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Criminal profiling

1. CRIMINAL PROFILING Name Danielle Sloan Subject Psychopathology Date 11/29/11


2. HOMICIDE STATISTICSIn 2008, the FBI recorded over 16,000 homicides in theUS that
year.There are an estimated 100 serial murderers who arebelieved to be active at any time.Each
year, approximately 40% of reported homicides arenot solved.There is a need for fast, effective
methods forprofiling possible offenders. Yonge & Jacquin (2010)
3. HISTORY OF PROFILINGPsychological profiling began informally in the late1940s.Most serial
crimes are sexually motivated.Authorities consulted mental health professions (MHPs).MHPs
typical profile was usually written in psychologicalterms which was unhelpful to investigators.Ex:
“Sex offender probably has low self-esteem, socialintroversion, and conflicts with members of the
oppositesex.” Schlesinger (2009)
4. THE MAD BOMBERMID 1950s, NEW YORK CITYSet bombs at various landmarkssuch as
Grand Central Station,Radio City Music Hall, as well astheatres and librariesPlanted at least 33
bombs, 22exploded, injuring 15 peoplePlanned offenses with a high degree of detail,
wentundetected for 16 years Schlesinger (2009)
5. THE MAD BOMBER (contd) A profile written by Brussel was published in the NewYork Times
on Christmas day, 1956. Excerpt: Look for a heavy man. Middle age. Foreignborn. Roman
Catholic. Single. Lives with a brother orsister. When you find him, changes are hell be wearing a
double-breasted suit. The police narrowed their investigation to George Metesky, a disgruntled
former Con Edison employee. Schlesinger (2009)
6. PROFILING BASICS(1) input: collecting crime scene information(2) decision process:
arranging the input into meaningful patterns and analyzing victim and offender risk(3) crime
assessment: reconstructing the crime and the offender motivation(4) criminal profile: developing
these specific descriptions of the offender(5) investigation: using the profile as an aid or adjunct
in investigation(6) apprehension: checking the accuracy and the description against new info that
emerges in the investigation and changing the profile accordingly. Schlesinger (2009)
7. PROFILING BASICS (contd)The profiler... ...assesses all of the crime scene and
forensicevidence influencing autopsy reports, crime scenephotos, and other forensic information.
...does not review the suspect list, which couldunwittingly influence his opinion. ...focuses on
several specific areas which areimportant in constructing a psychological profile of theunidentified
offender... Schlesinger (2009)

8. “Profiling equation”A ➔ C equation ● Inferences (indicated by the arrow) are derived from ●
Actions in an offense (crime location, time, nature of the victim, etc.) about the ● Characteristics
of the offender that will be useful to an investigation (Canter, 2011))
9. VICTIM RISK: the amount to risk (high, moderate, or low) a victimplaced him/herself in to
become a victim. ● High risk victims: they placed themselves in vulnerable situation, such as
prostitution ● Low risk victims: their occupation and lifestyle Schlesinger (2009)
10. VICTIM RISK (contd)Murdered five prostitutesWhitechapel, London circa 1888Victims throat
were cutAbdominal mutilationsRemoval of organs TruTV
11. VICTIM RISK (contd)“Jack the Ripper”Jack the Ripper was motivated, atleast in part, by a
tortured sexualpathology. Therefore, prostituteswere logical targets. They wereeasily accessible
victims ofopportunity who had the misfortune of crossing pathswith Jack the Ripper. TruTV
12. VICTIM RISK (contd)Dr. Bonds 1889 profile of “Jack the Ripper”Offenses were sexual in
natureRage against womenPhysically strong, cool, and daringQuiet and inoffensive in
appearance,Middle-aged Body of Mary KellyNeatly attired, probably wearing a cloakLoner,
without a real occupation, eccentric, andMentally unstableSuffered from satyriasis TruTV
13. VICTIM RISK (contd)“Jack the Ripper” Profile by Gregg McCrary, former FBIagent and
professor of forensic psychologyWhite male living alone in the Whitechapel area30 to 37 years of
ageSame socio-economic class as victimsWithdrawn loner with menial jobLikely went to same
pubs as victimsMay have encountered victims beforehand Q: In the case of JonBenet Ramsey,
did her in involvement in child beauty pageants elevate her victim risk? Other examples of high
risk victims? TruTV
14. OFFENDER RISK: the level of risk (high, moderate, or low) an offenderplaced himself in that
might lead to his apprehension. ● High risk offender: For example, abducting a victim a broad
daylight with many people around with a high likelihood of getting caught. ● Low risk victims: For
example, an abduction where the chanced of apprehension are minimal, such as at night with no
obvious witnesses. Schlesinger (2009)
15. OFFENDER RISK (contd)Murdered 10 peopleWichita, 1974-1991Known for his three-part
method of murderCommunity leaderTaunted police with lettersLow-risk offender: He would cut
the phone lines, andthen he would get into the house somehow, waiting forhis victim to come
home. TruTV
