PhD Candidate, Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge

Jacob Verrey is a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge, where he applies machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to challenges in public safety. He is a member of the Jerry Lee Centre of Experimental Criminology. Prior to his doctoral studies, Jacob graduated magna cum laude with highest honours from Harvard University and completed an MPhil in Criminological Research at the University of Cambridge. He also undertook a visiting studentship at the University of Oxford.

Jacob has served on a Steering Group for the UK Home Office and has lectured for the National Crime Agency, the Home Office, and the University of Cambridge. His work involves close collaboration with police departments across the UK and the USA, and he has taught courses on big data, data visualisation, and the application of AI in policing.

His primary research focuses on forecasting crime using machine learning—developing predictive models that outperform traditional methods such as professional judgement or unvalidated risk assessments. By grounding his work in both ethical considerations and statistical rigour, Jacob aims to support criminal justice decisions that are more accurate, equitable, and effective—leading to fewer low-risk individuals incarcerated, a reduction in serious crime, and the mitigation of historical biases present in criminal justice data.

In addition to his work on forecasting, Jacob also explores the use of large language models to analyse extensive police datasets, and applies computer vision techniques to detect violence in body-worn and CCTV footage.