Internertional Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) Advanced Officer Certification Practice Exam

Which components make up the Triangle of Crime?

1. Ability, Opportunity, Random Access.

2. Access, Desire, Opportunity.

3. Opportunity, Desire, Ability.

4. Opportunity, Unattended Items, Desire.

The correct answer is: Opportunity, Desire, Ability.

The Triangle of Crime is a fundamental concept in criminology that helps to understand the conditions under which crime occurs. The correct answer identifies three crucial elements: Opportunity, Desire, and Ability. Opportunity refers to the circumstances that allow a crime to take place. If a potential target is accessible and there is no effective surveillance or deterrents in place, the opportunity for crime increases. Desire relates to the motivation behind committing the crime. This can be driven by various factors, such as economic need, personal grievances, or psychological impulses. A person may have a strong desire to steal, vandalize, or harm others, which plays a significant role in their likelihood of committing a crime. Ability encompasses the skills or resources necessary to execute a criminal act. This could include physical strength, knowledge of a security system, tools needed to break in, or even a network of accomplices. Without the ability, the desire and opportunity might not result in a crime being committed. Together, these three components create a framework for understanding the dynamics of criminal behavior, emphasizing that all three must be present for a crime to occur. Understanding this triangle allows security professionals and law enforcement to develop strategies to intervene at various points to prevent crime.