Combining Criminology and Forensic Science to Detect Match-Fixing

• In Event: Crime in sports: manifestations of organized crime and white collar crime in the sport sector

Abstract

This contribution discusses the relevance of criminology and forensic sciences approaches with regard to match-fixing detection. Existing studies on match-fixing have described offenders as rational actors, oriented to maximize their benefits in a field with low-risk detection by law enforcement systems. Often, this explanation is too simplistic, as it neglects the complexity of an offence which integrates multiple actors, with different aims in different places and various criminal activity processes. In our contribution, we further elaborate the rational choice perspective on match-fixing, by integrating the concept of crime script. Through crime scripts, it is possible to disentangle the multiple scenes that integrate the offence. This study is based on the analysis of four fixed matches, resulting on four specific crime scripts and a general script together with set of traces that may be exploited for the investigation. These scripts detailed the modus operandi used by the fixers. By integrating the criminological (using the rational choice theory) perspective, this could be useful to prevent and reduce re-offending while, from a forensic science perspective (assuming that offenders leave traces when fixing matches), this could help identify the possible traces that experts may exploit to support their investigations.

Authors

• Fiona Langlois, University of Lausanne (UNIL)

• Stefano Caneppele, University of Lausanne