Crime Reduction Through Product Design

• NCJ Number: 190939
• Author(s): Andrew Lester
• Date Published: May 2001
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Australian Institute of Criminology Trends and Issues, No. 206, May 2001; downloaded October 8, 2001.

Annotation

This paper examines the principles of crime reduction through product design (CRPD), related technologies, and issues such as the specific crimes that can be reduced through CRPD, current and future designs for crime control, and considerations such as user acceptance, design effectiveness, and crime displacement.

Abstract

CRPD involves the integration of protective features into products in order to reduce their potential to become targets of criminal activity (such as theft, fraud, and damage), as well as preventing their use as instruments of crime. The term "product" refers to any physical property and forms of currency, as well as electronic information and computer software. This paper focuses on measures incorporated into products for security, regardless of the environment in which they are placed and of the persons by whom they can be accessed. In most cases, the design features are distinct from the core product and are not required for it to perform its intended functions. There are many theft countermeasures that are now widely accepted and used, such as electronic or inktags attached to retail merchandise, car alarms, engine immobilizers, and vehicle stereos with detachable faces and security code requirements. In addition, innovations are continually emerging as technology and production practices improve. One example is in the protection of portable computers, where several companies offer a tracking method that uses a small program that can be embedded in the machine's hard drive. A new means of protecting mobile telephones involves software that monitors use patterns based on the time of day, duration, and numbers called. This establishes a profile for the regular user. This paper also discusses designs to reduce fraud, counterfeiting, and copyright infringements; designs to reduce tampering; and designs to reduce graffiti and vandalism. The paper concludes with discussions of user acceptance of CRPD, the effectiveness and endurance of design, crime displacement, and future directions for CRPD. 46 references