Crime Mapping and Crime Prevention


Book Description

Technological advances in computer mapping and information systems as well as theoretical innovation in crime prevention have combined to bring crime mapping to the centre for crime prevention practice and policy. The contributors in this book from criminologists, geographers and crime analysts, demonstrate the important role that crime maps have begun to play in crime prevention theory and applications. They show how crime mapping can be used in crime prevention programmes and point to its future applications.




Mapping and Analysing Crime Data


Book Description

One of the key methods of reducing and dealing with criminal activity is to accurately gauge and then analyse the geographical distribution of crime (from small scale to large scale areas). Once the police and government know what areas suffer most from criminal activity they can assess why this is the case and then deal with it in the most effective way. Crime mapping and the spatial analysis of crime data have become recognised as powerful tools for the study and control of crime. Much of the emerging demand for more information and detailed crime pattern analysis have been driven by legislative changes, such as the UK's new Crime and Disorder Act which has placed a joint statutory duty on Police Forces and Local Authorities to produce crime and disorder audits for their areas. The book sets out methods used in the fields of Geographical Information Systems and highlights areas of best practice, examines the types of problems to which spatial crime analysis can be applied, reviews the capabilities and limitations of existing techniques, and explores the future directions of spatial crime analysis and the need for training. It centres on a series of case studies highlighting the experiences of academics and practitioners in agencies centrally involved in the partnership approach to crime prevention. Practitioners and academics not only in the UK but also worldwide should be interested in the book as an up-to-date information resource and a practical guide.




Mapping Crime in Its Community Setting


Book Description

Gathering accurate data probably constitutes one of the most important aspects of crime investigation and prevention. How do we put the data to use? How can we improve our methods of handling the information we collect? By describing a project for the development and implementation of a computerized crime-mapping system in the Chicago area, this book makes a significant contribution toward a more efficient and intelligent use of crime data to understand and prevent crime in a community setting.




Crime Analysis with Crime Mapping


Book Description

Crime Analysis With Crime Mapping, Fourth Edition provides students and practitioners with a solid foundation for understanding the conceptual nature and practice of crime analysis to assist police in preventing and reducing crime and disorder. Author Rachel Boba Santos offers an in-depth description of this emerging field, as well as guidelines and techniques for conducting crime analysis supported by evidence-based research, real world application, and recent innovations in the field. As the only introductory core text for crime analysis, this must-have resource presents readers with opportunities to apply theory, research methods, and statistics to careers that support and enhance the effectiveness of modern policing.




GIS and Crime Mapping


Book Description

The growing potential of GIS for supporting policing and crime reduction is now being recognised by a broader community. GIS can be employed at different levels to support operational policing, tactical crime mapping, detection, and wider-ranging strategic analyses. With the use of GIS for crime mapping increasing, this book provides a definitive reference. GIS and Crime Mapping provides essential information and reference material to support readers in developing and implementing crime mapping. Relevant case studies help demonstrate the key principles, concepts and applications of crime mapping. This book combines the topics of theoretical principles, GIS, analytical techniques, data processing solutions, information sharing, problem-solving approaches, map design, and organisational structures for using crime mapping for policing and crime reduction. Delivered in an accessible style, topics are covered in a manner that underpins crime mapping use in the three broad areas of operations, tactics and strategy. Provides a complete start-to-finish coverage of crime mapping, including theory, scientific methodologies, analysis techniques and design principles. Includes a comprehensive presentation of crime mapping applications for operational, tactical and strategic purposes. Includes global case studies and examples to demonstrate good practice. Co-authored by Spencer Chainey, a leading researcher and consultant on GIS and crime mapping, and Jerry Ratcliffe, a renowned professor and former police officer. This book is essential reading for crime analysts and other professionals working in intelligence roles in law enforcement or crime reduction, at the local, regional and national government levels. It is also an excellent reference for undergraduate and Masters students taking courses in GIS, Geomatics, Crime Mapping, Crime Science, Criminal Justice and Criminology.




