Geospatial Intelligence Applications in Law Enforcement Analysis Gregory Thomas

Geospatial Intelligence

Applications in Law Enforcement Analysis

Gregory Thomas

Law Enforcement Analysis Supports

Crime Prevention

Shows patterns of criminal incidents. Forecasts community threats. Assists in the effective deployment of patrol. 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.

Facilitates visual and statistical analyses of crime.Allows linkage based on common variables.Helps to communicate results of analysis.

(Crime Analysis and Crime Mapping, R. Boba, 2005, pp. 37-38)

Environmental Criminology Rational Choice Theory

Choices made based on opportunities and rewards. Crime Pattern Theory

Crimes occur where offender’s space overlaps w/victim’s. Routine Activity Theory

Opportunities change based on changes in behavior. Environmental Design Theory

Identify and alter geographical characteristics that contribute to criminal predation.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (Defensible Space, O. Newman, 1972)

(See also: R. Boba, 2005; T. Baker, 2005)

Geographic Distribution Analysis

Occurrence of activity over a particular geographic area.

Plot events and summarize what it depicts.Map depicting the flow of activities or services

from one location to another.Illustrates flow chart on a map.

Geographic Flow ChartCocaine Flow to the United States

Source: ONDCP, Annual Assessment of Cocaine Movement.

Spatial Pattern Analysis

Analyze and correlate data sources.Create snapshot of crime incidents and

related factors within a geographical area. Look for patterns:

Locations Distances Direction Hot spots

Geographic Distribution Analysis Crime Mapping

Crime Data Includes:

Crime IncidentsArrestsCalls for ServiceAccidents

• Philadelphia Police Department Crime Mapshttp://citymaps.phila.gov/CrimeMap/StepByStep.aspx

Sex Offenders – Child AbductionsNational Sex Offender Registryhttp://www.familywatchdog.us/

Motor Vehicle Theft

OnStarStolen Vehicle Slowdown http://www.onstar.com/web/portal/securityexplore

LowjackStolen Vehicle Recovery System http://police.lojack.com/pages/law-enforcement.aspx

• Vehicle Theft Hot Spots

Travel of Suspects

Cell phone towersThe snitch in your pocket, Newsweek(http://www.newsweek.com/2010/02/18/the-snitch-in-your-pocket.html)

Road tollsPurchase receipts

1/13/091231 hrs

1/13/091301 hrs

1/13/091329 hrs

1/13/091413 hrs

Operational Information

SurveillanceRaidsPre-op plansGunshot

detectionsystems

Targetlocation

On-line Resources/Reading

National Institute of JusticeMapping and Analysis for Public Safety

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/maps/

Introductory Guide to Crime Analysis and Mappinghttp://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/RIC/Publications/introguidecrimeanalysismapping.pdf

Manual of Crime Analysis Map Productionhttp://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/ric/Publications/manualcrimeanalysismapprod.pdf

Other References

R. Boba, 2005, Crime Analysis and Crime Mapping.

T. Baker, 2005, Introductory Criminal Analysis.