NCJ Number
142186
Date Published
1992
Length
17 pages
Annotation
A methodological model that examines spatial data connected to a series of crime sites generates a chloropleth probability map that indicates those areas most likely to be associated with violent repeat criminal offenders, namely, home, work site, or travel routes.
Abstract
The proposed model, which is based on the Brantingham theoretical structure and the routine activities approach, goes beyond simple cluster or centroid analysis by employing specific serial murder research, overlapping modified Pareto functions, and Manhattan distances. The methodology also proves sensitive to the target/victim opportunity backcloth, landscape issues, anisotropic spaces, as well as problems of spatial "outliers" that can distort results significantly. Police departments can use geographic information to help prioritize specific areas or suspects for investigative follow-up and in the implementation of patrol saturation efforts. Once a lengthy list of suspects has been created, the geographic profile, together with the criminal offender profile, can help prioritize individuals for follow-up work in serial murder investigations. 3 figures