Do students at universities with honor codes cheat less than students at universities without honor codes?
Does the code of ethics actually prevent fraud?
Does the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) reduces the rate of financial fraud? Or is it just a waste of investor funds?
These are just some examples of topics we will explore in the area of fraud prevention.Fraud prevention requires a theoretical understanding of fraudster or criminal motives (e.g., poor people cheat more), and empirical assessment of the effectiveness of various prevention programs, techniques or tools (e.g., SOX). There have been a lot of theories and techniques, but evaluation of their validity or reliability is not always considered in a systematic fashion.
For example, Dr. Dan Ariely’s experiments on cheating provide many valuable insights for evidence-based recommendations for fraud detection.
Evidence-based recommendations will be published here as MFF students translate the scientific literature on fraud prevention into actionable recommendations for fraud-fighting professionals.
Center for Evidence-Based Fraud and Forensics 
My name is Celeta Smith and I have taken MFF715 in 2012 and worked on the topical area of Fraud Prevention.
I really enjoyed this class and it has changed my perception on a lot of things such as confessions, DNA evidence, experiments and statistics. I always wondered why people would confess to crimes they didn’t commit. I never considered the notoriety, mental state of the individual or the inconsistencies in an investigation. This class has also opened my eyes to evidence based research that proves claims made by using scientific data. Confessions are not enough to ensure a conviction. The burden of proof is on the justice system to ensure the confession has been scientifically proven, the proper protocol has been followed by law enforcement and the same process is used in each case to show uniformity. DNA evidence as it relates to the Innocence Project gave me some insight on the justice system in the past and where it is today. My idea of experiments and statistics has been questioned so many times in this class that I’ve revamped my train of thought. I always though experiments were fool proof and statistics were accurate. Now I’ve taken into consideration biases, inconsistencies and incorrect sample sizes.
The challenges I experienced in this course was in the research. I had to change my way of thinking because the first assignment had more opinion based evidence which at the time seemed evidence based to me. After receiving feedback on the assignment I was able to look for concrete evidence that proved theory, related to examples and supported my recommendations. There were cases and products that had little or no evidence to support their claims and I had to include that in my commentary. I always thought it would be difficult to explain without proof but it wasn’t as challenging as the weeks went on. After the initial weeks I found it was easier to go into the assignment knowing the evidence could support or deny my recommendation. Working in groups was a bit of a challenge because I took the class during the holiday season. We have different schedules and study habits so there were times when I was ready to move forward and had to wait on my group in order to do so. We had a group project due on Thanksgiving which was a disaster. If I had an individual assignment it would have been better. People travel, have family come in and they must prepare so trying to get everyone on board for a group paper on a major holiday was a challenge.
As I complete the program and prepare for the CFE I can take away a lot of good information from this class. I learned to do my own research or validate someone else’s before I accept it as a reliable source. I now know how to relate topics with very little in common to show how they both relate to a theory. When discussing accuracy we showed the similarities and differences between fraud and criminal investigation. This was helpful and allowed me to think outside the box and as a fraud examiner this is important. I never want to become complacent and look at my cases with tunnel vision. I need to keep up with trends in fraud, investigating and new products or services. I don’t want to become comfortable with a traditional way of thinking or investigating and ignore new innovative ways to do an efficient job.
I took Forensic Research/Analysis (MFF 715) in the fall semester of 2012. I was involved in the Fraud Prevention team but also learned about fraud detection, investigation and other relevant topics through the research of my fellow students, our weekly lectures and the (extremely interesting) assigned readings. The topic most impressed upon me was the importance of using scientific evidence in my writing and research. Most students are introduced to the scientific method in secondary school with a reintroduction to it during their undergraduate degree. However, despite the positive feedback and grades I may have received as an undergrad, this class has opened my eyes to how little I truly knew about properly using and identifying scientific evidence. I have a new understanding and appreciation for how important it is to separate true scientific evidence from “junk science”. I was then able to put these concepts to use with my teammates as we brainstormed potential fraud prevention theories and used empirical research and valid evidence to support our ideas.