16. OFFENDER RISK (contd)“BTK Killer” profileBy Dr. Deborah Schurman-KauflinSingle, white
male 28-30Resided near Oteros or spent time there to form fantasy about JosephineLived in a
house, not apartmentOver 61, tall and trim. Neat in appearance with shorthair. Clothes darker by
choiceQuiet, modest, and conservativePsychopathHad a car, dark in colorComfortable with
people much younger than him. TruTV
17. ESCALATIONMost individuals who commit crimes begin with lessserious offenses and, over
the years, their level ofcriminality increases.Ex: An offender may begin with voyeurism, progress
toburglary, then assault, rape, and murder. Schlesinger (2009)
18. TIME & LOCATION FACTORSVarious time elements in criminal conduct are revealingof the
unidentified offenders lifestyle or occupation.How long the offender spent with the victim
providesadditional insight into the crime and the criminal. Thelonger an offender spends with the
victim, his risk ofapprehension increases.Factors: Where the offender apprehended the victim
How the offender got the victim to go with him Where the victim was killed Body disposition Was
a vehicle used Schlesinger (2009)
19. MODUS OPERANDI (M.O): the method or technique of carrying out of the crime. The
offenders M.O. can change over time.As an individual gains more experience, he often adapts
hiscriminal technique to increase his efficiency.Since the offenders M.O. can change it is often
not auseful method for linking (or connecting) a series of crimesto the same offender.Instead,
examination of the offenders engagement inrepetitive-ritualistic behavior at the crime sense is
oftenmore important in linking crimes to the same offender. Schlesinger (2009)
20. SIGNATURE: a unique set of acts an offender engages in with eachvictim.Many serial
offenders engage in repetitive-ritualisticbehavior at the crime scene since the offense itself
isinsufficient in providing enough psychosexual gratification.Thus, an offender have a signature
or calling card.Ex: Postmortem body positioning Mutilation Symbolic gestures Written statements
left behind Schlesinger (2009)
21. SIGNATURE (contd)Northern California – late 60s, early 70sClaimed 37 victims, but
investigatorsagreed on 7, two of whom surviveWent after couples at least three timesWrote letters
to local newspapers and had a specific signHe would taunt the authorities from a superior
perspective and to watch the police make fools of themselves TruTV
22. SIGNATURE (contd)“Zodiac killer” profileUnsolvedLow-risk offender: Attacks occurred at
dusk or after dark, on weekends, often around holidaysChanged M.O. – Different weapons and
no apparent motiveFour men and three women between the ages of 16 and 29 were targetedHis
letters included four cryptograms (or ciphers)Only one has been confirmed to have been
decodedHis signature was both clinical and literal. TruTV
23. CRIME SCENE PATTERNSThe crime scenes of violent sex offenders and sexualmurderers
can be divided into two general groups: ● Organized: Reflects a great deal if planning in which
little evidence is left behind ● Disorganized: Reflects an impulsive, unplanned crime with a lot of
evidence left.Individuals who leave high organized crime scenes seemto have distinctly different
personalitycharacteristics and behavioral patterns than those wholeave notably disorganized
crime scenes. Schlesinger (2009)
24. PERSONALITY INFERENCESORGANIZED CRIME: Organized crime scenes reflect a high
level of control.Restraints are used and the body is disposed of in athought-out manner, often
transported to another locationfrom where the murder took place.TRAITS OF AN ORGANIZED
OFFENDER: ● socially competent and intelligence ● lives with a partner ● follows the crime in
the media ● changes location after the offense ● psychopathic, narcissistic, or manipulative
personalities ● charming, neat in appearance, physically attractive ● can talk with members of
opposite sex Schlesinger (2009)
25. PERSONALITY INFERENCES (contd)DISORGANIZED CRIME: Disorganized crime scenes
reflect impulsivity and lackof planning. The victim is often known to the offender andbodies are
left in plain sight. A weapon of opportunity isused.TRAITS OF AN DISORGANIZED OFFENDER:
● poor work history ● lives alone and near the crime scene ● has little interest in media coverage
of case ● does not change lifestyle following case ● schizoid, schizotypal, borderline,
schizophrenic ● physically unattractive ● little experience with members of opposite sex
Schlesinger (2009)
26. PERSONALITY INFERENCES (contd) Schlesinger (2009)
27. PERSONALITY AS AN INTERVENINGVARIABLEORGANIZED CRIME: Offenders who
commit planned offenses typically havepersonality disorders that do not disorganize their
thinking.They are manipulative and deceptive by psychopathologicalsymptoms like hallucinations
and delusions.DISORGANIZED CRIME: Offenders who commit unplanned, impulsive offenses
have moreobvious psychopathological disturbances. Their disorganizedpersonalities can prohibit
thoughtful planning. They may lackthe control and defenses needed to contain their behavior.
