Engineering out crime
As a researcher for the Midlands Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice at Loughborough University, Shaun investigated ways of designing out mobile phone theft as well as tackling cyber-crime. This included visiting prisons to interview offenders. In a strange twist, this also resulted in him being one of the few people to ever be thrown out of prison, but that’s a long story….
Shaun also created the “magic bullet” concept. In this highly original device, a “bullet” was designed that could not be distinguished from the real thing – identical to a 44 “Magnum” cartridge. It would be introduced into the black market. However, if a criminal tried to use it, rather than firing, it would send a burst of mobile phone signal to precisely identify the location of the criminal to the authorities. Imagine the implications.
Whitehead, S.; Farrell, G. (2008) — Anticipating Mobile Phone “Smart Wallet” Crime: Policing and Corporate Social Responsibility (journal article).
McCardle, J.; Storer, I.; Torrens, G.; Whitehead, S.; Mailley, J.; Farrell, G. (2011) — Offending Users: Designing-in Deterrence with Mobile Telephones (journal article, The Design Journal).
Mailley, J.; Whitehead, S.; Farrell, G. (2006) — Progress and Prospects in the Prevention of Mobile Phone Theft (Justice of the Peace).
Mailley, J.; Whitehead, S.; Farrell, G. (2006) — Bring on the Safety Razr: The Top-10 Stolen Mobile Phones (Justice of the Peace).
Mailley, J.; Garcia, R.; Whitehead, S.; Farrell, G. (2008) — Phone Theft Index (journal article, Security Journal).
Kaplankiran, T.; Mailley, J.; Whitehead, S.; Farrell, G. (2008) — Mobile Phone Reprogramming: Its Extent and Prevention (journal article, Crime Prevention and Community Safety).
Whitehead, S.; Mailley, J.; Storer, I.; McCardle, J.; Torrens, G.; Farrell, G. (2007/2008) — IN SAFE HANDS: A Review of Mobile Phone Anti-theft Designs (journal article; often indexed with 2008).
Brookson, C.; Farrell, G.; Mailley, J.; Whitehead, S.; Zumerle, D. (2007) — ICT Product Proofing Against Crime (ETSI White Paper No. 5 / technical report).
Mailley, J.; Whitehead, S.; Farrell, G. (2007) — Product Proofing Against Crime (ETSI Security Workshop presentation / conference deck).
Farrell, G. (with Shaun Whitehead) (2007) — Phone alert: Mobile phone theft index (indexed as a publication record with Shaun Whitehead associated).