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Caroline Lieselotte von der Heyden

Ruhruniversität Bochum (RUB)

This book examines the tools and the mindset behind estimating the costs of crime and using cost-benefit-analysis (CBA) in criminal justice policy. In an era of “prevention”, there seems to be a growing interest in developing a more profound body of knowledge of cost and benefit figures on crime and crime prevention measures. The author derives a set of criteria from international research and practice, and she concludes with a set of recommendations on how to enhance this particular research branch in Germany. As she makes the case for standardized methodologies, she redirects the attention to the European cost of crime assessment model (MMECC), which has been developed as part of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) supporting policy oriented research (2008). This scientific inventory addresses the topic from a criminological perspective, in order to facilitate the related discourse on evidence-based policy making in Germany, as well as to promote the discussion at European level.