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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

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.
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.
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.
Faculty Reads, Volume Three

Faculty Reads, Volume Three

Northeastern faculty members have written at length on a wide range of topics. Here, we highlight the third batch of published works in a feature on recent faculty books.
Report: Surge in Homicides Involving Young Black Males and Guns

Report: Surge in Homicides Involving Young Black Males and Guns

Between 2002 and 2007, homicides involving black male juveniles as victims grew by 31 percent and, as perpetrators, by 43 percent, according to a report issued by Northeastern.