The Technology of Policing


Book Description

With the rise of surveillance technology in the last decade, police departments now have an array of sophisticated tools for tracking, monitoring, even predicting crime patterns. In particular crime mapping, a technique used by the police to monitor crime by the neighborhoods in their geographic regions, has become a regular and relied-upon feature of policing. Many claim that these technological developments played a role in the crime drop of the 1990s, and yet no study of these techniques and their relationship to everyday police work has been made available. Noted scholar Peter K. Manning spent six years observing three American police departments and two British constabularies in order to determine what effects these kinds of analytic tools have had on modern police management and practices. While modern technology allows the police to combat crime in sophisticated, detail-oriented ways, Manning discovers that police strategies and tactics have not been altogether transformed as perhaps would be expected. In The Technology of Policing, Manning untangles the varying kinds of complex crime-control rhetoric that underlie much of today’s police department discussion and management, and provides valuable insight into which are the most effective—and which may be harmful—in successfully tracking criminal behavior. The Technology of Policing offers a new understanding of the changing world of police departments and information technology’s significant and undeniable influence on crime management.




Foundations of Crime Analysis


Book Description

In recent years, the fields of crime analysis and environmental criminology have grown in prominence for their advancements made in understanding crime. This book offers a theoretical and methodological introduction to crime analysis, covering the main techniques used in the analysis of crime and the foundation of crime mapping. Coverage includes discussions of: The development of crime analysis and the profession of the crime analyst, The theoretical roots of crime analysis in environmental criminology, Pertinent statistical methods for crime analysis, Spatio-temporal applications of crime analysis, Crime mapping and the intersection of crime analysis and police work, Future directions for crime analysis. Packed with case studies and including examples of specific problems faced by crime analysts, this book offers the perfect introduction to the analysis and investigation of crime. It is essential reading for students taking courses on crime analysis, crime mapping, crime prevention, and environmental criminology. A companion website offers further resources for students, including flashcards and video and website links. For instructors, it includes chapter-by-chapter PowerPoint slides.




Mapping Crime


Book Description




Crime Analysis and Crime Mapping


Book Description

Crime analysis is an emerging profession in policing and a growing topic of interest in the criminal justice field. This book offers a thorough introduction to the field as well as guidelines for its practice, making it a useful asset for current and future crime analysts and police practitioners as well as for students.




Introduction to Crime Analysis


Book Description

This book offers a practical guide and resource for those in law enforcement who analyze crime. The target audience is those new to crime analysis, however many resources are presented that should be useful to more experienced crime analysts as well. Chapter 1 provides an introduction of crime analysis, including the challenges involved in defining crime analysis and the reasons for analyzing crimes. The basic types of crime analysis used in most local law enforcement agencies are described, and the authors point out that most agencies are moving toward tactical and strategic methods of crime analysis. Chapter 2 focuses on the tools of crime analysis. Computer skills are an important component of crime analysis, as demonstrated by the many Internet links provided as resources throughout the book. The importance of knowing the law, the investigative process, and modern policing strategies are also underscored in chapter 2. Linkage analysis, statistical analysis, profiling, and spatial analysis are also addressed in this chapter. Chapter 3 describes the stages of crime analysis: evidence collection, collation, analysis, dissemination, feedback, and evaluation. The Intelligence Cycle of crime analysis is also briefly presented. Chapter 4 turns to a discussion of geographic information systems analysis. Creating crime maps and mapping other data for crime analysis is reviewed and points on privacy issues are offered. Chapter 5 presents many of the crime analysis products available for purchase, including a description of the types of administrative crime analysis reports, intelligence analysis products, and a listing of resources for crime analysis products. Chapter 6 offers advice for the new crime analyst, while chapter 7 discusses the creation of a crime analysis unit. Policies and procedures for such a unit are reviewed and the marketing and funding of a crime analysis unit are discussed. The authors describe how to Measure the success of a crime analysis unit and share crime analysis success stories. Chapter 8 moves into a discussion of education and training resources, including training options for those in law enforcement and education and training offered by colleges and universities. Finally, chapter 9 presents resources for the new crime analyst, including agency resources, publications, and Internet sites.