The Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony (Kriminologisches Forschungsinstitut Niedersachen; KFN) is an independent and interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to researching deviant behaviour. Our research team currently consists of around 25 researchers from the fields of psychology, social sciences, and law.
Since February 2021, the KFN has been divided into three research units, which are located on the three levels of the KFN building.
The causes and development of deviant behaviour research unit examines the extent to which individual changes (e.g., biographical developments) and social change processes (e.g., structural change, globalisation) can explain the causes of deviant behaviour. In addition, in the context of dark figure monitoring, longitudinal observations relating to crime development in Germany are ongoing. Along with other methods, such observations are made via the conduction of regular student, as well as population, surveys. Finally, this research unit examines the meaning that society ascribes to crime and how norm deviations are handled.
Causes and development of deviant behaviour
Head of research unit:
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Radicalisation within the digital age (RadigZ) | Evaluation for the storage personal data of minors (Article 33 paragraph 2 VSG NRW) | School surveys | The development of criminal activity amongst the non-German population in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein | Catcalling |
Causes and development of deviant behaviourHead of research unit:
|
| Radicalisation within the digital age (RadigZ) Evaluation for the storage personal data of minors (Article 33 paragraph 2 VSG NRW) School surveys The development of criminal activity amongst the non-German population in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein Catcalling |
The forms and consequences of deviant behaviour research unit explores socially significant crime phenomena in relation to their specific manifestations, forms, and consequences for those affected. In phenomenological terms, research into cybercrime, violence, and addiction constitute the main strands of the research unit. In addition, the research unit explores a wide range of victimological issues. Here, particular attention is paid to the material, physical, and psychological consequences of criminal offences, as well as victims’ rights within criminal proceedings.
The institutions of social control research unit mainly examines the scope and practices of institutions that are responsible for formal social control at the state level. The main focus lies within the work of law enforcement authorities, courts, correctional facilities, and secure forensic psychiatric units. Other state institutions, such as the protection of the constitution or child and youth welfare services, are also of interest. In addition, the research unit studies the social control exercised by private institutions in their respective fields (e.g., DFB Sports Court or organisational justice).