The purpose of this study is to better understand the online black market economy, specifically relating to stolen data, using crime script analysis. Content analysis of 13 English-and ...Russianspeaking stolen data forums found that the different products and services offered enabled the cornmodification of stolen data. The marketplace offers a range of complementary products, from the supply of hardware and software to steal data, the sale of the stolen data itself, to the provision of services to turn data into money, such as drops, cashiers and money laundering. The crime script analysis provides some insight into how the actors in these forums interact, and the actions they perform, from setting up software to finalizing transactions and exiting the marketplace.
Incels, a portmanteau of the term involuntary celibates, operate in online communities to discuss difficulties in attaining sexual relationships. Past reports have found that multiple elements of the ...incel culture are misogynistic and favorable towards violence. Further, several violent incidents have been linked to this community, which suggests that incel communities may resemble other ideologically motivated extremist groups. The current study employed an inductive qualitative analysis of over 8,000 posts made in two online incel communities to identify the norms, values, and beliefs of these groups from a subcultural perspective. Analyses found that the incel community was structured around five interrelated normative orders: the sexual market, women as naturally evil, legitimizing masculinity, male oppression, and violence. The implications of this analysis for our understanding of extremism and the role of the internet in radicalization to violence are considered in depth.
Criminologists have frequently debated whether offenders are specialists, in that they consistently perform either one offense or similar offenses, or versatile by performing any crime based on ...opportunities and situational provocations. Such foundational research has yet to be developed regarding cybercrimes, or offenses enabled by computer technology and the Internet. This study address this issue using a sample of 37 offender networks. The results show variations in the offending behaviors of those involved in cybercrime. Almost half of the offender networks in this sample appeared to be cybercrime specialists, in that they only performed certain forms of cybercrime. The other half performed various types of crimes on and offline. The relative equity in specialization relative to versatility, particularly in both on and offline activities, suggests that there may be limited value in treating cybercriminals as a distinct offender group. Furthermore, this study calls to question what factors influence an offender's pathway into cybercrime, whether as a specialized or versatile offender. The actors involved in cybercrime networks, whether as specialists or generalists, were enmeshed into broader online offender networks who may have helped recognize and act on opportunities to engage in phishing, malware, and other economic offenses.
•This study utilized data collected from 37 criminals investigations into cybercriminal networks.•There is a large variations in the offending behaviors of those involved in cybercrime.•Almost half of the offender networks in this sample are cybercrime specialists.•The other half performed various types of crimes on and offline.•There is limited value in treating cybercriminals as a distinct offender group.
Malicious software is increasingly used by hackers and attackers in order to acquire sensitive information and compromise various systems. The sophistication of these tools has increased to such a ...point that individuals now sell various programs and services through electronic markets where data can be bought and sold. There is, however, minimal research examining the social dynamics that structure the relationships between buyers and sellers and the nature of the market dynamics overall. This study addresses this gap in the literature through a qualitative investigation of a sample of threads from 10 publicly accessible Russian web forums that facilitate the distribution of malware and attack tools. The findings indicate that price, customer service, and trust influence the relationships between actors in this market and influence the nature of exchanges in these forums.
Criminological inquiry has identified a range of risk factors associated with juvenile delinquency. However, little research has assessed juvenile computer hacking, despite the substantial harm and ...opportunities for delinquent behavior online. Therefore, understanding the applicability of criminological risk factors among a cross-national sample of juvenile hackers is important from a theoretical and applied standpoint. This study aimed to address this gap using a logistic regression and latent class analysis (LCA) of risk factors associated with self-reported hacking behavior in a sample of more than 60,000 juveniles from around the globe. Results demonstrated support for individual- and structural-level predictors of delinquency, although distinct risk factors for hacking among three subtypes are identified in the LCA. This study examines criminological risk factors for juvenile hacking in a cross-national sample and provides insight into the distinct risk factors of hacking, so more tailored prevention and treatment modalities can be developed.
The development of the Darknet as a parallel network to the Web in the 21st century has facilitated illegal trafficking in small arms, as defined by the United Nations. The authors have used ...investigative research methodologies to observe six weapon sale sites on the Darknet over a six-month period to identify sellers of firearms, the type and caliber of weapons for sale, manufacturer, price in Bitcoin, and the principle national origins of the firearms. This is the first study of its type to explore the illegal sale of firearms on the Darknet. This evidence can be used by law enforcement to intercept and shut down said sites and provide insight to the nature of the illegal arms trade on the Darknet.
