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James Alan Fox
The Lipman Family Professor of Criminology, Law and Public Policy

James Alan Fox in the Press

James Alan Fox for Northeastern Global News

The Bryan Kohberger plea deal without the victims’ families’ consultation is normal, says Northeastern expert
Jay Logsdon, center, an attorney representing Bryan Kohberger, second from left, standing in a court room speaking. In the background there is a screen with several people calling into the hearing.

The Bryan Kohberger plea deal without the victims’ families’ consultation is normal, says Northeastern expert

Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students, is expected to take a plea deal in the case.
Why is July Fourth the most violent day of the year?
Spectators watch a fireworks show on the 4th of July.

Why is July Fourth the most violent day of the year?

Why does the 4th of July have more mass shootings than any other day? Expert James Alan Fox explains the troubling trend and its causes.
Is a serial killer stalking New England? Northeastern experts say the evidence doesn’t add up
A section of yellow crime scene tape reading “CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS” stretches across a wooded area with leaves and branches in the background.

Is a serial killer stalking New England? Northeastern experts say the evidence doesn’t add up

Northeastern experts say speculation about a serial killer in New England lacks supporting evidence, despite viral social media theories.
Mass shootings by women are rare, Northeastern criminologist says after Wisconsin school tragedy
Three people walking outside of a school in Wisconsin by a police car with it's lights on.

Mass shootings by women are rare, Northeastern criminologist says after Wisconsin school tragedy

A criminologist says most mass shootings are committed by men, in reference to a school shooting by a 15-year-old female in Wisconsin.
Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO ‘likely an act of revenge,’ says Northeastern criminologist
A police officer on the scene of a crime behind yellow caution tape.

Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO ‘likely an act of revenge,’ says Northeastern criminologist

A shooting that resulted in the death of UnitedHealthcare’s chief executive officer has all the hallmarks of a revenge killing.
Georgia school shooting is a reminder that mass killings are tragic but rare, Northeastern criminologist says
Police gathered outside the high school after a shooting.

Georgia school shooting is a reminder that mass killings are tragic but rare, Northeastern criminologist says

The shooting that claimed four lives was the ninth mass killing at a K-12 school in the U.S. since 2006, a criminologist says.
Motive in Trump assassination attempt may never be discovered, Northeastern expert says
Law enforcement officers gathered at the rally site in Butler, Pa.

Motive in Trump assassination attempt may never be discovered, Northeastern expert says

In the case of Thomas Matthew Crooks, who authorities say attempted to assassinate Trump, determining a motive may prove even more difficult.
Texas attacks add to record-setting year for US mass shootings
Bouquets of wrapped flowers on a wall in Maine.

Texas attacks add to record-setting year for US mass shootings

There have now been 39 mass shootings in 2023 — 3 more than the US record established last year — according to an expert on the phenomena.
Why are there fewer serial killers now than there used to be?
headshots of Ted Bundy, the Zodiac Killer, Jeffrey Dahmer, and The Boston Strangler

Why are there fewer serial killers now than there used to be?

Despite the outsized place serial killers hold in pop culture, the number of known serial killers has dropped since the 70s & 80s.
The story behind the data on mass murder in the United States

The story behind the data on mass murder in the United States

News coverage after two recent mass shootings relied upon a common source for context: The AP/USATODAY/Northeastern University Mass Killing database. That’s because it’s the most comprehensive, most up-to-date repository of information on U.S. mass killings.