Journal of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (original) (raw)

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.

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.

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.

A FREE AND OPEN SOURCE GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM APPROACH TO MAPPING CRIMES

Innovations in policing, like problem-oriented policing and hot spots policing, demand quantitative techniques to identify crime patterns across space. However, current crime mapping practice is monopolized by the use of proprietary GIS. This situation is unfortunate for police departments, especially in developing countries, that are ill-funded. This paper introduces free alternatives to proprietary computerized crime mapping GIS tools and information. By reviewing extant literature, mature free and open source desktop GIS tools and volunteered geographic information, which could be used in performing crime mapping routines, are identified. The viability of these programs for crime mapping purposes was then demonstrated through the analysis of property crimes (i.e. carnapping, robbery, and theft incidents) in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines (2010-2012). Considering the limited resources for crime prevention, the availability of free-of-cost resources for crime mapping provides police departments the opportunity to do more with less.

GIS for Crime Analysis: Geography for Predictive Models

Electronic Journal of Information Systems Evaluation, 2012

The term crime analysis refers to a concept and to a discipline practiced in the policing community. It includes analysis of more than just a crime, which is why some authors refer to it as public safety analysis. However, over the last few years crime analysis has become a general term that includes a lot of research subcategories: intelligence analysis, criminal investigative analysis, tactical crime analysis, strategic crime analysis, operation analysis and administrative crime analysis. Crime mapping and spatial analysis complements all of them and plays a crucial role in defining new forms of representation and visualization to better understand crime and to respond adequately to the problem of criminality. A new worldwide socio-economical order lead to an increasing number on crime rates and raised the need to find new ways to handle information about criminality. To better understand its causes, local, regional and national security authorities turned to new decision support ...

Geographic Crime Information Reporting System Crime Mapping and Analysis

2013

The primary goal of this study is to successfully develop a Geographic Crime Information Reporting System at a station in Mandaue City, an electronic blotter that uses Geographical Information System (GIS) in recording crime information. The "Geographic Crime Information Reporting System" contains a Geo Spatial Crime Visualization module that loads and displays the maps from shape files. The Crime Management Module to assign coordinates in the map given by the user to be stored in a Database. The Geographic Crime Information Analyzer analyzes the data and creates a report which is a list of possible suspects. The system is then evaluated by randomly selected Philippine National Police Officers (PNP Officer) and Philippine National Police Information Technology personnel (PNP IT Personnel) of Mandaue City. The Results show that 75% of the respondents are familiar with the Electronic-blotter (E-Blotter), with only 26.7% of them who are currently using it. 85% are familiar wi...

THE HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF CRIME MAPPING AND FORECASTING

The concept of crime is deeply ingrained in human society, posing a perpetual challenge that affects nations worldwide. Criminologists, inspired by the pioneering work of Cesare Beccaria in 1764, have developed various theories to understand crime and explore comprehensive definitions of the term. Over time, criminological thought has evolved, with crime prevention emerging as a fundamental aspect of criminal justice systems in many Western nations. Crime mapping and forecasting techniques find their origins in early 19th-century police record-keeping practices in Europe and North America. However, the modern application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the analysis of crime patterns, pioneered by criminologists in the 1970s, has transformed crime mapping and forecasting into indispensable tools used by law enforcement agencies, researchers, and policymakers to comprehend and prevent crime. This study explores the history and evolution of crime mapping techniques as we know them today.