Background
The degeneration of red blood cells (RBCs) during storage is a major issue in transfusion medicine. Family studies in the 1960s established the heritability of the RBC storage lesion based ...on poststorage adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations. However, this critical discovery has not been further explored. In a classic twin study we confirmed the heritability of poststorage ATP concentrations and established the heritability of many other RBC metabolites.
Study Design and Methods
ATP concentrations and metabolomic profiles were analyzed in RBC samples from 18 twin pairs. On samples stored for 28 days, the heritability of poststorage ATP concentrations were 64 and 53% in CP2D‐ and AS‐3–stored RBCs, respectively.
Results
Metabolomic analyses identified 87 metabolites with an estimated heritability of 20% or greater. Thirty‐six metabolites were significantly correlated with ATP concentrations (p ≤ 0.05) and 16 correlated with borderline significance (0.05 ≤ p ≤ 0.10). Of the 52 metabolites that correlated significantly with ATP, 24 demonstrated 20% or more heritability. Pathways represented by heritable metabolites included glycolysis, membrane remodeling, redox homeostasis, and synthetic and degradation pathways.
Conclusion
We conclude that many RBC metabolite concentrations are genetically influenced during storage. Future studies of key metabolic pathways and genetic modifiers of RBC storage could lead to major advances in RBC storage and transfusion therapy.
BACKGROUND
The transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) with maximum therapeutic efficacy is a major goal in transfusion medicine. One of the criteria used in determining stored RBC quality is ...end‐of‐storage hemolysis. Between donors, a wide range of hemolysis is observed under identical storage conditions. Here, a potential mechanism for this wide range is investigated. We hypothesize that the magnitude of hemolysis is a heritable trait. Also, we investigated correlations between hemolysis and RBC metabolites; this will establish pathways influencing hemolysis as future targets for genetic analysis.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
Units of RBCs from identical and nonidentical twins were collected and stored under standard conditions for 56 days. Hemolysis, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and total glutathione (tGSH) were measured throughout storage. Nontargeted metabolic analyses were performed on RBCs that had been stored for 28 days. Heritability was determined by comparing values between identical and nonidentical twins.
RESULTS
Hemolysis was found to be heritable (mean > 45%) throughout the storage period. Potential correlations were observed between hemolysis and metabolites from the purine metabolism, lysolipid, and glycolysis pathways. These also exhibited heritability (>20%). No correlation was found with ATP or tGSH.
CONCLUSION
The susceptibility of RBCs to lysis during storage is partly determined by inheritance. We have also uncovered several pathways that are candidate targets for future genomewide association studies. These findings will aid in the design of better storage solutions and the development of donor screening tools that minimize hemolysis during storage.
Cybercrimes, or offenses enabled by technology, affect computer systems and people and prove difficult to pursue through traditional criminal justice strategies due to jurisdictional challenges and ...legal hurdles. As a result, corporations and industry have begun to play a role in mitigating various forms of cybercrime. This article examines what constitutes cybercrime and the successes and limitations of law enforcement in combatting these offenses. I present a detailed discussion of efforts by industry and regulatory bodies to deter cybercrime. Finally, I consider and discuss the risks and challenges that traditional criminal justice system operations face moving forward.
Cybercrimes are often viewed as technical offenses that require technical solutions, such as antivirus programs or automated intrusion detection tools. However, these crimes are committed by ...individuals or networks of people which prey upon human victims and are detected and prosecuted by criminal justice personnel. As a result, human decision-making plays a substantial role in the course of an offence, the justice response, and policymakers' attempts to legislate against these crimes. This book focuses on the human factor in cybercrime: its offenders, victims, and parties involved in tackling cybercrime. The distinct nature of cybercrime has consequences for the entire spectrum of crime and raises myriad questions about the nature of offending and victimization. For example, are cybercriminals the same as traditional offenders, or are there new offender types with distinct characteristics and motives? What foreground and situational characteristics influence the decision-making process of offenders? Which personal and situational characteristics provide an increased or decreased risk of cybercrime victimization? This book brings together leading criminologists from around the world to consider these questions and examine all facets of victimization, offending, offender networks, and policy responses.
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