TY - JOUR
T1 - An instinct for detection
T2 - psychological perspectives on CCTV surveillance
AU - Scott-Brown, Kenneth C.
AU - Cronin, Patrick D. J.
PY - 2007/11
Y1 - 2007/11
N2 - The aim of this article is to inform and stimulate a proactive,
multidisciplinary approach to research and development in
surveillance-based detective work. In this article we review
some of the key psychological issues and phenomena that
practitioners should be aware of. We look at how human
performance can be explained with reference to our biological
and evolutionary legacy. We show how critical viewing conditions
can be in determining whether observers detect or overlook
criminal activity in video material. We examine situations
where performance can be surprisingly poor, and cover situations
where, even once confronted with evidence of these
detection deficits, observers still underestimate their susceptibility
to them. Finally we explain why the emergence of these
relatively recent research themes presents an opportunity for
police and law enforcement agencies to set a new, multidisciplinary
research agenda focused on relevant and pressing
issues of national and international importance.
AB - The aim of this article is to inform and stimulate a proactive,
multidisciplinary approach to research and development in
surveillance-based detective work. In this article we review
some of the key psychological issues and phenomena that
practitioners should be aware of. We look at how human
performance can be explained with reference to our biological
and evolutionary legacy. We show how critical viewing conditions
can be in determining whether observers detect or overlook
criminal activity in video material. We examine situations
where performance can be surprisingly poor, and cover situations
where, even once confronted with evidence of these
detection deficits, observers still underestimate their susceptibility
to them. Finally we explain why the emergence of these
relatively recent research themes presents an opportunity for
police and law enforcement agencies to set a new, multidisciplinary
research agenda focused on relevant and pressing
issues of national and international importance.
U2 - 10.1350/pojo.2007.80.4.287
DO - 10.1350/pojo.2007.80.4.287
M3 - Article
VL - 80
JO - The Police Journal
JF - The Police Journal
SN - 0032-258X
IS - 4
ER -