Iftheir fantasies grow to the point of compulsion, they can actout in a thoughtless manner likely to
get them caught. Schlesinger (2009)
28. PERSONALITY AS AN INTERVENINGVARIABLE (contd)EXCEPTIONS TO THE GENERAL
NOTION THAT SEVERE PSYCHOPATHOLOGYLEADS TO UNPLANNED CRIMES: Paranoid
personality disorder and paranoid form ofschizophrenia do not disorganize ones thoughts.
Behavior ofindividuals with these types of disorders is organized,systematized, and thoughtful.
Also, individuals with intact personalities can actimpulsive when intoxicated.Note: Most crime
scenes are neither highly organized ordisorganized, but rather fall on a normal distribution
withhighly organized/disorganized as the extremes. Schlesinger (2009)
29. IS PROFILING USEFUL?Schlesinger (2009): Some researchers argue thatprofiling is not
scientific and relies too much onclinical experience instead of on empirical validation.Despite a
lack of strong empirical validation, somestudies have demonstrated its usefulness when done
bythose experienced in the process.
30. INDUCTIVE VS.DEDUCTIVE PROFILINGBoth assume that the crime and crime scene reveal
infoabout the offender. Profilers using the inductive approach examineresearch based on
identified offenders of a particulartype of crime. The profiler uses research on similartypes of
committed crime to determine possiblecharacteristics of the offender. Profilers using the
deductive approach incorporateeach piece of evidence in a case to create the offenderprofile.
They use education, experience, and logic toanalyze the crime scene and create a unique
offenderprofile for each crime. Yonge & Jacquin (2010)
31. INDUCTIVE VS. DEDUCTIVEPROFILING (contd)The FBIs crime scene analysis and
Cantersinvestigative psychology are inductive approaches, yetboth incorporate deductive
reasoning to a smallerdegree.Yonge and Jacquin (2010) studied the effectiveness ofthe two
primary approaches. It was hypothesized thattrained participants would produce more
accurateprofiles than those not trained. It was alsohypothesized that the FBI approach would
produce themost accurate profiles. Yonge & Jacquin (2010)
32. YONGE & JACQUIN (2010)METHOD:213 undergrad psychology studentsMean age: 19
years64.3% femaleNo prior profiling historyThree groups: control, inductive & deductiveHour-long
training session with multiple-choice quizParticipants were given a two-page summary of
doublesexual homicide and were asked to study the case andcomplete the Profiling Offender
CharacteristicsQuestionnaire. Yonge & Jaquin (2010)
33. YONGE & JACQUIN (2010)RESULTS:Participants trained in the inductive approach
producedprofiles that were more accurate than the profiles ofcontrols (p=.02). These participants
were also moreaccurate that those in the other two groups in profilingthe offenders physical
characteristics (inductive vs.deductive p=0.001, inductive versus control p=0.001,deductive
versus control p=0.48)Neither type of profiling training had greater profileaccuracy for the
offenders cognitive characteristics,offense behaviors, social history and habits, or
adultconvictions. Yonge & Jaquin (2010)
34. YONGE & JACQUIN (2010)CONCLUSION:The results suggest that the inductive approach
toprofiling may be useful for teaching naïve profilers toprofile the offender of a sexual
homicide.Deductive profiling relies on the application of logic.And when forming logical deductions
about the offender,profilers may have relied on stereotypes and faultybeliefs. This may be
overcome by experience and realtraining. It is possible that the deductive approachcannot be
taught in an hour-long session. Yonge & Jaquin (2010)
35. CHALLENGES TO PROFILINGRESEARCHProfiling equations – information from
controlledconditions are not what people actually do in theirdaily lives.Difficulty in obtaining
information about what actuallyhappens in crimes.Police databases are notoriously inaccurate,

Crime clock and statistic

Familiarization of Crime Clock/Mapping and Comprehensive Statistics


Crime clock is the most aggregate representation of unit crime rate data to convey
the annual reported crime experience by showing a relative frequency of transpiration
of crime incidents.
