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Carjacking and Its Consequences: A Situational Analysis of Risk Factors for Differential Outcomes

NCJ Number
232206
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 23 Issue: 4 Dated: October 2010 Pages: 241-258
Author(s)
Terance D. Miethe; William H. Sousa
Date Published
October 2010
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study explored the risk factors associated with different carjacking outcomes.
Abstract
Using police narrative accounts of 241 carjackings in Las Vegas, this study examines the situational contexts of carjacking and the risk factors associated with its outcomes (that is, whether the vehicle theft is completed or just attempted, whether the victim suffers injuries or not). Our findings indicate that the influence of type of carjacking, the numerical advantage of suspects over victims, valuables stolen, weapon use and level of victim resistance are highly contextual, having diverse effects on the consequences of carjacking across different situational contexts. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for the control of carjacking through increased victim awareness programs and other situational crime prevention strategies. Tables, notes, and references (Published Abstract)