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An open-source implementation of geographic profiling methods for serial crime analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Jamie S. Spaulding

    (Hamline University)

  • Keith B. Morris

    (West Virginia University)

Abstract

The rgeoprofile R package was developed to implement functions for the analysis of serial crime incidents. Geographic profiling is an investigative technique that utilizes the spatial relationship of a connected series of crime incidents to determine or predict the most probable area of offender residence or anchor point. If successfully used as a decision support system, criminal geography can be used to help law enforcement agencies strategically target certain areas for inquiry or prioritize suspects through a narrowed search window. As an open-source platform, the rgeoprofile package contains several rapid reproducible models of spatial analysis using either centrographic or distance decay functions to predict the offender’s home base. An open-source approach results in transparent analyses with no-cost availability for agencies. Additionally, since both mathematical models and investigator heuristics have been shown to provide viable options for criminal geographic profiling, a software package, which integrates different solutions to the geographic profiling problem was needed. Finally, the article demonstrates the various geographic profiling methods in a case study of the Boston Strangler to illustrate the advantages of each approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Jamie S. Spaulding & Keith B. Morris, 2023. "An open-source implementation of geographic profiling methods for serial crime analysis," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 567-586, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jgeosy:v:25:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s10109-023-00417-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10109-023-00417-w
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Geographical profiling; Police investigation; Decision support systems; Open source;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C02 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - Mathematical Economics
    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • C63 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computational Techniques
    • C88 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Other Computer Software

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