The use of statistics is important as a management tool for it provides information
that enables a unit commander to properly deploy its personnel and allocate the
precinct/station’s resources. The stored statistics is a measure to determine whether
police response and actions can be changed to adapt to the present situation
Crime statistics must be properly monitored by the concerned police precinct/
station to arrive proper accounting of crime incidents that will reflected/uploaded in
the Crime Incident Reporting System or e-Blotter.

Aerial Boundaries
Aerial boundaries are “landmarks”, usually classified under natural landmarks or
man-made landmarks; both are originally used to help navigation on finding direction
and/or determine area of jurisdiction.
Vital Installations
Vital installations are those immovable properties owned and controlled by the
government, including private properties, such as schools, churches, reservoirs,
towers, resorts, irrigations, malls, etc. It is imperative that the police unit/station should
be mandated to secure vital installations situated in the area of jurisdiction, from being
attacked/harassed/destroyed by the enemy.
Friendly Forces and Other Government Agencies
Friendly forces are those government agencies performing law enforcement
functions. A Police Officer must know the existence of friendly forces in the area,
and coordination must be regularly encourage, to establish smooth cooperation in
combating insurgency and criminal activities in the area

Andrews and Bonta identified the following criminogenic needs as important to reducing
offending: substance use, antisocial cognition, antisocial associates, family and marital relations,
employment, and leisure and recreational activities. This study examines dynamic criminogenic
need changes across a 12-month period and identifies which need changes are the best
predictors of criminal offending and illicit drug use among a sample of drug-involved probationers
who participated in an intervention (N = 251). Probationers had significant changes in several
need areas, and treatment participation moderated some changes. Probationers who had
reductions in criminally involved family members they associate with, improved work
performance, and decreased alcohol use had the greatest reductions in offending. Those who
increased time spent engaged in leisure and recreational activities were less likely to self-report
subsequent drug use. These findings suggest that certain dynamic need changes may be more
important than others, and designing interventions to impact these needs might improve
outcomes.

The risk–need–responsivity (RNR) model is based on the premise that tailoring treatment and
controls for offenders should be based on criminal justice risk and criminogenic need factors that
are related to offending behaviors. Assigning the appropriate dosage, type of controls, and
correctional programming will facilitate reductions in criminal offending. The underlying theory is
that offending is a product of the history of criminal justice involvement and specific criminogenic
needs. By attending to dynamic criminogenic needs through proper treatment and control
programming, one can affect offending behavior.

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Fundamentalsof Crime Mapping 1


1. Instructor name here
2. General class instructions here
3. ArcGIS ◦ ―GIS Tutorial‖ ESRI (www.esri.com) 180 day copy of ArcGIS Alternative:
―Getting to Know ArcGIS for Version 9‖
http://gis.esri.com/esripress/display/index.cfm?fuseactio n=display&websiteID=144&moduleID=0
◦ Get 60 day Evaluation copy from ESRI Website (order early) ◦
http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcview/eval/ev aluate.html ◦ Get 1 year Student license from
ESRI for $100.00 ◦ http://www.esri.com/industries/university/education/ sitelic.html#individual
4. CrimeStat III ◦ http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/CRIMESTAT/ ◦ Manual is also very good reference
manual for spatial statistics
5. The more you desire to learn, the more you learn Practice, practice, practice Develop a
thick skin ◦ Your first maps are going to be awful, listen to constructive criticism and don‘t take
it too personally Don‘t give away this new skill ◦ Practice and keep up to date with it ◦ Will reward
