Mapping the Criminal

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Geographic Profiling and Criminal Cases

How can Geographic Profiling Help in Criminal Case Processing?

Terminology of Geographic Profiling

Geographic Profiling in Criminal Cases

Measuring how much Geographic Profiling Contributes to Criminal Justice’s Success

Chapter 2: Theories of Travelling Behaviour Applied to Geographic Profiling

Typologies of Serial Offenders

Routine Activity, Rational Choice and Crime Pattern Theory

Behavioural Geography and Environmental Criminology

Travelling Habits by Offending Groups & Journey-to-Crime Conduct

Linking Crime Series by Modus Operandi: CCA – Comparative Case Analysis & CPA – Crime Pattern Analysis

Commuter and Marauder Models

Decay Functions in Geographic Profiling

Chapter 3: Geographic Profiling: How does it Work?

Implementation of Geographical and Criminological Theories in Geographic Profiling

Introduction into the Main Profiling Systems and Software and their Use

Criminal Investigation Programmes interacting with Geographic Profiling Systems

Case Studies: Examples for Practical Applications of Geographic Profiling in Police Work

Chapter 4: A Review on the Research Evidence on the Effectiveness of Geographic Profiling

Review of the Research Evidence on Geographic Profiling

Deficiencies in Geographic Profiling Techniques & Geographic Profiling Evaluation Methodologies

Human investigative skills vs. Geographic Profiling Software & Systems

Research Studies on the Efficacy of Geographic Profiling Systems

Conclusion on the Efficacy of Geographic Profiling Methods

Objectives and Research Focus

This dissertation aims to evaluate the effectiveness of geographic profiling methods as tools for criminal investigations. By conducting a structured literature review and analyzing empirical research, the study seeks to determine whether these methodologies are truly supportive of the investigative process and to what extent they contribute to solving criminal cases.

• Examination of the conceptual basis of geographic profiling via criminological theories.
• Review of current profiling systems and software used in law enforcement.
• Assessment of the efficacy of geographic profiling through case study analysis.
• Comparison of automated actuarial techniques versus human investigative skills.
• Identification of technical and practical limitations in current profiling methodologies.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Chapter 1: Geographic Profiling and Criminal Cases: This chapter introduces geographic profiling as an investigative instrument and defines key terminology while discussing how the relative success of these methods can be measured.

Chapter 2: Theories of Travelling Behaviour Applied to Geographic Profiling: This section covers criminological theories such as routine activity and crime pattern theory to explain how spatial behavior influences offender decision-making.

Chapter 3: Geographic Profiling: How does it Work?: This chapter details the technical implementation of profiling, explores major software systems, and presents case studies illustrating their practical application in police investigations.

Chapter 4: A Review on the Research Evidence on the Effectiveness of Geographic Profiling: This section critically evaluates research evidence, addresses deficiencies in current methodologies, and compares algorithmic profiling with human investigative skills.

Keywords

Geographic Profiling, GIS, Criminal Investigation, Offender Residence, Serial Offender, Crime Mapping, Spatial Behaviour, Journey-to-Crime, Routine Activity Theory, Crime Pattern Theory, Modus Operandi, Crime Hotspots, Commuter Model, Marauder Model, Distance Decay.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this dissertation?

The work focuses on the efficacy of geographic profiling methods and their actual support to the criminal investigative process, specifically examining to what extent they contribute to solving criminal cases.

What are the central themes discussed in the study?

Central themes include the theoretical basis of criminal spatial behaviour, the technical functioning of profiling software, the evaluation of investigative effectiveness, and the comparison between human expertise and algorithmic models.

What is the main research question or objective?

The core objective is to determine whether recent geographic profiling methods effectively support police investigations and to what degree they assist in the successful resolution of crime.

Which scientific methods are employed for this research?

The study utilizes a structured, literature-based dissertation approach, performing a review of empirical research, comparative case studies, and existing systematic reviews to synthesize current evidence.

What topics are covered in the main section of the document?

The main sections cover criminological theories (routine activity, rational choice), an overview of profiling systems like Rigel and Dragnet, detailed case study analysis, and critical reviews of performance metrics such as error distance and hit score.

Which specific keywords define this research?

Key terms include geographic profiling, GIS, spatial behaviour, serial offending, crime mapping, and distance decay, among others listed in the keyword section.

How does the study address the 'commuter' and 'marauder' offender models?

The study explains these models within the context of the Circle Theory of Environmental Range, noting that while marauders operate from a base within the crime cluster, commuters travel outside their normal range, posing a challenge for current software algorithms.

What conclusion does the author reach regarding the effectiveness of geographic profiling?

The author concludes that despite some technical limitations and the need for high-quality data, geographic profiling is an essential modern investigative tool that provides high-quality insights for solving complex, high-profile criminal cases.