What does the ex post facto method involve?

The ex post facto method pertains to studying events that have already occurred, particularly in the context of understanding the relationship between past actions and their outcomes in the field of criminology. This method typically involves examining historical data or incidents to assess how prior crimes or behaviors inform our understanding of crime trends, legal principles, or responses to criminal behavior.

This approach is critical because it allows researchers and practitioners to evaluate the consequences of certain laws or interventions after they have been implemented. For instance, an analysis might investigate how changes in legislation have impacted crime rates over a period or how certain police practices have affected community relations. By studying events that have already taken place, criminologists can draw insights that help inform future policies and practices.

The other options do not accurately reflect the ex post facto method. Predicting future criminal behavior focuses on forecasting rather than historical analysis. Conducting experiments with live subjects is more aligned with experimental research methods rather than ex post facto analysis. Analyzing current crime statistics emphasizes real-time data rather than retrospective study of past events.