A look behind the scenes: Crime and science at WGT 2025!

A look behind the scenes: Crime and science at WGT 2025!

Leipzig is preparing for two exciting days: On June 7th and 8th, 2025, an event will take place in the Kupfersaal that will deal with the gruesome side of crime and the social issues associated with it. The Kupfersaal is located at Kupfergasse 2, 04109 Leipzig, and the event starts at 12 p.m. A highlight is the participation of special guests, including Maximilian Doeckel and Jonathan Focke from Quarks Science Cops as well as Dr. Nahlah Saimeh, a renowned forensic psychiatrist, and Maximilian Pollu, a former intensive care offender and true crime podcaster.

The thematic blocks of the event are diverse and range from “Serious and Organized Crime” to “Vampires – Myth, Art and Science”. Among other things, Dr. Nahlah Saimeh will discuss causes and solutions in the context of organized crime, while Maximilian Doeckel and Jonathan Focke will design the block on “Dark Science”. Other topics include “Discrimination: Still an issue today?” and “Sexual Homicide Fantasy – Crime and Prevention.”

Critical examination of crime

The event is not only entertaining but also of scientific value. As explained in an article on Springer, forensic processing and criminology face particular challenges. There are often no solid formulas or experiments to research the causes of crime. This is underscored by the complex nature of crime, where data is often not simply given but generated through file entries or interviews. Obtaining reliable information on topics such as corruption or terrorism is therefore an extremely demanding undertaking.

The evaluation of scientific findings is difficult in this context because many results have no directly measurable effects. That is why crime forecasts are incorporated into intervention strategies, the success of which often only becomes apparent with a delay or does not appear at all because relapses cannot occur. This raises fundamental questions about the quality of risk assessment and creates the impression of non-committalness in crime research.

The role of criminology

Interestingly, criminology is often viewed from the outside as a “legitimacy science” whose results are used selectively. The contrast between methodological approaches, such as the positivist and constructivist approaches, influences the binding nature of scientific findings. Positivists look for regularities, while constructivists view perception as context-dependent. This discussion shows the complexity of crime research and the need to adapt the analysis criteria in order to make the findings of criminology useful for forensic science.

A “personal criminology” is required that sees people in their role as more than just bearers of statistical characteristics. Considering the topics covered at the event, it becomes clear how a deeper engagement with these contents can be important for both professionals and the general public. Further information can be found on the event homepage.