Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice (MSCC)

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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11868/3669

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    Comparing the Effects of Victimization, School Connectedness, and Social Support on Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Adolescent Suicidality: A Partial Test of Minority Stress Theory
    (MSCC, The University of Tampa, 2022-12) Mandatori, Flavia; Dr. Gabriel Paez; Dr. Rhissa Briones Robinson; Dr. Rachel Severson
    Rising rates of suicide among adolescents constitute a pressing social concern, with extant research emphasizing that sexual minority adolescents are at significantly higher risk for suicide compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Thus, the current study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the impact that victimization, school connectedness, and social support have on heterosexual and sexual minority adolescent suicidality within the context of Minority Stress Theory (MST). The additional focus of the current study on multiple types of victimization allowed for a comparison of general stressors as predictors of adolescent suicidality. Findings highlighted significant effects of the three abovementioned components of MST on adolescent suicidality. Thus, recommended policy implications include implementing effective strategies to minimize adolescent suicide rates and prevent negative mental health outcomes.
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    Using “Barriers” in Kernel Density Estimation to Improve the Predictive Accuracy of Crime Forecasts: A Case Study of Three Florida Cities
    (MSCC, The University of Tampa, 2022-12) Coates, Kehara; Dr. Timothy C. Hart,; Dr. Gabriel R. Paez; Dr. Chivon H. Fitch
    Kernel density estimation (KDE) is one of the most popular crime hot spot mapping methods used to reduce and prevent crime. However, this technique does not consider where crime cannot occur within a study area when a crime risk surface is interpolated. Therefore, a knowledge gap exists as to how effective incorporating barriers into KDE analysis can be in producing more accurate prospective crime hot spot maps. Therefore, the current study investigated whether the predictive accuracy of crime forecasts based on KDE will improve when barriers to crime are incorporated into the analytic process.
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    Investigating the Influence of Tessellate Shapes on Crime Hot Spot Mapping Results: Do Hexagonal Grid Thematic Maps Outperform Conventional Thematic Maps?
    (MSCC, The University of Tampa, 2023-03-22) Rickson, Carli; Dr. Timothy C. Hart; Dr. Gabriel R. Paez; Dr. Nathan Connealy
    Grid-based thematic maps are spatial analysis tools used to identify patterns in crime. The grids used to create these maps are made up of tessellating shapes. Squares are the most often used tessellating shape by analysts and researchers yet receive negative feedback regarding their harsh visual appeal. Hexagons, on the other hand, are used less often but receive positive feedback for displaying a softer visual appeal. No research has further investigated the use of hexagons in grid-based thematic maps. The current research investigated if the use of hexagons in grid-based thematic maps has other effects beyond visual acuity. Six metrics (i.e., hit rate, predictive accuracy index, recapture rate index, area-to-perimeter ratio, clumpiness index, and dynamic variability index) were utilized to analyze the performance of grid-based prospective hot spot maps composed of squares and hexagons. Findings revealed mixed results. Only two metrics (area-to-perimeter ratio and clumpiness index) were found significant; an effect resulted from using hexagons in the grid-based maps for metrics that assess hot spot compactness and patrollability. These findings can influence the practice of practitioners and analysts through their methods of analysis as well as agencies and their means of resource allocation.