An instinct for detection: psychological perspectives on CCTV surveillance

Kenneth C. Scott-Brown, Patrick D. J. Cronin

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

76 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

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.
Original languageEnglish
JournalThe Police Journal
Volume80
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2007

Fingerprint

instinct
surveillance
law enforcement
research and development
performance
deficit
police
video
evidence

Cite this

Scott-Brown, Kenneth C. ; Cronin, Patrick D. J. / An instinct for detection : psychological perspectives on CCTV surveillance. In: The Police Journal. 2007 ; Vol. 80, No. 4.
@article{8f2440fc6f2542db8e254331d16f2bad,
title = "An instinct for detection: psychological perspectives on CCTV surveillance",
abstract = "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.",
author = "Scott-Brown, {Kenneth C.} and Cronin, {Patrick D. J.}",
year = "2007",
month = "11",
doi = "10.1350/pojo.2007.80.4.287",
language = "English",
volume = "80",
journal = "The Police Journal",
issn = "0032-258X",
number = "4",

}

Scott-Brown, KC & Cronin, PDJ 2007, 'An instinct for detection: psychological perspectives on CCTV surveillance', The Police Journal, vol. 80, no. 4. https://doi.org/10.1350/pojo.2007.80.4.287

An instinct for detection : psychological perspectives on CCTV surveillance. / Scott-Brown, Kenneth C.; Cronin, Patrick D. J.

In: The Police Journal, Vol. 80, No. 4, 11.2007.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

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 -

Scott-Brown KC, Cronin PDJ. An instinct for detection: psychological perspectives on CCTV surveillance. The Police Journal. 2007 Nov;80(4). https://doi.org/10.1350/pojo.2007.80.4.287

Access to Document