The portion of this class that I enjoyed the most was the quick and thorough feedback from the professor. Some courses do not provide the feedback that is necessary in order to grow intellectually. This course provides a forum for discussion with a professor who is an expert in the field as well as a chance to brainstorm with peers, many of whom have great experience and backgrounds as well. The interactions, discussions and feedback helped me to more thoroughly understand the key concepts of the course and improve my research and writing.
The challenges of this course appear to be necessary evils. The group work was the most overwhelming challenge because organizing the schedules for all group members is very difficult, especially during the holiday season. The work for this course is not scarce and kept me busy almost every night of the week. However, the group work is necessary to emulate the teamwork will all inevitably partake in with our future careers (if we haven’t already) and the course load is heavy due to the brief duration of the class. Also, the course being completely online served obvious challenges with communication and a lack of human connection but without these internet based courses we would be unable to connect to students, professors, classes and courses that geography may otherwise keep us from encountering.
Despite these challenges we were able to learn important concepts that were supplemented with assigned readings from books such as Convicting the Innocent (2011) by B. Garrett, which put the necessary use of scientific evidence into a real life perspective for us all. We learned about how 250 prisoners were exonerated after being scientifically proven innocent (and that’s just the prisoners the Innocence Project knew about!). These exonerees spent an average of 13 years in prison for crimes they did not commit. This for me really drove home how important the use of true scientific evidence is and how seriously I should take my research. I realized that the things I could say as a future expert witness or do in my every day job could impact the lives of others and I do not want to risk using putting myself or others at risk with invalid research. MFF 715 has forever impacted the way I will do research and function in my daily career capacities. Thanks to this class I learned how to properly research, how to identify true scientific evidence, and how the improper use of information can drastically impact people and the vast realms of fraud prevention, detection and investigation.
I am coming to the end of my MFF715 Forensic/Research & Analysis (2012) and my team’s topic project was fraud prevention. In the beginning of this course, I was so terribly frightened because I am not a lover of anything science; my start to the class was a huge dislike for the scientific method. After looking at the syllabus, I really was in a panic. I discovered I had to participate in a group term project to create a Fraud Magazine manuscript with evidence-based recommendations; evidence-based recommendations with a scientific basis. I was so ready to withdrawal from the program because science and I are not love soul mates. Needless to say, I pushed through and I am now in the last week of the course. I will say I have a new found respect for the science community. Surprisingly, the very topic that I enjoyed gaining insight on was gaining an in-depth understanding of the scientific method and how to apply it to fraud prevention and determining the validity of research that claimed to be scientific to create evidence based recommendations for our Fraud Magazine manuscript. That part was fun, everything else I plead the fifth. I can confidently say, I know scientific research when I examine the details of the experiment.
During this course, I was challenged by several issues but I will focus on the ones that helped me grow, which was collaborating with a team, and accepting criticism. First, I want it known that I enjoyed working and learning with my team, these ladies are intelligent, dedicated, and encouraging; the issue was learning to leave my ego in narcissism prison. When you think you are producing great work, it is a blow to hear otherwise. This course has truly opened my eyes to the true intent behind feedback, which is growth and improvement. Once that lesson sunk in I became an improved worker bee and team member to my group and learned so much from not just my team but fellow classmates. This course was demanding, tough, and stressful but I would do it again because while learning about scientific evidence, I learned why peer review is so relevant and important.
This course has provided me with skills that I will be able to use no matter what direction my career takes me, and where it takes me I will keep the scientific method and the valuable lesson on peer review feedback close to me in my pocket protector.
My name is Kristyn Stang and I took MFF715 Forensic Research and Analysis in Fall of 2012, with the topic of Fraud Prevention.
Before embarking in this course, I only thought of scientific research as something that applied to the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, etc.). However this course has taught me that scientific research can be used in many different fields. This was not something I was expecting to learn going into the MFF program, however, I’m glad that this course was provided. As future fraud investigators, understanding the scientific research method and the value of scientific evidence is so important. You will be surprised by how many common assumptions and techniques used in this field are unsupported and yet widely accepted by many experts. It all but forces you into professional skepticism. We must make sure we are reliably constructing our cases, as people’s lives are at risk.
