As the discipline of crime analysis expands, it becomes ever more important to adopt universal definitions of terms. Crime analysis itself can be addressed as a process and profession, where a range of quantitative and qualitative techniques are utilized in order to analyze data, necessary for police agencies (IACA, 2014). Crime analysis encompasses a broad range of topics, including the analysis of crime and criminals, victims of a crime, traffic issues, as well as internal police operations. The results of crime investigation provide support to criminal investigation, prosecution, prevention and reduction of criminal activities, as well as evaluation of the functioning of the police and elaborating of the ways to increase effectiveness of its operation. Most commonly, crime intelligence, strategic, tactical and administrative types of crime analysis are singled out (IACA, 2014).
Computer technology plays a crucial role in the modern crime analysis. Different types of crime analysis require the use of divergent technologies. While the hardware, used in crime analysis is similar to the one, used in all other disciplines that rely on computer technology, specific software is required to conduct quality crime analysis (Boba, 2009, p.101). Dependent on its functions, the following types of software are used in crime analysis. Firstly, specific software is used to ensure data collection and storage. Collection and storage of secondary data is usually conducted with the help of computer-aid dispatch (CAD) systems, geographic data systems and systems of record management (RMSs).
Secondly, collating and analyzing data also requires specific software to be used. Most commonly, spreadsheet software applications, database management software (DBMS), statistical software (that uses data from spreadsheets and DBMS), as well as geographic information system software (GIS) are used in crime analysis to collate and analyze different types of data.
Thirdly, specific software is required to disseminate information. These types of software are similar to the ones, commonly used by organizations that work with data and disseminate it. Police disseminates information with the help of word processing software, spreadsheet software, graphic tools, publishing and presentation software, as well as Internet and Intranet applications.
Importantly, the types of software, discussed above, have been adapted for the purposes of crime analysis, but were not created to serve it (Boba, 2009, p.105).. In addition to these ones, there is a number of software applications that were created to follow aims, peculiar to crime analysis as a discipline. This type of software encompasses both small applications, used by police officers in order to draft and design reports and comprehensive programs that allow for completing a variety of tasks, required for the process of crime analysis. The reason for creating such program deals with the lack of opportunities to complete crime analysis tasks with the help of software created for other purposes (e.g, crime mapping or optimization of patrol placement).
Transferring to specific methods of collecting, storing and retrieving data for the purposes of crime analysis, one can mention the following. One of the most broadly used methods of collecting and storing data is a computer-aid dispatch system. This system uses a geographical display and telecommunication in order to support dispatch and response functions of the police. Similar systems are used by public safety agencies, such as ambulance. The system dispatches officers, locates them and tacks activities that were initiated by police officers. Most important pieces of information, obtained from citizens, are transferred to CAD systems. The data, stored in CAD, is addressed as “unit history”, because it allows for tracking officers’ activities in specific situations (Boba, 2009, p.102).
Similarly to CAD, RMS systems are used to collect and store data. Furthermore, RMS systems are broadly used to check the quality of data and retrieve the necessary pieces of information. Another important function of RMS systems is to support the cooperation between police and courts. Police officers often use RMS to locate reports that are to be transferred to the courts. Importantly, both CAD and RMS cannot be addressed as analytical tools. The data, contained in these systems is downloaded to other applications in order to be analyzed (Boba, 2009, p.104).
Geographic data systems are also used by police officers to collect and store information. Typically, such systems are run by city or county agencies. These systems are mostly shared by police and other agencies (e.g., performing planning functions or supplying utilities) (Boba, 2009, p.103).
Database management systems (DBMS) are also used by police officers in order to collect, store and make modifications to the data. While CAD and RMS are large systems of collecting and storing data, while DBMS systems are significantly smaller and are used to analyze and systemize smaller amounts of data.
Crime analysis has important benefits to both community and law enforcement. In community terms, it supports crime prevention and reduction, as well as helps to evaluate the operation of police forces and improve it. The major law enforcement-related benefit of crime analysis deals with the fact that it helps to collect and store large amounts of data that are required to ensure quality work of police and other law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, crime analysis tools are used to structure the internal functioning of the police.
References
Boba, R. (2009). Crime analysis with crime mapping. London: SAGE
IACA (2014). Definition and types of crime analysis. Retrieved 23 January 2016 from http://www.iaca.net/Publications/Whitepapers/iacawp_2014_02_definition_types_crime_analysis.pdf