you in many professions as an additional skill that is marketable
6. Victims Suspects Environment Time ◦ Who, What, When, Where, Why and How?
7. The study of crime and criminal behavior ◦ No generally accepted single theory that explains
the existence of crime in a society ◦ Consensus perspectives Approach crime as a normal and
healthy part of any society ◦ Conflict perspectives Argue that crime is the result of group conflict
and unequal distributions of power
8. Macro ◦ Make assumptions about societal-level variables, including the structure of
government and the economy and how these variables impact crime rates within a society Micro
◦ Make assumptions about individual characteristics (IQ, mental state, temperament, biological
characteristics, and personal finances, for example) and how they influence a person‘s decision
to commit a crime
9. Environment/Place Victim Suspect Time
10. Economic composition of a community contributes to crime by affecting neighborhood order
Higher juvenile delinquency rates tended to cluster in certain neighborhoods within urban areas
Poverty and residential instability, ◦ Impacted both the physical appearance and the social
structure of the neighborhood itself High population density High population mobility Higher
numbers of suitable targets Motivated offenders coexisted with little or no guardianship
Produces higher rates of crime Higher rates of crime regardless of who lived there The area,
not the people, is criminogenic
11. Three very basic premises ◦ Environmental Criminology Environment can affect crime
Target rich environments ◦ Routine Activity Theory We all have routines, in our down time, we
commit crime Mental maps and nodes, paths, awareness space ◦ Rational Choice Theory
Suspects plan to some degree their crimes If we understand the reason for the choices, we can
understand and forecast where the offender goes next Crime Pattern Theory is a combination of
all of these
12. Two Good Web References ◦ http://www.geo.hunter.cuny.edu/capse/projects/nij/crime_
bib1.html ◦ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_mapping
13. Certain locations can be crime attractors (Crime pattern theory) ◦ Bank ATM ◦ Sports
Venues (Coyotes Stadium, etc) More potential victims Security ◦ Design of building or path
through makes cover and concealment available to suspect and disadvantage to victim Ease of
escape ◦ Ability to commit crime and leave the scene without detection ◦ Darkness ◦ Closeness
of a freeway, etc.
14. Motivated offender Suitable target Absence of a capable guardian
15. Mental Maps ◦ If you had to draw your world right now, what would it look like? ◦ Where do
you live, work, play? (nodes) ◦ How do you get back and forth between these places? (Paths) ◦
The areas between nodes and paths that are known to you because of your routine activities, are
your ―awareness spaces‖ ◦ I drive to work everyday and see construction and say, ―Wow, it
sure is growing out this way‖ The person with a criminal intent says, ―Wow, look at all the
construction equipment that isn‘t locked up around here!‖ ◦ Can be a great interview technique,
because all maps are ―true!‖
16. Routine Activities Theory Analysis Triangle Family, Home Owners, Probation Officer Teachers
Police, Private Security
17. Nodes Paths Awareness Space Escape Routes Geography of Victimology • What
does this offender‘s nodes maybe tell you about him/her?
18. Theory should power all mapping and analysis projects ◦ Think about Suspect‘s search
patterns Least effort Mixed scanning Find an area then find a target Bank ATM, Sports
Arena, Big Event, Mall Awareness spaces Knowledge Comfort Routines and rhythms
Obligatory time (work etc.) Discretionary time (Crimes occur now)
