The strategic prototype "crime-sourcing" and the science/science fiction behind it

Abstract

Science fiction prototyping (SFP) and crowdsourcing are among a range of promising methodologies that are set to transform all spheres of human landscape be it science, business or social. This paper exploits the SFP and crowdsourcing methodologies and presents "crime-sourcing", a prototype designed to explore futuristic crowdsourcing ideas. Its purpose is to provide a fictional scenario that speculates how crowdsourcing could be blended with future technology to develop a "crime-to-conviction" model. This scenario takes the cyber-space concept of crowdsourcing and then transfers it to a hybrid cyber/physical business model context. The story aligns itself with Zuckerman's doctrine that while there is human tendency to "flock together" in crowds, most of our social ties, online or offline, are only with a small set of people with whom we have much in common. The paper concludes with a discussion on contribution of this paper to crowdsourcing theory and the challenges that need to be overcome if prototyping is to become an established foresight methodology. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.