Described from the perspective of an investigative technique, geographic profiling entails the methodologies of predicting the home locale of a serial offender, or similar anchor points, based on their crime locations. While there is increased frequency of use in regards to the implementation of geographic profiling among the police, few actually understand the operational settings and procedures of this phenomenon. According to Rossmo et al. (2012), geographic profiling (GP) refers to investigative methodologies implemented to analyze various locales associated with interconnected series of crime in order to come up with the actual location of the serial offender. As such, while the use of GP is evident among various investigation aspects, its reliability as a tool that prioritizes probable suspects is its forte. Nonetheless, predominantly among scholars, various debates abound concerning its accuracy in determining criminal activity. In crimes attuned to property vandalism however, GP has produced noteworthy results, which has in turn amalgamated its relevance in solving crime.
The first article by Meit Öhrn titled “Geographic profiling: A scientific tool or merely a guessing game?” deliberates the sensitive question of whether to inculcate geographic profiling in the process of investigation or not. Öhrn (2016) acknowledges the ambiguity and controversy of GP in the entire process of criminal investigations. This paper examines and brings to light the relevance of GP in property crime with a focus on burglary. As the author discusses and examines this problem, several hypotheses become abundantly clear. These hypotheses underline the author’s purpose, which is the examination of GP and its determination as a feasible tool while investigating, further, establishing its extent of successful implementation regarding property crime.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
In turn, the study results reveal that geographic profiling systems do not always portend accurate results compared to traditional methodologies. Nonetheless, strategies considered simple are in fact inconsistent compared to computerized systems. Moreover, as the study results indicate, GP is more applicable during investigations related to burglary incidents. To assure proper results, such applications have to be done accurately by investigators who have undergone ample training. While concluding, this article indicates that GP is innately more than just a guessing game and when appropriately implemented, offender identification becomes highly probable.
The second article titled “Geographic Profiling for Serial Crime Investigation” discusses not only the use of GP for serial crime investigation, but also its use in the suppression of heinous acts such as those perpetrated by terrorists. The authors’ fundamental basis of this study stems from environmental criminology, which is the assessment of interactions between criminals and the physical environments in which they operate. Fundamentally, the authors hypothesize that based on routine activity, crime patterns, and rational choices, law enforcement can use GP to determine possible locations of criminals. To employ this use, Rossmo et al. (2005) describes its algorithm as that which accurately divides the hunt area into grids, commensurately, calculating the perpetrator’s anchor point through assessing the probability of each grid.
The third article titled “Geographic Profiling Survey” investigates the experiences and views of geographic profilers, showing how their strategies subsequently provide invaluable information relating to crime management. The authors discuss the relevance of having both temporal and special data provided by map investigators. Such investigators in turn link special data with criminal patterns in order to develop pertinent trends (Emeno et al., 2018). Coming up with these trends subsequently ensures appropriate resource allocation, the identification of suspicious locations, and eventual apprehension. The article further extrapolates the various advantages and disadvantages associated with geographic profiling as well as crime mapping.
The use of geographic profiling transpires mostly within operational settings. Most times, computerized GP systems are decidedly accurate and used frequently among law enforcers compared to manual ones. Ultimately, since most stakeholders perceive GP systems as useful and accurate, backed by pragmatic implementation, police departments should continue its applicability as an investigative tool. Nonetheless, continued research regarding its use is warranted.
References
Emeno, K., Bennell, C., Snook, B., & Taylor, P. (2015). Geographic profiling survey. International Journal Of Police Science & Management , 18 (1), 3-12. doi: 10.1177/1461355715621070
Öhrn, M. (2016). Geographic Profiling: A scientific tool or merely a guessing game?.
Rossmo, D., Laverty, I., & Moore, B. (2012). Geographic Profiling for Serial Crime Investigation. Geographic Information Systems And Crime Analysis , 102-117. doi: 10.4018/978-1-59140-453-8.ch006