19. Commuter Focus on Crime Or Hunter Marauder or Theory: Poacher . . . Marauder Vs. . . . . .
Commuter .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20. We are all human beings and each of us uses some thought process to make decisions
Criminals and ―normal‖ people are fundamentally the same We make decisions on where to
commit our crime through: What is the benefit I receive? ◦ Is it relatively safe? ◦ Can I escape
easily? ◦ Number of potential witnesses to my crime? ◦ Identification of myself by police and
others
21. Hypothesis testing should be an everyday part of crime analysis
22. Crime analysis ◦ Focus on events Administrative Operational or Police Operations
Analysis Strategic Tactical Criminal intelligence analysis ◦ Focus on people ◦ Organized
criminal activity and seeks to link people, events, and property Investigative analysis ◦ Focus
on investigation of specific crimes ◦ Victim characteristics and elements of crime scenes are
studied to discover patterns that link related crimes together ◦ Investigative support
23. ―is the systematic study of crime and disorder problems as well as other police-related
issues— including sociodemographic, spatial, and temporal factors—to assist the police in
criminal apprehension, crime and disorder reduction, crime prevention, and evaluation‖ (Boba,
2005, p. 6) ―focused on the study of criminal incidents; the identification of patterns, trends,
and problems; and the dissemination of information that helps a police agency develop tactics
and strategies to solve patterns, trends, and problems‖ (Bruce, 2004, p. 15)
24. Provide information that is fast, reliable and accurate (data quality) Improve administrative
reports where needed Improve strategic analysis efforts for better decision making Begin
proactive analysis of several crime types that can be impacted by crime analysis efforts
25. Involves the presentation of key findings of crime research and analysis to audiences within
law enforcement, local government, and citizenry based on legal, political, and practical concerns
including: ◦ A report on demographic changes in the jurisdiction ◦ Miscellaneous crime statistics
to support grant applications ◦ Preparation of Uniform Crime Report (UCR) or Incident-Based
Reporting System ◦ Hotspot, pin, or reference maps for the jurisdiction
26. Assist in general reporting Improve UCR coding processes by reviewing coded reports
for accuracy Suggest improvements to the management system when needed Produce reports
and data in a timely manner Provide general hot spot and crime distribution maps and reports
on an ad- hoc basis Do staffing studies
27. Administrative (bean counting) Reference maps ◦ Hot spot or hot area maps ◦ Graduated
symbol maps ◦ Pin maps ◦ Larger geography area Longer time periods Less specific focus
Multi-layer geoprocessing (thematic mapping) Using several layers of data to make one final
map ◦ Redistricting is an example ◦
28. Involves the study of crime and other law enforcement issues to identify long-standing
patterns of crime and other problems and to assess police responses to these problems (Boba,
2005) Typically, this analysis involves collecting a great deal of information about criminal
events. In addition, ―helping agencies to identify root causes of crime problems and develop
creative problem-solving strategies to reduce crime‖ is a key goal in strategic crime analysis
(IACA)
29. Create hot spot maps by various geographic areas and boundaries ◦ Do time comparison
studies Create reports that are easily read and explain general date, time, and day of week
distributions of crime in specific geographic areas identified in the administrative process Find
―thresholds‖ of activity in specific geographic areas to provide weekly or monthly strategic
battle plans to all units of the department Create new reports and processes needed to support
this function throughout the department Database support
30. Strategic Hotspot maps ◦ Graduated symbol maps ◦ Pin maps (limited) ◦ Multi-layer,
thematic, geoprocessing ◦ Recurring or significant problem you are trying to find or isolate
Smaller geographic area Shorter time period More specific focus Problem-solving or
intelligence-led policing workhorse
31. Examines recent criminal events and potential criminal activity by analyzing how, when,
and where the events occur to establish patterns and series, identify leads or suspects, and to
clear cases (Boba, 2005)
32. Find trends, clusters, patterns, sprees and series of criminal activity through proactive
review of reports. ◦ Identify the next day of week, time of day, and likely date of a new crime by
the same offender (s) (Statistical Analysis) ◦ Provide additional investigative data from police files
and resources on similar crimes or M.O. (Database Searches) ◦ Identify the likely location of a
new crime in a series or trend (like, ellipses, rectangles, probability grid analysis) ◦ Identify the
likely home address location or anchor point for an offender and provide person information to
investigative units for consideration (journey to crime) ◦ Repeat as needed
33. Tactical Hot spot maps ◦ Graduated point maps ◦ Pin Maps ◦ Thematic mapping ◦ Waiting
for the next incident to happen Predictions for new hit Journey to crime analysis Very
specific focus ◦ Short time spans analyzed ◦ Very limited to some range of geography ◦
34. More data is available to you ◦ Become ―intimate‖ with the data Data problems can be
identified and corrected Excellent tool for goal planning and completion and applying the
SARA model to problems: ◦ Collect, collate, analyze, disseminate, and EVALUATE vs. S.A.R.A.
35. Geographic Information Systems have developed over the past 30 years First crime map
in early 1900‘s in New York ◦ First computerized crime map in 1960‘s ◦ Canada led the way
More common use in late 1980‘s, early 90‘s ◦ GIS use has increased dramatically in the past 5-
10 years, however may still be underused in some police departments 2002 ACJC study, only
15% of AZ agencies using it ACJC Crime Mapping in Arizona 2002.pdf
36. The ―SYSTEM‖ part of GIS could be used to describe all of the diverse assortment of data
that a normal police department collects during day to day operations Geographic data (incident
locations, home addresses, etc) ◦ Data that can be tied to the geographic data (person‘s ◦ DOB,
Vehicle make, property, M.O., etc.) A GIS can assist police with optimizing limited resources ◦
directing enforcement activities to needed areas ◦ streamlining and improving business processes
◦ identifying critical information problems within datasets ◦ collected and maintained. Quality
control ◦ With this increase in the amount of data available to decision makers, we have to be
able to make sense of all of this data.
