number of investigations and the number of arrests for possession (Marcum et al, 2010) there is no evidence that providing more resources acts as a deterrent to future offending. Paternoster and Simpson (1993) argued that crimes can be deterred but not prevented, although prevention can flow from deterrence.…”

The use of specialized cybercrime policing units: an organizational analysis

“…Yet given the increased importance of cybercrime since 2000 (PERF, 2014), many police agencies have adopted new strategies to combat cybercrime. In recent years, this has often meant the development of specialized cybercrime units (Hinduja, 2004;Marcum et al, 2010).…”

“…While a number of studies have begun to examine law enforcement responses to cybercrime (Broadhurst, 2006;Hinduja, 2004;Katos & Bednar, 2008;Marcum et al, 2010) this literature remains underdeveloped. As such, little research has examined how frequently specialized cybercrime units are used, nor has research examined the characteristics of police agencies likely to make use of specialized cybercrime units.…”

“…One potential strategy for addressing cybercrime is through the formation of specialized cybercrime units (Hinduja, 2004;Marcum et al, 2010). A number of studies have examined agency-level responses to cybercrime (Broadhurst, 2006;Hinduja, 2004;Holt et al, 2012;Katos & Bednar, 2008;Marcum et al, 2010). These studies find that communication and networking are paramount in cybercrime investigations (Broadhurst, 2006;Katos & Bednar, 2008).…”

“…Moreover, training and development of specialized units are among the most important needs of departments for investigating cyber offenses (Hinduja, 2004;Marcum et al, 2010). Broadly, these studies highlight the importance of establishing specialized units to assist with the investigation of cybercrimes.…”