The Role Of Geographic Profiling In Serial Violent Crime Investigation
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Reference Education -> subcategory Weather.
The Role of Geographic Profiling in Investigating Serial Violent Crimes
Summary
Thanks to films like "Silence of the Lambs," many people associate criminal profiling with techniques developed by the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit at Quantico. However, various other approaches exist, including geographic profiling, which plays a crucial role in criminal investigations.
Understanding Geographic Profiling
Geographic profiling is an investigative methodology that analyzes the locations of connected serial crimes to pinpoint the most likely area where an offender resides. It applies to cases such as serial murder, rape, arson, robbery, and bombings.
Background and History
The pioneer of geographic profiling is Kim Rossmo, who researched it during his PhD studies at Simon Fraser University, Canada. He collaborated with professors Paul and Patricia Brantingham, who developed a theoretical model examining where crimes are likely to occur based on the offender’s residence, workplace, and leisure activities.
The Brantingham model suggests that everyone has an 'activity space' related to where they live, work, and play, creating a discernible movement pattern. This implies that a criminal gains knowledge of a particular area before selecting crime sites. Rossmo turned this idea around, investigating what the crime location reveals about the offender’s potential residence.
Recognizing the practical uses of this research, the Vancouver Police Department established the world's first Geographic Profiling Section in 1995. Since then, organizations like Scotland Yard, the FBI, the NYPD, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have utilized its services.
How Geographic Profiling Works
Geographic profiling operates on the premise that crime location offers critical information. It helps determine an offender's probable residence, workplace, and travel routes. This involves both quantitative geographic techniques and qualitative interpretations of the offender’s mental map.
A key tool is the computerized Criminal Geographic Targeting (CGT) system. By analyzing spatial data related to time, distance, and movement, a three-dimensional model called a jeopardy surface is created. This surface, when overlaid on a map, highlights the probability of the offender’s residence or workplace.
Although complex, geographic profiling provides practical support for investigations. According to Rossmo, it allows police to focus efforts, prioritize suspects geographically, and concentrate patrols where the criminal is likely active.
Geographic Profiling Process
A geographic profile integrates into criminal investigations as follows:
1. Series of crimes committed.
2. Crimes investigated through traditional methods.
3. Link analysis identifies connected crimes.
4. Psychological profiling of the unknown subject.
5. Geographic profile creation.
6. Development and pursuit of new investigative strategies.
Geographic Profiling Methodology
Preparing a geographic profile involves several operational steps:
- Review case files, including witness statements and autopsy reports.
- Inspect crime scenes.
- Consult with lead investigators.
- Visit crime sites when feasible.
- Analyze local crime statistics and demographics.
- Study street, zoning, and transit maps.
- Conduct overall analysis and submit reports.
For more information about geographic and criminal profiling, visit [All About Forensic Psychology](http://www.all-about-forensic-psychology.com).
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: The Role Of Geographic Profiling In Serial Violent Crime Investigation.
You can browse and read all the articles for free. If you want to use them and get PLR and MRR rights, you need to buy the pack. Learn more about this pack of over 100 000 MRR and PLR articles.