Scoping Study on Application of Psychology Oriented Content Analysis in Law Enforcement

Abstract

The application of content analysis is prevalent in the last few years. In Hungary, Laszlo et al. (2005, 2011) have been developed the methodology of narrative psychological approach, based on scientific principles. The method allows the identification of individual or group related psychological constructs by the analysis of the word-formations, the schema and the language structure of a text. The content analysis can be applied successfully as a therapeutic tool in different psychopathological symptoms, as well as in the law enforcement. The currently active extremist individuals and radical organizations widely use the internet to communicate with each other and to publish their concept. The monitoring and scientific interpretation of their virtual movements are necessary during the preventive work and investigation. The psychology oriented content analysis can help to identify the meaning and significance behind the statements and publications of potentially dangerous persons or groups. The author of the article describes the applicability of the analyzed method in certain fields of the law enforcement.