37. In the business community this is often described as ―business intelligence‖ or the process
of taking the bits and pieces of data we collect everyday, Ordering it and organizing it so that it
makes sense and provides information, to assist other analysts, administrators, detectives, and
patrol officers To develop knowledge to prevent crimes, catch criminals, or enhance public
safety.
38. My audience determines what type of map I produce and that you will have many different
people and purposes within the audiences you will address as a crime analyst
39. Has increased (or can increase) efficiency in the data collection processes Easy to do, so
more data is used ◦ When you are mapping data, you often find the ―big‖ ◦ accuracy or reliability
problems with your data collection systems and can make recommendations to improve them
Quality assurance measures can be identified ◦ Promotes by it‘s sheer nature – DATA SHARING
GIS the common language ◦
40. Saves time for your agency when used correctly Saves money by understanding the
processes or the work flow of the data you will use
41. You will learn more information about crime in your jurisdiction faster and become the
resident ―expert‖ in data, software, and often hardware
42. You will develop new partnerships with people Your own city (IT ◦ staff, Engineering,
Utilities, Planning, etc.) In our county (IT Staff, GIS ◦ section, Elections, Association of
Governments, etc.) Between other law enforcement agencies ◦ Data sharing projects and
cooperative grant processes In your state and with the federal government ◦ Homeland security
Grants Geospatial One-stop web sites
43. With GIS, we deal with several different types of data. In the ArcMap application we deal
mostly with 4 basic data formats: ◦ Vector Points Lines (sometimes called Arcs) Polygons
◦ Raster Image
44. Points ◦ incidents or events Radio calls Crimes ◦ physical features Police stations
Schools Evidence found
45. Lines (sometimes called Arcs) Streets ◦ Knows start and end ◦ Can be used for routing ◦
Distances between things (length) ◦ Knows what‘s on the right or left ◦ Boundary lines ◦
46. Polygons Are bounded by limits of box ◦ Knows what is within and what borders itself ◦
Aggregation container ◦ Knows it‘s AREA ◦
47. Raster vs. Vector data ◦ Points, lines and polygons are Vector data with aggregation or not
Discrete data (a line stitched on to a blanket) ◦ Raster data is like a weather map Satellite
photos, radar, aerial images Continuous data (the entire blanket)
48. ―A computerized mapping system that allows a police department to analyze geographic
and related data collected during the course of police activities, to provide insight into better crime
fighting strategies, community based policing program evaluation, administrative, strategic, and
tactical planning and intervention activities, predicting suspect behavior and patterns in active
investigations, and to utilize the data more effectively through graphic display of data in a easy to
understand ―map‖ format, as well as develop strategies to guarantee accurate data collection to
achieve sound analysis products for decision making processes, across all units within a police
department.‖
49. IACA Vendor List ◦ http://www.iaca.net/Software.asp Crime Mapping (NIJ Maps) ◦
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/maps/software.html IACA (International Association of Crime
Analysts) ◦ www.IACA.net AACA (Arizona Association of Crime Analysts) ◦
http://www.aacaonline.org/ And many many more listed in the textbook
50. The method used to transfer locations on the Earth‘s surface to a flat map is called
projection.
