What works and what does not work to reduce homicides in Brazil: a systematic review

Abstract

This article aims to identify the scientific evidence in Brazil on what works and what does not work to reduce the number of homicides. This is the first systematic review ever conducted in the country on the effectiveness of public security programs, using the same methodology as the Maryland Report, conducted in 1997, which reviewed the studies produced in English and is considered a milestone in the emergence of the so-called evidence-based crime prevention paradigm (EBCP). The review resulted in a total of 13,352 studies, of which 41 met the inclusion criteria, resulting in the identification of 8 types of programs that work, 7 promising programs, 7 programs with undefined results, and 2 programs with evidence that shows they do not work. The study showed that the country has innovative programs that effectively reduce homicides, while actions traditionally cited as solutions do not present scientific evidence that they work. Although lagging behind international development, the EBCP presents the potential to increase the effectiveness of public spending, help the country to reduce violence, and overcome decision-making processes based on beliefs, corporatism, prejudice, and political populism.

Keywords:
crime prevention evidence-based; evidence-based public policies; violence prevention; policing and democracy