Imitation Crime: A Correlation with Sensationalized News Media Coverage of Violent Crime

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

It is almost as though one can predict, with near certainty, that related or imitation crimes will occur in the time following a highly publicized criminal act. The news media are often affixed with the stigma of being the facilitators of this imitative criminal behavior as a result of sensationalized coverage of violent crimes. This research will compare and contrast existing research, with a focus on the 1999 Columbine massacre, 1996 Barry Loukaitis, and 2002 D. C. Snipers case in search of a commonality, while also incorporating anecdotal support for an association suggested by the data. Positive correlations are expected to be found between increased criminality and current practices of the news media.

Authors

• Logan Hodges, Ferrum College

• David F. Nicholson, Ferrum College