““Life is like a video game. Life is like a video game. Everybody’s got to die Everybody’s got to die sometime.sometime.”” -- 18 year-old Devin Moore-- 18 year-old Devin Moore

The Influence Of Technology, Media, & Popular Culture On Criminal Behavior: Copycat Crime & Cybercrime

Technology-Related Risk Technology-Related Risk Factors Factors for Criminal Behavior for Criminal Behavior Criminologists can no longer ignore the ways Criminologists can no longer ignore the ways

in which media and computer technology in which media and computer technology shape criminal behaviorshape criminal behavior.. With the With the unprecedented exposure to and influence of media unprecedented exposure to and influence of media and popular culture it is increasingly important to and popular culture it is increasingly important to examine the unique role that technology-related examine the unique role that technology-related factors play in motivating and shaping criminal factors play in motivating and shaping criminal behavior. behavior.

Technology breeds false familiarity, blurs Technology breeds false familiarity, blurs fantasy and reality, and provides a virtual fantasy and reality, and provides a virtual realm that mediates consciencerealm that mediates conscience.. This has This has important implications for the study of criminal important implications for the study of criminal behavior.behavior.

Technological advances have Technological advances have impacted criminal behavior in impacted criminal behavior in three ways:three ways:

1)1) Mass Communication TechnologyMass Communication Technology has transformed media has transformed media and popular culture into a powerful influence on offender and popular culture into a powerful influence on offender behavior.behavior.

2)2) Computer TechnologyComputer Technology has created new avenues and has created new avenues and different opportunities for criminal behavior.different opportunities for criminal behavior.

3)3) Investigative TechnologyInvestigative Technology has altered methods used by has altered methods used by offenders and the types of crimes they engage in. offenders and the types of crimes they engage in. 

Technology-Related Technology-Related SubtypesSubtypes

Copycat CrimeCopycat Crime CybercrimeCybercrime

• Copycat crime and cybercrime are likely to become a significant part of the crime landscape in the 21st century.

•Copycat crime and cybercrime are subtypes that can cut across all of the major crime categories while maintaining distinct features.

•In some respects, copycat and cybercrime represent more the process by which criminal behavior occurs rather than a type of crime.

•Both copycat and cybercrime can be violent, sex, economic, public order, or political crimes. Copycat and cyber crime are unique in that technology shapes their nature and presentation.

The Criminogenic Effects of Mass The Criminogenic Effects of Mass Media Technology Media Technology

Electronic media presents greater concerns than Electronic media presents greater concerns than print mediaprint media because there is a larger at-risk pool of because there is a larger at-risk pool of individuals who can be criminally influenced (Surette, 1990)individuals who can be criminally influenced (Surette, 1990)

We live in a We live in a “Historically unprecedented context of “Historically unprecedented context of hyperaestheticized mass-culture”hyperaestheticized mass-culture” (Black, 1991,p. 136).(Black, 1991,p. 136).

Technologies have become more culturally dominant Technologies have become more culturally dominant as an information sourceas an information source.. This increases the probability This increases the probability that people (particularly adolescents) will use this information that people (particularly adolescents) will use this information as a tool to understand themselves and others (Lloyd, 2002). as a tool to understand themselves and others (Lloyd, 2002).

MEDIA INFLUENCEMEDIA INFLUENCE

Virtually all families with children have a TV with at least one VCR or Virtually all families with children have a TV with at least one VCR or DVD player, and most (approx 75%) subscribe to cable or satellite TV.DVD player, and most (approx 75%) subscribe to cable or satellite TV.

7 in 10 families with children own a computer and have a video-game 7 in 10 families with children own a computer and have a video-game system.system.

In their bedrooms, the majority of American children have a TV (30% of In their bedrooms, the majority of American children have a TV (30% of children age 0-3), 33-39% age 2-17 have a video-game player, 30% children age 0-3), 33-39% age 2-17 have a video-game player, 30% have a VCR, and 6-11% have Internet access.have a VCR, and 6-11% have Internet access.

Children spend more time consuming entertainment media than Children spend more time consuming entertainment media than engaging in any other activity besides sleeping and school (avg. 4 hrs engaging in any other activity besides sleeping and school (avg. 4 hrs per day in front of a TV or computer screen).per day in front of a TV or computer screen).

