Copycat crime

A copycat crime is a criminal act that is modeled after or inspired by a previous crime. It notably occurs after exposure to media content depicting said crimes, and/or a live criminal model.

According to a study, copycat crime is a social phenomenon that persists and is prevalent enough to have an impact on the whole criminal landscape, primarily by influencing criminal tactics as opposed to criminal motive or the emergence of criminal traits.^[1]

^ "Estimating the Magnitude and Mechanisms of Copycat Crime (From The Media and Criminal Justice Policy, P 87-101, 1990, Ray Surette, ed. -- See NCJ-125773) | Office of Justice Programs". www.ojp.gov. Retrieved 2023-09-03.

[1] "Estimating the Magnitude and Mechanisms of Copycat Crime (From The Media and Criminal Justice Policy, P 87-101, 1990, Ray Surette, ed. -- See NCJ-125773) | Office of Justice Programs". www.ojp.gov. Retrieved 2023-09-03.

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