Who are the cyber-stalkers? The application of cybercriminal profiling analysis

• In Event: Cybercrimes Against People: Predictors and Policy Implications

Abstract

Technological advancements have benefited society in numerous ways yet have provided offenders with new criminal opportunities through cyberspace. Crime of stalking traditionally committed within physical space have now progressed into cyberstalking via the virtual world. There have been few empirical studies that examine the characteristics of cyberstalking offenders using criminal profiling techniques. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to apply criminal profiling techniques to investigate who the cyber-stalkers are and what factors influence on cyberstalking offenses. The findings of the study indicate that there is a relationship between crime opportunity factor and cyberstalking pattern. Policy implications and limitations of this study are discussed.

Authors

• Sinchul Back, University of Scranton

• Sydney L. Gero, University of Scranton