Modern crime prevention is characterised by hybrid legal constructions combining elements from various different fields of law. This particularly applies to the combination of criminal law and administrative law, but also of criminal law and adult protection law. Given these current developments, Anna Coninx takes a research approach covering multiple disciplines of law and is particularly interested in fundamental questions falling into interface areas. She also undertakes research into traditional substantive criminal law and criminal process law, with her research specialisms also including sanction law and the philosophy of law.

Her current and past research projects cover the following topics:

Foundations of criminal law

• State of emergency as justification and basis for exclusion of guilt
• Offences dangerous to public safety

Criminal procedure law and the principles of constitutional law

• Foundations of coercive measures law
• Criminal procedure preventative detention
• Presumption of innocence
• Principle of proportionality
• Engel doctrine

Criminal procedure, administrative law and civil law measures for hazard prevention

• Foundations of risk prevention law measures
• Custodial measures in criminal law, administrative law and civil law
• Occupational and operational disqualifications
• Suspension of driver’s licences
• Risk projection

Criminal law and institutions

• Privatisation of the penal system
• Criminal records law

Philosophy of law

• Criminal justice theory
• Theories of justice
• Emergency law

Comparative law

• Philosophical foundations of common law
• Preventative criminal law and sanction law in England/Wales and Germany