Topic 1: Identity Theft Define and discuss in detail routine activities theory. Explain how each component of routine activities theory would be applied when explaining the crime of identity theft....

Identity Theft and Routine Theory
Theory of Routine activities was developed by Cohen and Felson in 1979. This theory states that trigger point comes in play when three elements are present in order to commit a crime. These elements are an offender with strong intentions to commit the crime, capabilities to act on the inclinations, victim or target and situation is devoid of any guardian who can avoid this crime from taking place. All these three essential elements needs to converge in the time and space such that crime can takes place. Theory of routine activities gives macro perspective on crime since it can forecast the changes in social and economic situations impacts the crime and rate of victimization. Essentially, routine theory bases on the methodology of rational selection that looks for the optimum ways to attain a specific target without introspecting on the worthiness of the goal. This theory forms foundation of many of crimes and subsequent theories.
Crime of acquiring personal as well as financial information of another person with the main objective of making transactions and purchases. This is referred as Identity theft or Identity fraud. Applying routine activities theory focus on suitability of target and guardianship is critical with respect to victimization. Provided the inadequate knowledge about the identity theft offenders, routine activities gives attention to the victims, which enable greater understanding of trends and patterns. Indeed the...