Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony (KFN)

The Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony (Kriminologisches Forschungsinstitut Niedersachen;
KFN) is an independent and interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to researching deviant behaviour.
The causes and development of deviant behaviour research unit examines the extent to which individual
changes (e.g., biographical developments) and social change processes (e.g., structural change, globalisation)
can explain the causes of deviant behaviour. In addition, in the context of dark figure monitoring, longitudinal
observations relating to crime development in Germany are ongoing. Along with other methods, such
observations are made via the conduction of regular student, as well as population, surveys.
The forms and consequences of deviant behaviour research unit explores socially significant crime phenomena
in relation to their specific manifestations, forms, and consequences for those affected. In phenomenological
terms, research into cybercrime, violence, and addiction constitute the main strands of the research unit. In
addition, the research unit explores a wide range of victimological issues.
The institutions of social control research unit mainly examines the scope and practices of institutions that are
responsible for formal social control at the state level. The main focus lies within the work of law
enforcement authorities, courts, correctional facilities, and secure forensic psychiatric units. Other state
institutions are also of interest.