51. There are hundreds of mathematical calculations to make the data at some point on the
earth‘s surface the ―most‖ accurate. The earth is not perfectly round (spheroid) ◦ Hills and
valleys, etc All map projections distort the surface in some fashion Area ◦ Shape ◦ Direction ◦
Bearing ◦ Distance ◦ Scale ◦
52. Common Projection for USA is Universal Transverse Mercator ◦ Latitude and Longitude
lines ◦ State plane coordinate system derived from this projection for better accuracy Nad 1983,
Fips 0202 Az Central – Maricopa and other counties Most states have 3 zones (FIPS zones)
International feet Measurement units
53. Important to know projection to share data Important to measure correctly ArcGIS
Shapefile creates a .PRJ file which stores the projection information so it can be used with other
data I sharing data: ◦ Provide complete projection State Plane Coordinate System, Nad 1983,
Fips 0202, Az Central, Intl Feet (or meters, feet, etc)
54. ArcGIS –ArcView ArcMap Level Menu Bar or Menu Items Map Display Map Workspace Start-
up Dialog Table of Contents ToolBox Toolbars and Menus
55. GIS Software with 3 levels ◦ ArcInfo ◦ Arc Editor ◦ ArcMap (what we have) Made by ESRI
◦ www.esri.com Initial steep learning curve Can do just about anything and only limited by
your imagination
56. Menu Bar (Activate by clicking and choosing item) Table of Contents Map Display TOC Tabs
(Display, Data Source, and Selected records views)
57. Checked, or Turned On or Visible in Map Display Highlighted or ―Selected‖ Map Display
Display tab – shows you what Table of Contents layers are available in the data frame and can
be viewed on the map display area
58. File Directory Path Map Display Table of Contents Source – gives you the file location for the
data in the project
59. Selectable and records selected Not Selectable Map Display Selection – let‘s you choose
which Table of Contents themes can have records selected, and which themes have records
selected in them -bolded and number of records in ―()‖
60. Data Layout Standard Frame toolbar toolbar Themes or layers Map Display View Table of
Contents Tools
61. Right Click on Data frame to get data frame properties menu Map Display Table of Contents
62. Right click on theme name to get Layer Properties menu Map Display Table of Contents
63. Symbology Tab Allows us to make changes to how the data is displayed and classified Map
Display
64. Definition query tab allows us to choose what data we see
65. Label tab let‘s us label just about anything on the map automatically and we have more
choices and options than we can shake a stick at
66. Standard tools active – Layout tools not active Map display View Layout tools active –
Standard tools also active layout View You need to make sure you keep the layout tools and the
standard tools separate in your mind as they work on the data differently
67. Add Data Arc Toolbox Table of Contents Map Display
68. Allows us to add data from a variety of sources: •GIS Layers •Tables •Images •ODBC and
OLE DB Connections to databases
69. Table of Contents Map Display Arc Toolbox
70. Arc Catalog Button Table of Contents Map Display
71. New program opens – File Information, data Structure and metadata Library of sorts You can
manage your data, search and find data, view data, and add metadata (data about data) in Arc
Catalog. You can also create new data and drag and drop data into ArcGIS from Arc Catalog
72. Be sure to use complete SQL structure: ◦ [FieldName] = ‗Something‘ ◦ Field, operator, and
Value
73. Useful for finding data that meet your geographic boundaries or contain some element you
need
74. Use the exercises in class and practice, practice, practice!
75. You WILL find the light at the end of the tunnel
76. Crime Types Trend – A crime trend is the occurrence of similar offenses in a geographic
area that have increased or decreased within a given time period and this can be measured.
Pattern – A crime pattern is the occurrence of similar offenses in a geographic area that may
or may not be committed by the same suspect or suspects. Cluster – A crime cluster is the
occurrence of similar offenses within close proximity to each other potentially leading to
identification of a crime series or not. Series – A crime series is the occurrence of offenses
showing evidence that the same suspect or suspects has committed the crimes. This is verified
through similar MO’s or suspect descriptions. Spree – A crime spree is a set of crimes committed
sequentially by the same suspect or suspects over a short period time.
77. General Terms Hot Spot – An area that has been identified to have more crime than
another area or has a higher “density” of crimes. Density – Density is a term applied to geographic
elements and their relationship to each other. A location or group of crimes is considered more
dense as their numbers increase and the proximity to another location or crime is reduced.
Threshold Analysis – A product used as an early warning system for crimes in a specific
geographic area to determine if the total numbers are higher or lower than the a previous, equal,
time period. Spatial Analysis (Geoprocessing) – The science of using geographic elements and
their relationship to other geographic elements to analyze crime and crime associations. GIS –
Geographic Information Systems. Also known as computer mapping.
78. General Terms Frequency Distribution – A listing of numbers or scores in ascending or
descending order. Mean – The mathematical average of a set of numbers. Median – The middle
score in a distribution. Mode – The most frequent score in a distribution. Standard Deviation
– This is the average of the differences between scores in a frequency distribution yielding to a
normal distribution (bell-shaped curve). Central Tendency – A term used to describe the proximity
of a score in a distribution to the mean of the same distribution.

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