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CRIME ANALYSIS

Crime analysis is a law enforcement agency function whereby data relating to crime are collected, collated, analyzed, and disseminated. Data are primarily generated from records and reports within the law enforcement agency. Additional data may be obtained from outside sources, such as other law enforcement agencies, other agencies of the criminal justice system, other government agencies, and private organizations.

Crime analysis represents a system utilizing regularly collected information on reported crimes and criminals to prevent and suppress crime and to apprehend criminal offenders. Crime analysis is a scientific process, in the sense that it involves the collection of valid and reliable data, employs systematic techniques of analysis, and seeks to determine, for predictive purposes, the frequency with which events occur and the extent to which they are associated with other events. The collection, analysis, and distribution of readily available crime data information to affected personnel will enhance agency effectiveness.

The information obtained by analyzing the data is used to support management and operations. Line function officers are provided with information that can benefit them in the development of daily operational and tactical plans. Staff functions receive information for use in strategic planning as it relates to such topics as crime trends, agency resource allocation, crime prevention, and other associated areas. The standards in this chapter address crime analysis as it relates to both strategic and tactical activities.

 

15.1 Crime Analysis

15.1.1 A written directive establishes crime analysis procedures to include:

a. specification of source documents from which crime analysis data elements are extracted;

b. analysis of crime data;

c. documentation of the temporal and geographic distribution of selected crimes;

d. the distribution of crime analysis information;

e. feedback analysis; and

f. briefing the agency’s chief executive officer on crime patterns or trends.

Commentary: Crime analysis should provide currently useful information to aid operational personnel in meeting their tactical crime control and prevention objectives by identifying and analyzing methods of operation of individual criminals, providing crime pattern recognition, and providing analyses of data from field interrogations and arrests. Also, crime analysis can be useful to the agency’s long-range planning efforts by providing estimates of future crime trends and assisting in the identification of enforcement priorities.

For a crime analysis system to function effectively, information should be disseminated to the appropriate units or persons on a timely basis. Information that is relevant to the operational and tactical plans of specific line units should be sent directly to them. Information relevant to the development of the agency’s strategic plans should be provided to the appropriate staff units.

When information pertains to tactical and strategic plans, it should be provided to all affected units.

The written directive should support the dissemination of specified crime information to enhance public information and generate community support. However, other information concerning operational needs, e.g., known offenders, modus operandi, suspects, and investigative leads, should be carefully controlled. Distribution may also include other components of the criminal justice system.

(N/A O M M)

15.1.2 A written directive identifies the factors included in crime analysis to include at a minimum:

a. frequency by type of crime;

b. geographic factors;

c. temporal factors;

d. victim and target descriptors;

e. suspect descriptors;

f. suspect vehicle descriptors;

g. modus operandi factors;

h. physical evidence information; and

i. problem oriented or community policing strategies, if any.

Commentary: None.

(N/A O M M)