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Big data in criminology and criminal justice through the lens of the business literature

Whether in government agencies, corporate and non-corporate organisations, or virtually any other institution, the internet has launched the world into an era where enormous amounts of data are generated every day through new and evolving technologies, carrying both positive and negative consequences. The objective of this chapter is to demonstrate the critical importance of big data for criminology and criminal justice through the lens of the business literature. First, the business literature on big data is examined to gain a deeper understanding of the general challenges associated with big data, but also solutions to make the best of big data. Second, the challenges noted in the first part are revisited but within the fields of criminology and criminal justice. In this chapter, the aim of our discussion on big data in criminology and criminal justice (and that of the rest of the chapters of this volume) is an attempt to help reshape the debates associated with big data, its benefits and challenges, in order to derive potential solutions.