Geospatial Intelligence Applications in Law Enforcement Analysis Gregory

Geospatial Intelligence Applications in Law Enforcement Analysis Gregory Thomas

Law Enforcement Analysis Supports Crime Prevention q. Shows patterns of criminal incidents. q Forecasts community threats. q Assists in the effective deployment of patrol. q Supports community policing efforts.

Crime Mapping The process of using a geographic information system to conduct spatial analysis of crime problems and other police-related issues. q. Facilitates visual and statistical analyses of crime. q. Allows linkage based on common variables. q. Helps to communicate results of analysis. (Crime Analysis and Crime Mapping, R. Boba, 2005, pp. 37 -38)

Environmental Criminology q Rational Choice Theory q Choices made based on opportunities and rewards. q Crime Pattern Theory q Crimes occur where offender’s space overlaps w/victim’s. q Routine Activity Theory q Opportunities change based on changes in behavior. q Environmental Design Theory q Identify and alter geographical characteristics that contribute to criminal predation. q Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (Defensible Space, O. Newman, 1972) (See also: R. Boba, 2005; T. Baker, 2005)

Geographic Distribution Analysis q. Occurrence of activity over a particular geographic area. q. Plot events and summarize what it depicts. q. Map depicting the flow of activities or services from one location to another. q. Illustrates flow chart on a map.

Geographic Flow Chart Cocaine Flow to the United States Source: ONDCP, Annual Assessment of Cocaine Movement.

Spatial Pattern Analysis q. Analyze and correlate data sources. q. Create snapshot of crime incidents and related factors within a geographical area. q Look for patterns: q q Locations Distances Direction Hot spots

Geographic Distribution Analysis Crime Mapping

Crime Data Includes: q. Crime Incidents q. Arrests q. Calls for Service q. Accidents • Philadelphia Police Department Crime Maps http: //citymaps. phila. gov/Crime. Map/Step. By. Step. aspx

Sex Offenders – Child Abductions q. National Sex Offender Registry qhttp: //www. familywatchdog. us/

Motor Vehicle Theft q. On. Star q. Stolen Vehicle Slowdown q http: //www. onstar. com/web/portal/securityexplore q. Lowjack q. Stolen Vehicle Recovery System q http: //police. lojack. com/pages/law-enforcement. aspx • Vehicle Theft Hot Spots

Travel of Suspects q. Cell phone towers q. The snitch in your pocket, Newsweek (http: //www. newsweek. com/2010/02/18/the-snitch-in-your-pocket. html) q. Road tolls q. Purchase receipts

1/13/09 1231 hrs 1/13/09 1301 hrs 1/13/09 1329 hrs 1/13/09 1413 hrs

Operational Information q. Surveillance q. Raids q. Pre-op plans q. Gunshot detection systems Target location

On-line Resources/Reading National Institute of Justice Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety http: //www. ojp. usdoj. gov/nij/maps/ Introductory Guide to Crime Analysis and Mapping http: //www. cops. usdoj. gov/files/RIC/Publications/introguidecrimeanalysismapping. pdf Manual of Crime Analysis Map Production http: //www. cops. usdoj. gov/files/ric/Publications/manualcrimeanalysismapprod. pdf

Other References q. R. Boba, 2005, Crime Analysis and Crime Mapping. q. T. Baker, 2005, Introductory Criminal Analysis.