25% of 6th graders watch more than 40 hours of TV per week.25% of 6th graders watch more than 40 hours of TV per week.

On any given Saturday morning at 10 a.m., 60% of American 6-11 year-On any given Saturday morning at 10 a.m., 60% of American 6-11 year-olds are watching TV.olds are watching TV.

Surette on Copycat CrimeSurette on Copycat CrimeSee Surette, R. (1998). See Surette, R. (1998). Media, crime, and criminal Media, crime, and criminal justice: Images and realities. justice: Images and realities. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

To be a copycat, a crime To be a copycat, a crime ““must have been inspired must have been inspired by an earlier, publicized crime … there must be by an earlier, publicized crime … there must be a pair of crimes linked by the media”a pair of crimes linked by the media” (Surette, (Surette, 1998, p. 137). 1998, p. 137).

Copycat phenomenon affects crime in two ways: Copycat phenomenon affects crime in two ways: 1) As a1) As a triggertrigger – creating crime that wouldn’t otherwise occur – creating crime that wouldn’t otherwise occur

turning law abiding citizens into criminals. turning law abiding citizens into criminals. As aAs a shapershaper – giving ideas to already active criminals, molding – giving ideas to already active criminals, molding

rather than triggering crime.rather than triggering crime.

Copycat Crime RevisitedCopycat Crime Revisited It’s time to revisit and revive Surette and others’ work on It’s time to revisit and revive Surette and others’ work on

copycat crime to develop an integrated theoretical framework copycat crime to develop an integrated theoretical framework for empirical researchfor empirical research examining the influence of the copycat effect on examining the influence of the copycat effect on criminal behavior.criminal behavior.

Copycat crime is often thought of in terms of crimes that mimic news representation of Copycat crime is often thought of in terms of crimes that mimic news representation of actual events. Howeveractual events. However, , fiction may be more powerful than reality in fiction may be more powerful than reality in terms of its power to inspire copycat crimesterms of its power to inspire copycat crimes (Black, 1990; Fister, (Black, 1990; Fister, 2005). 2005).

DEFINITION OF COPYCAT CRIME:DEFINITION OF COPYCAT CRIME:A crime inspired by another crime that has been publicized in the news media or A crime inspired by another crime that has been publicized in the news media or fictionally or artistically represented whereby the offender incorporates aspects of fictionally or artistically represented whereby the offender incorporates aspects of the original offense into a new crime. the original offense into a new crime.

Anecdotal Evidence of Copycat CrimeAnecdotal Evidence of Copycat Crime NATURAL BORN KILLERSNATURAL BORN KILLERS (1994) - linked to a dozen murders in the U.S, (1994) - linked to a dozen murders in the U.S,

Canada, and Europe and to school shooter cases including Columbine. Three Canada, and Europe and to school shooter cases including Columbine. Three copycats involved male/female pairs who went on murder sprees including the copycats involved male/female pairs who went on murder sprees including the 1995 robbery/murder spree of 18 year-old Benjamin Darras and Sarah 1995 robbery/murder spree of 18 year-old Benjamin Darras and Sarah Edmondson that led to a civil suit against NBK director Oliver Stone that went to Edmondson that led to a civil suit against NBK director Oliver Stone that went to the U.S. Supreme court before it was dismissed in 2001; Four murders the U.S. Supreme court before it was dismissed in 2001; Four murders committed by 19 year-old Florence Rey and 22 year-old boyfriend Audry Maupin committed by 19 year-old Florence Rey and 22 year-old boyfriend Audry Maupin dubbed “France’s Natural Born Killers"; and 1998 case involving Veronique dubbed “France’s Natural Born Killers"; and 1998 case involving Veronique Herbert and Sebastien Paindavoine who murdered a 16 year-old boy in a sex Herbert and Sebastien Paindavoine who murdered a 16 year-old boy in a sex set-up right out of the film. set-up right out of the film.

