Geographic Profiling and Spatial Analysis of Serial Homicides (original) (raw)
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Geography of Crime and Geographic Information Systems
Journal of Forensic Sciences & Criminal Investigation, 2017
Short historical overview of criminological theories with a spatial component Majority of criminological theories are based on researching the offender, the victim or the situation in which a criminal act has been committed and these theories have been developed under the influence of psychological and sociological trends Abstract A link between human geography and criminology has been established as a result of the development of strong parallel that has existed in science for decades, similar to how criminology was predominantly put in the focus of sociology due to the series of paradigm shifts. Cognitive mapping, environmental perception and values and meanings attributed to "place", "space" and "environment" have constructed a framework for interaction between criminology and human geography and for development of geography of crime. Spatial data analysis through geographic information systems is becoming more popular in crime mapping and crime analysis in contemporary police organizations and their usage is limitless. Geographic information system as an analytical instrument is also used for pattern analysis or for analysis of spatial crime distribution model and for researching spatial relations between crime and other demographic and socioeconomic factors by using visual representation of spatial data. Along with usual implementation of traditional methods, geographic information systems contribute in directing crime investigations to a certain area of probable locations of residence, other activities and the offender's itinerary. Due to its significant impact on the quality of police work, as well as policy and decision making on operational, tactical and strategic levels, modern police organizations use GIS in their daily work in order to prevent and reduce crime rates.
The use of geographic information systems (GIS) for state and local crime analysis
Until quite recently, the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the purpose of mapping crimes in the United States was limited to a small group of geographers with an esoteric knowledge of the mechanics of map digitizing and mainframe computer technology. In recent years, however, the marked reduction in the price of personal computer hardware, along with the availability of comparatively more user-friendly desktop mapping programs, has resulted in numerous efforts in law enforcement agencies across the country. The academic community in the U.S. has also made significant strides in the spatial analysis of crime. This paper will trace the growth of spatial and temporal crime analysis and summarize the current state of the field in the United States. It concludes with an overview of future efforts.
Geographic Information Science and Crime Analysis
2020
This paper reviews modern crime analysis with regard to the research and educational challenges outlined by the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science. In the context of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), attention is devoted to the role that crime analysis currently and potentially plays in reducing crime and improving the efficiency of police activity. It is our aim to stimulate interest in advancing crime analysis in the areas of crime mapping and visualization. It is hoped that an outcome of this effort will be the attention that granting agencies may give to this rich and productive mixture of state-of-the-art technology and social responsibility.
Crime Mapping and Geographical Information Systems in Crime Analysis
Crime Mapping and Geographical Information Systems in Crime Analysis, 2016
As essential apparatus in crime analysis, crime mapping and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are being progressively more accepted by police agencies. Development in technology and the accessibility of geographic data sources make it feasible for police departments to use GIS and crime mapping. GIS and crime mapping can be utilized as devices to discover reasons contributing to crime, and hence let law enforcement agencies proactively take action against the crime problems before they become challenging. The purpose of this study is to conduct a literature review of Geographical Information System and Crime Mapping in Crime Analysis and to propose policy recommendations regarding to implementation of crime mapping and GIS. To achieve this purpose, first a historical evaluation of GIS and crime mapping will be rendered and then the importance of place will be explained in terms of assessing crime problems accurately.
Using GIS to Analyze Twenty-Two Years of Homicides from 1990 to 2012 in the State of Minnesota
IAU International Journal of Social Sciences, 2019
Crime against all classes of individuals is a serious social problem. In the United States, the percentage of total hate crimes committed against victims increased to 18.8 percent in 2009, the highest percentage in ten years. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, some men and women have frequently been the second most common victim of hate crime over the past decade. The purpose of this research was to provide an overview of statistical and spatial analyses of twenty-two years of homicides from 1990 to 2012 in the state of Minnesota. According to the research, approximately 90.4 percent of homicides happened between 1990 and 2001 and 9.6 percent happened between the years 2001 and 2012. The most important goal was to compare patterns of homicides through five key elements (ID of victims (groups), Race of victims, Sex of victims, Weapon used, and Cause of Death) within a geographic information system (GIS). The records of homicides in the state of Minnesota demonstrated how geographic analysis conducted within a GIS can assist in the investigation of homicide and how GIS can provide useful tools and techniques to visualize and analyze spatial data.
More than an offender location tool: Geographic profiling and body deposition
2021
In homicide cases, it is difficult to provide resolution for the bereaved or to obtain a successful criminal conviction of the guilty party when no body is found. Since the mid-nineteenth century, geographic and environmental patterns have been used to better understand the relationship between crime and its environment. Now known as geographic profiling, practitioners in this field amalgamate criminological, psychological, and geographical knowledge, as well as aspects of mathematics, statistics, and physics to identify spatial patterns associated with criminal behaviour as a means of locating anchor points of an offender (where they live, or work). The same techniques can also be used to locate the covert body deposition sites of their victims. This paper aims to (1) provide a brief summary of criminal behaviour and the environment and how understanding their relationship can be helpful to geographic profiling, (2) amalgamate the available literature on the application of geograph...
Security Journal, 2001
Following a series of armed robberies in Phoenix, Arizona, crime analysts assisted robbery investigators by providing predictions of where future crimes would occur and by determining where the offenders were likely to live. These assessments were based upon modelling offender behaviour within a geographical information system. The methodology was able to identify a prioritised number of futur e targets and a location for the offenders in relatively restricted geographical areas to support the ongoing investigation. While the robberies remain unsolved, geographical analysis proved to be useful both operationally for investigators and in obtaining support for the use of crime analysis in subsequent investigations. Practical pr oblems such as lack of r esources, poor communication with other jurisdictions and data access limitations have also begun to be addressed. It is concluded that further research on offender geographical behaviour is required in order to develop comprehensive tools for routine use by analysts and investigators.
More than an Offender Location Tool: Geographic Profiling and Body Deposition Sites
Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 2021
In homicide cases, it is difficult to provide resolution for the bereaved or to obtain a successful criminal conviction of the guilty party when no body is found. Since the mid-nineteenth century, geographic and environmental patterns have been used to better understand the relationship between crime and its environment. Now known as geographic profiling, practitioners in this field amalgamate criminological, psychological, and geographical knowledge, as well as aspects of mathematics, statistics, and physics to identify spatial patterns associated with criminal behaviour as a means of locating anchor points of an offender (where they live, or work). The same techniques can also be used to locate the covert body deposition sites of their victims. This paper aims to (1) provide a brief summary of criminal behaviour and the environment and how understanding their relationship can be helpful to geographic profiling, (2) amalgamate the available literature on the application of geographic profiling in locating clandestine graves (as most documented uses are to locate offender residences), and (3) include a geographic profile of Ivan Milat, an Australian serial killer (officially) active from 1989 to 1992, demonstrating how geographic profiling techniques can help to identify additional victims and potential body deposition sites. The information in this review will be helpful to law enforcement and practitioners to improve missing persons investigations and searches for clandestine graves.
Spatial Analysis of Crime Report Datasets
2008
Given a spatial crime report dataset, spatial analysis aims at identifying and quantifying spatial relationships and distributions of crime patterns. This article provides an overview of spatial analysis of crime report datasets. It presents examples of spatial crime patterns and describes the features of current analytical tools that are available for use by the law enforcement community. We illustrate the utility of these spatial crime patterns and analytical tools using an example case study in an Indian setting.