Of course, this class came with its challenges. Most notable is the group work. There are people from all around the country and world enrolled in this course. Bringing everybody together at one time proves very difficult. Alongside that, everyone comes from different backgrounds and has different opinions. There are a lot of frustrating, hard fought battles that take place and you really learn how to compromise. Group work is never easy, but it is a skill that needs to be acquired. Very rarely will you work alone in your career, and I think outside of the course material, this class also taught me a lot about the skills of working with other people.
As someone hoping to begin a career in fraud and forensics, I know that I will carry what I learned in MFF715 with me for a long time. As I stated above, I have a better understanding of the implications my work will have on other people and how important it is to make sure I am using reliable methods to construct my cases.
My name is Con Nikolaou and I have taken MFF715 in year 2012 and worked on the topical area of Fraud Prevention.
I thoroughly enjoyed the learning experience and I was able to learn how to apply scientific evidence in my work and research in fraud prevention. I’ve also learned how to also apply scientific evidence in fraud investigation and detection from the other fellow students’ groups and their work and presentations. Working in the fraud field for many years and receiving education of this calibre, makes you feel that all the work that you were doing from experience it was based on the scientific method, but simply you thought it was part of your normal job. Having said that, I can say that I’ve learned and I was amazed to learn about the exonerees’ cases and Garrett’s book “Convicting the Innocent” will be in my office as a great future reference manual. Ariely’s experiments were also very interesting and detailed proving simple things in life, in a scientific method, but so true!
I was also amazed in the way the investigations are conducted in the US from law enforcement and fraud investigators. In Australia, the polygraph test for example, cannot be forced on anyone and it is not evidence that you can submit in court. Leading questions and physical or psychological force during interviews are not to be considered at all, if as an investigator you wish to have the case heard in court, a defence lawyer will throw any case like that out of court.
I’ve mentioned this before but how significant is the “innocent project” that encourages scientifically sound and quality forensics, something that should have been in place right from the beginning of any case starting at the discovery and investigation phases!
The comments from my fellow students and critiques were excellent guide. The support, guidance and encouragement from our professor throughout this course is the best that I have received as a student from other lecturers at universities for more than six years that I have studied in the past. Also the team work experience that I had with another student in my group was great. All the course material and lectures and instructions on Blackboard each week were clear and informative to complete my tasks.
I’m living in Sydney, the only challenges that I’ve experienced were the 12 or 14 hours’ time difference from the rest of the class. It is difficult, can be stressful and requires patience however, with an understanding group/team member and very helpful and supportive professor, I felt at ease. The volume of work was also very intense however; with a good timetable, discipline and a good study program this should be managed well.
This course gave me the insight to base all my investigations on scientific evidence, also to determine what is based on scientific research and what is not, when I write reports. It gave me the insight in the way I will view statistics and experiments from now on, I will take into consideration biases, sample sizes whether these are correct or not, also inconsistencies that influences the outcome. Has influenced the way I will be conducting my researches and investigations from now on.
I’ve come to the end of an amazing journey this semester after completing MFF715 Forensic Research and Analysis in Fall of 2012. Our team topic was Fraud Prevention and I am happy to say that we were team P1 although that has no significance outside of class. Prior to this course I was familiar with evidence based practices in the criminal justice field with various federal grants I’ve worked on. They are very important with addressing the correctional programming and treatment needs of offenders. In fact, I believe the only hope in reforming the corrections environment and reducing recidivism is to incorporate evidence based recommendations. I had never imagined in a million years that I would be challenged with two of the most difficult tasks 1.) Developing 3 evidence based recommendations for fraud prevention and 2.) Developing those recommendations with 3 strangers.
The course began very bright eyed and bushy tailed for all 4 of us. We were hopeful optimists because after all, as individuals we were academically and professionally solid and saw our collaboration as a “dream team”. I had no idea that these 5 weeks would test the very essence of our patience, character, and resilience. This entire course was a team project and I think that should be explained in better detail very early on. The workload was insane and mixed with families, professions, and the everyday grind of a non-traditional graduate student life was running at warp speed. With that said, the factors which contributed to kinks along the way were: not being able to decipher tone in email conversations, having due dates during times when school usually has a break ie. holidays, and of course working with people you aren’t famaliar with.
