James Alan Fox

James Alan Fox in the Press

Keller: “Grievance murders” can find support on social media, expert says

“Social media has certainly had an impact,” said Northeastern University criminology Professor James Alan Fox. “If someone has a grudge, a grievance, they can find other people online who will support them, who confirm their ideology.”

Is Boston the ‘safest major city’? Is Josh Kraft really new to town? The Globe is fact-checking Boston mayor’s race.

James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University, said that trend has been relatively consistent over time, thanks in part to the state’s strict gun laws and top hospitals. On homicide data, “we’re not always number one lowest, but we’re always on the low end, as is our state,” Fox said.

A grim series of deaths across New England has sparked fears of a serial killer. Here’s what the authorities say.

In fact, the far-reaching geography makes a serial killer theory less likely, according to James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University.

Newsweek

America Sees Rise in Female Shooters—FBI Data

James Alan Fox, a professor of criminology at Northeastern University, told Newsweek the increase is “in all likelihood an aberration that will be reversed next year.”

Donald Trump, the conservationist conservative

The first bit of encouraging news comes from criminology professor James Alan Fox, who oversees the Associated Press/USA Today/Northeastern University Mass Killing Database: So far this year, there have been zero deadly mass shootings in a public place. By comparison, there were three in 2024, and a record 10 the year before that.

The Independent

From theft to cabin safety, how do cruise ships deal with crime at sea?

While cruise lines take issues of crime seriously, Dr James Fox, a professor of criminology at Northeastern University in Boston, regularly studies this data and says the rate of violent crime at sea is around 95 per cent lower than an average US city.

This year there have been zero public deadly mass shootings

Op-ed by James Alan Fox, a professor of criminology, law and public policy at Northeastern University and the author of “Extreme Killing: Understanding Serial and Mass Murder.” He oversees the Associated Press/USA Today/Northeastern University Mass Killing Database.

FBI warns of potential ‘copycat’ vehicle ramming after deadly New Orleans attack

James Alan Fox, a professor of criminology, law and public policy at Northeastern University, said after the New Orleans attack that while vehicle rammings remain relatively rare among mass-casualty incidents in the United States, “they can be quite deadly” in contrast to a gun attack.

The myth of the mass shooting epidemic

Op-ed by James Alan Fox, a professor of criminology, law, and public policy at Northeastern University and coauthor of “Extreme Killing: Understanding Serial and Mass Murder.” He oversees the Associated Press/USA Today/Northeastern University Mass Killing Database.

Cheap and deadly: Why vehicle terror attacks like the Bourbon Street ramming are on the rise

James Alan Fox, a professor of criminology, law and public policy at Northeastern University, said that while vehicle rammings remain relatively rare among mass-casualty incidents in the United States, “they can be quite deadly” in contrast to a gun attack.

Jay Logsdon, center, an attorney representing Bryan Kohberger, second from left, standing in a court room speaking. In the background there is a screen with several people calling into the hearing.

The Bryan Kohberger plea deal without the victims’ families’ consultation is normal, says Northeastern expert

The man charged with killing four University of Idaho students was offered a deal to plead guilty and serve four life sentences.

Spectators watch a fireworks show on the 4th of July.

Why is July Fourth the most violent day of the year?

There are more mass killings and mass shootings on July 4 than any other day of the year. Northeastern’s James Alan Fox explains why.

A section of yellow crime scene tape reading “CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS” stretches across a wooded area with leaves and branches in the background.

Is a serial killer stalking New England? Northeastern experts say the evidence doesn’t add up

Professor James Alan Fox says the known evidence doesn’t support theories involving 12 human remains found recently in three states.

Three people walking outside of a school in Wisconsin by a police car with it's lights on.

Mass shootings by women are rare, Northeastern criminologist says after Wisconsin school tragedy

“Ninety-five percent of mass shootings are committed by men,” says James Alan Fox in reference to a shooting by a 15-year-old female.

A police officer on the scene of a crime behind yellow caution tape.

Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO ‘likely an act of revenge,’ says Northeastern criminologist

A shooting in downtown Manhattan this week that resulted in the death of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO has all the hallmarks of a revenge killing.

Police gathered outside the high school after a shooting.

Georgia school shooting is a reminder that mass killings are tragic but rare, Northeastern criminologist says

Among the nine mass killings at K-12 schools since 2006, James Alan Fox says, this was the first to happen so early in the academic year.

Law enforcement officers gathered at the rally site in Butler, Pa.

Motive in Trump assassination attempt may never be discovered, Northeastern expert says

In the case of Thomas Matthew Crooks, who authorities say attempted to kill Trump, determining a motive may prove even more difficult.

Bouquets of wrapped flowers on a wall in Maine.

Texas attacks add to record-setting year for US mass shootings

There have been 39 mass shootings in 2023 — three more than last year's U.S. record — says James Alan Fox, a Northeastern professor.

headshots of Ted Bundy, the Zodiac Killer, Jeffrey Dahmer, and The Boston Strangler

Why are there fewer serial killers now than there used to be?

Despite the outsized place serial killers hold in popular culture, the number of known serial murderers has plummeted since the 1970s and 1980s. Northeastern University experts say changes in policing, incarceration, technology and parenting might explain why.

The story behind the data on mass murder in the United States

News coverage after two recent mass shootings relied upon a common source for context: The AP/USATODAY/Northeastern University Mass Killing database. That’s because it’s the most comprehensive, most up-to-date repository of information on U.S. mass killings.

If reestablished to educate kids, the Presidential Fitness Test could address obesity in American children

Using invasive wetland grasses, Northeastern grads adopt a green approach to stop erosion

How did Netflix’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ take over the world and become a global phenomenon?

Parasitic diseases researcher talks ‘flesh-eating’ screwworm infection after first confirmed human case in US