Understanding Crime Analysis: Definitions and Applications

Crime Analysis

Crime analysis is fairly new in the aspect of application. This is an art that has been studied by various scholars over the past few decades. According to Santos (2013) there is no universal definition. Instead it depends on the scholar. Even though some of these definitions may differ, they have some similarities. For instance, they all agree that crime analysis supports the law enforcement agency mission, uses systematic information and information, as well as feed large amounts of information to the public. The class text book defines crime analysis as the systematic study of crime and disorder problems as well as law enforcement issues. Crime analysis is theory based. I am saying that it is based on estimates backed by

the gathered data (Santos, 2013, p. 2). It involves many techniques used by social scientist to collect data as well as statistics and analytical skill sets.

Crime analysis uses two types of data and methods, qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative data methods are used exclusively to research nonnumeric data in order to figure out the cause of the crime at hand. Field research and content analysis are both used within this data method. Crime analysts also use quantitative data methods to execute statistical analyses of numerical data or categorical data. I understand the text states that there are two types of data and methods, but the quantitative data method is used more frequently than the qualitative data method. They use this method because it displays percentages, frequencies, and rates, and means. This makes the data easier to analyze, present, and transfer to others (Santos, 2013, p. 3).What is the main tenet of crime analysis? It is study crime as well as disorder problems. It also looks for related information concerning the nature of specific incidents, victims, and offenders of these issues. Don't get sidetracked by the name itself. Crime analysts also study law enforcement issues as well. Some of these issues can be staffing issues, staff sustainment needs, and other issues that may arise at any given time

(Santos, 2013, p.3).
Crime analysts utilize three different types of information. These types of information are spatial, sociodemographic, and temporal. The temporal aspect of crime analysis studies the long term effects and trends of crime and disorder from as far as several years down to the week or time of the day. It is very specific. On one hand, Sociodemographic information describes the characteristics of potential victims, offenders, or groups such as sex, age, race, education level, income, and much more. Individually sociodemographic data is used to find out identities of potential crime victims or suspects. This is widely used in the fields of forensics and detective work. On the other hand, larger scale sociodemographic data is used to identify certain group characteristics in order to solve cases or prevent crimes. If you think of it, it is used individually during line ups. The spatial aspect of crime analysis helps to understand the central reason the problem exists. New technologies as well as computer data has helped this aspect grow tremendously over the years. Visual aids such as maps, graphs, and other data sheets have simplified the use of spatial analysis (Santos, 2013, p. 3). One of the most important systems is the Geographic Information System (GIS).Overall the main as well as first goal in utilizing crime analysis is to help deter crime and disorder as well as apprehend offenders. Last but not least law enforcement agencies use crime analysis to study their own efforts in order to figure out if their programs and initiatives are working for them (Santos, 2013, p. 4).
Intelligence Analysis
Models
It is known that intelligence analysis is the process of disseminating information analyzed and known about entities of tactical, strategic, or operational significance along with actions or analysis made on actions of the future.

It is understood that in Intelligence Analysis models are important and is a powerful tool in reference to Intelligence. The concept of models in this research is defined as the map, the theory, the paradigm, and the concept. It refers to quantitative data that involves the use of computers. It is important to remember that without a model an analyst would have to remember to many details (Clark, 2007,

p.3).
Models can be classified as physical or descriptive. The physical model is recognized by touch such as a globe, photograph, graph, or a map. It is understood that they can be described or classified. As defined in the text a conceptual model gives the analyst the opportunity to describe things in abstract ways. This means existing in ideas, thoughts, or just the inventions of the mind. For an example, in mathematics we may examine a box knowing that there is a length, a width, and a height. In multiplying them all we know that there is a mathematical model for the space in the box. Unlike a physical model a conceptual model can be both descriptive and normative. As defined in the text normative model is a decision support model (Clark, 2007, p.4-5).
Target Model
Examples of the military and law enforcement will better help to understand this term. For an example, in referring to the military combat or law enforcement operations analysts’ can quickly approach the target in using a model. The model is used to help locate Taliban forces in the example given in the text. However not all models problem breakdowns require target models. As defined in the text a sub model is basically a part of a bigger model. Analysts use it if the need to analyze in detail. In contrast to sub models, a collateral model shows a particular part or feature of the target model that can be geographical or chronological. Models are analyzed to obtain information for a customer. Collateral and sub models will be a collection of associated models that answers the questions of collectors or customers. Intelligence deals with obtaining knowledge from conceptual or descriptive models of the target.
In reading this chapter, readers will better understand the relation and importance of models in reference to Intelligence Analysis.