I learned how important it is to stop relying so heavily on our field experience and the common wisdoms, hunches, and opinions that life have equipped us with. Thinking outside of the box is the only way to leave the confinements of what we’ve been taught in our professions and to begin to apply new methods. This course used very unique readings and I enjoyed each book and will keep them as I move forward.
My preparation for a new career in Fraud & Forensics has been enhanced by the experience of MFF715 Forensic Research and Analysis. I feel better prepared to evaluate evidence using the scientific method, I can challenge more sources with confidence, and understand the manuscript writing process. Depending upon others where grades are concerned is tough. Taking direction from someone other than the professor for how to improve your work is even tougher. Putting aside your differences, rebounding from disappointments without placing blame, and staying connected long enough to see the work to completion was the toughest.
Susan Rice
As part of the course requirement in Carlow University’s Master’s of Fraud and Forsenic program I completed MFF 715 in year 2012 and worked on the topical area of Fraud Prevention.
MFF 715: Forensic Research and Analysis was an informative, exciting and interesting course. It covered scientific research including case studies that demonstrated how they were developed and carried out to reach a final conclusion. I learned that hunches are not sufficient reason to base a decision instead my decisions should be based on information discovered through scientific research.
Because this is an online course numerous challenges existed with some being time differences between myself, my team member and the assignment deadlines. Collaboration was somewhat difficult because my team member was a half of day ahead of me. We were able to overcome the challenges to develop a quality manuscript with the aide of our Instructor, and peer review.
As a future fraud examiner I leave this class with the knowledge that I must base my decisions on evidence produced from scientific research and not on hunches or the perception that when “EF Hutton speak everybody listens”, EF Hutton is no longer in business. Failure to use reliable and validated data may result in the loss of wealth or freedom for others.
My name is Tiffany Johnson. I have taken MFF 715 this past year (2012) . My team concentrated in the area of fraud prevention.
After having completed this course, I can honestly say my way of approaching research has changed. As a student, I always thought that as long as the information was coming from a credible source, it was legitimate. This, I learned, is not always the case. Many people speak about things and make claims to which there is no scientific proof. In a world in which science plays such a major role, I have learned to always check where the facts/information is coming from. As a future fraud investigator, having this as part of my thought process is invaluable. As I learned from the exonerees in Brandon Garrett’s book, “Convicting the Innocent: Where Criminal Prosecutions Go Wrong,” having scientific based methodologies in place can save a life.
I think the biggest challenge for this course is understanding when it is okay to use something that may be able to be proven scientifically. While one cannot discount experience, it can only take you so far. Scientific research can yield proof beyond a reasonable doubt, something that cannot be easily overturned. As I prepare for my professional career, I know that I must always remain conscious of this.
My name is Ashley Dietz and I have taken the MFF715 course at Carlow University in 2012, focusing within the topical area of Fraud Prevention with a team project focus on pre-employment processes.
This course has completely altered my thinking on evidence and criminal processes. The knowledge and insight I have gained has provided me with a clearer picture for reviewing information based upon scientific research and evidence to determine if it is useful based upon validity. Utilizing the group format for the research process provided many different viewpoints and thoughts leading my thinking process to significantly expand on the topic of fraud prevention concerning pre-employment processes.
Challenges I have experienced within the course involve the team aspect. Often many team members have many opinions that differ, and a foundation of team work is considering opposing opinions and working together as a unit to compromise and decide on the best course of action. This course also challenged me to reconsider information I may have previously utilized when completing an assignment, to ensure the research is scientific based.
I believe this course has better prepared me for identifying and writing in a clear, concise, and evidence based manner. Also, I believe my team skills and patience have found a new perspective and I am hoping these skills are able to be utilized in a positive way in the future. In addition, I believe the time management skills required from this course have positively enhanced my current skills which I am always looking to improve.
I enjoy this program and am anxious for the additional knowledge I will be gaining in the future!