NCJ Number
152721
Journal
Gazette Volume: 56 Issue: 10 Dated: (1994) Pages: 9-13
Date Published
1994
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Canada's Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System (VICLAS), developed during the early 1990's, has been expanded to capture data relative to five offense types: homicides and attempted homicides, sexual assaults of a predatory nature, missing persons, unidentified bodies, and nonparental abductions and attempted abductions.
Abstract
VICLAS uses long and short questionnaires to capture data on offenders, victims, modus operandi, behavior, and forensic evidence. Computerized questionnaires eliminate the subjectivity of previous narrative submissions by investigators. An effort is made to ensure the confidentiality of information by using passwords to control access and by employing a sophisticated tracking and auditing system. VICLAS is designed to be compatible with investigative techniques and systems in other countries. By identifying criminal cases of a serial nature, the system allows individual law enforcement agencies to pool their expertise. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia have used VICLAS for nearly 2 years, have 2,000 cases in their database, and have achieved a remarkable 41 linkages. The benefits of VICLAS will be fully realized when all Canadian law enforcement agencies participate in its use. A sample data collection form is included.