THE MATRIXTHE MATRIX (1999, 2003) (1999, 2003) - - Associated with a half a dozen murders. In several Associated with a half a dozen murders. In several of the offenders’ trials (including D.C. Sniper shooter John Malvo), the Matrix of the offenders’ trials (including D.C. Sniper shooter John Malvo), the Matrix was woven into the defendant’s insanity defense. In at least two cases (Lynne was woven into the defendant’s insanity defense. In at least two cases (Lynne Ansley in Ohio in 2002 and Vadim Mieseges San Francisco in 2003) the “matrix Ansley in Ohio in 2002 and Vadim Mieseges San Francisco in 2003) the “matrix defense” resulted in a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity.defense” resulted in a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity.

GRAND THEFT AUTO VICE CITYGRAND THEFT AUTO VICE CITY (2002)(2002) – –18 year-old Devin Moore allegedly 18 year-old Devin Moore allegedly played the game for hours before stealing a car and gunning down two police played the game for hours before stealing a car and gunning down two police officers and a 911 dispatcher in 2003. When captured he said “Life is like a officers and a 911 dispatcher in 2003. When captured he said “Life is like a video game. Everybody’s got to die some time.” At trial, it was revealed that he video game. Everybody’s got to die some time.” At trial, it was revealed that he was a compulsive violent video game player who suffered from childhood abuse-was a compulsive violent video game player who suffered from childhood abuse-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Moore’s attorney’s argued the “GTA related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Moore’s attorney’s argued the “GTA defense” -- that he lost touch with reality and was acting out the virtual violence defense” -- that he lost touch with reality and was acting out the virtual violence in GTA. Despite his attorney’s efforts, the GTA defense was unsuccessful and in GTA. Despite his attorney’s efforts, the GTA defense was unsuccessful and Moore was sentenced to death in 2005. Moore was sentenced to death in 2005.

Cultural Artifacts Associated with Cultural Artifacts Associated with

Copycat Crime – ExamplesCopycat Crime – Examples … … Heathers (film)Heathers (film) Taxi Driver (film)Taxi Driver (film) Catcher in the Rye (novel)Catcher in the Rye (novel) The Secret Agent (novel)The Secret Agent (novel) Ice T’s Cop Killer (music/lyrics)Ice T’s Cop Killer (music/lyrics) Dungeons & Dragons (role playing Dungeons & Dragons (role playing

game)game) Slayer (heavy metal band)Slayer (heavy metal band) Beavis & Butthead (cartoon)Beavis & Butthead (cartoon) Jack Ass (TV show/film)Jack Ass (TV show/film) The Basketball Diaries (novel/film)The Basketball Diaries (novel/film) Sopranos (TV show)Sopranos (TV show) Scream (film)Scream (film)

Doom/Doom II (computer game)Doom/Doom II (computer game) Grand Theft Auto (computer Grand Theft Auto (computer

game)game) Thelma & Louise (film) Thelma & Louise (film) Mapplethorpe (photographer)Mapplethorpe (photographer) Gone in 60 Seconds (film)Gone in 60 Seconds (film) Money Train (film)Money Train (film) Burning Bed (TV movie)Burning Bed (TV movie) Marilyn Manson (musician)Marilyn Manson (musician) Starsky & Hutch (TV show)Starsky & Hutch (TV show) Menace II Society (film)Menace II Society (film) TV news and print news mediaTV news and print news media Child’s Play 3 (film)Child’s Play 3 (film) Battle Royale (film)Battle Royale (film)

SummarySummary Technology, media, and popular culture shape offender motivation, modus Technology, media, and popular culture shape offender motivation, modus

operandi, and play a role in neutralizing guilt and providing justification for operandi, and play a role in neutralizing guilt and providing justification for offenders’ actions. offenders’ actions.

It is important to consider technology as a potential risk factor for criminal behavior It is important to consider technology as a potential risk factor for criminal behavior for some individuals. for some individuals.

Technological influences on criminal behavior exist along a continuum.Technological influences on criminal behavior exist along a continuum.

Copycat crime and cybercrime as two distinct subtypes of criminal behavior that Copycat crime and cybercrime as two distinct subtypes of criminal behavior that involve technological influence. involve technological influence.

Technology will play an increasingly salient role in influencing offender motivation Technology will play an increasingly salient role in influencing offender motivation and modus operandi in a segment of offenses and it is important that criminological and modus operandi in a segment of offenses and it is important that criminological theory and research examine technology as a risk factor for criminal behavior.. theory and research examine technology as a risk factor for criminal behavior..