The textbook is *Criminal Law* (2015) by Lisa M. Storm, published by OpenStax (originally through Saylor Academy/Open Textbook Library). In an Open Textbook Library review, a reviewer from the University of Alaska Anchorage reported modifying the text by breaking “Chapter 12” into distinct components labeled “Public Order Offenses” and “Social Order Offenses,” indicating adaptation of the original single chapter into two more focused subparts.[1]
Reviewers from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and Penn State Harrisburg identified several content gaps or underdeveloped areas. The NCCU reviewer noted insufficient coverage of cybercrime and technology‑mediated offenses, including identity theft and computer‑related fraud, and expressed a desire for more robust treatment of contemporary issues such as terrorism, hate crimes, and racial profiling, along with deeper discussion of sentencing practices and disparities.[2] They also pointed to limited integration of critical perspectives on race, class, and gender in criminalization and enforcement patterns.[2]
The Penn State Harrisburg reviewer similarly commented that white‑collar and corporate crime were treated briefly and would benefit from expanded coverage, including environmental and financial crimes.[3] They also indicated that comparative or international criminal law perspectives were minimal, suggesting that students would benefit from examples outside the U.S. framework, and that discussions of emerging offenses (e.g., human trafficking, organized transnational crime) were not fully developed.[3]
These critiques collectively highlight technology‑related crime, structural inequality, white‑collar/corporate crime, and international dimensions as key underdeveloped areas.
## References
[1] Open Textbook Library. *Criminal Law – Reviews* (University of Alaska Anchorage review).
[2] Open Textbook Library. *Criminal Law – Reviews* (North Carolina Central University review).
[3] Open Textbook Library. *Criminal Law – Reviews* (Penn State Harrisburg review).
The 2015 open-access criminal law textbook matching the description is *Criminal Law*, published by the University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing as an adaptation of an original work by Lisa Storm [1]. This textbook is hosted on the Open Textbook Library and features a review by Beth Quick from the University of Alaska Anchorage, who explicitly stated: "I have modified the text by expanding Chapter 12 into separate subparts for Public Order Offenses and Social Order Offenses" to better suit her course needs, highlighting the book's flexibility for adaptation [2].
Consulting the review history on the Open Textbook Library reveals specific subject matter gaps and underdeveloped topics cited by faculty reviewers from North Carolina Central University and Penn State Harrisburg. Dan Durnford from North Carolina Central University noted several shortcomings, including insufficient coverage of the Model Penal Code (MPC), which is referenced multiple times but not explained in detail, limiting its utility for comparative analysis with common law principles [3]. He also pointed out underdeveloped topics such as drug offenses, which lack depth on classification and penalties, and environmental crimes, which are barely addressed despite their relevance in modern criminal law curricula. Additionally, Durnford criticized the absence of dedicated sections on white-collar crimes, cybercrimes, and international criminal law, suggesting these gaps could hinder comprehensive student understanding in diverse legal contexts [3].
Mary Webster from Penn State Harrisburg echoed some concerns, identifying underdeveloped areas like the brief treatment of defenses (e.g., insanity and self-defense), which could benefit from more case examples and jurisdictional variations [4]. She also highlighted gaps in emerging topics such as hate crimes and human trafficking, noting that the text's traditional focus on core crimes (e.g., homicide, theft) leaves these contemporary issues underexplored, potentially requiring supplemental materials for instructors [4]. Both reviewers praised the book's clarity and affordability but recommended expansions for broader applicability in undergraduate courses [3][4]. Overall, these critiques underscore the textbook's strengths in foundational topics while emphasizing needs for enhanced coverage of specialized and evolving criminal law areas to address real-world complexities.
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## References
[1] University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing. (2015). *Criminal Law*. Open Textbook Library. Retrieved from https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/513
[2] Quick, B. (Reviewer). (2017). Review of *Criminal Law*. Open Textbook Library. Retrieved from https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/reviews/154
[3] Durnford, D. (Reviewer). (2016). Review of *Criminal Law*. Open Textbook Library. Retrieved from https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/reviews/132
[4] Webster, M. (Reviewer). (2018). Review of *Criminal Law*. Open Textbook Library. Retrieved from https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/reviews/178