Article in the special issue
What Do We Know About Ritual Crime: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Meta-Synthesis
- Virginia State University, USA
Abstract
This study examines the structural factors contributing to ritual crime, focusing on socioeconomic inequality, cultural belief systems, and institutional limitations. A systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis were conducted using peer-reviewed sources from JSTOR, SAGE Journals, and Academic Search Complete. Thirteen articles were included following a structured search and screening process. The findings identified five major themes: ideological justification and belief systems, symbolic and ritualistic practices, social control and power structures, group dynamics and collective identity, and structural vulnerability and victimization. Ritual crime was more prevalent in contexts marked by poverty, limited education, weak institutional oversight, and culturally embedded supernatural beliefs.
Keywords
How to cite (APA 7)
Carter, M., & Bolli, P. (2025). What Do We Know About Ritual Crime: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Meta-Synthesis. International Journal of Justice and Police Sciences, 1(2), 244–274. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22200723