Overview
Criminals worldwide have reinvented and changed the ways they conducted their operations. They have become “smarter,” and as such, they have been able to evade all attempts by law enforcement agencies to apprehend them. Criminals almost seem to be one step ahead, and their plans are always perfectly thought through that they have effective countermeasures in the cases of eventualities (Taylor, Fritsch & Liederbach, 2014) . As a result, law enforcers and criminal analysts have also upped their techniques in efforts to keep up with the “smart” criminals. They have embraced scientific and technological maneuvers in their examination, analysis, and investigation of criminal activities with the aim of arresting the perpetrators before they commit the criminal offenses (Taylor, Fritsch & Liederbach, 2014) . In that regard, the law enforcers have adapted the application of analytical techniques that support crime intervention and prevention strategies with subspecialties in criminal investigative analysis, intelligence analysis, and operations analysis.
Analytical Techniques that Support Crime Intervention and Prevention
Crime analysts play an important part in the intervention and prevention of criminal activities through the utilization of various analytical techniques. Firstly, criminal investigative analysis-also known as criminal profiling-helps to solve violent crimes such as homicides, kidnapping, bombings, and extortions (Scott, 2010) . The investigative analysis process entails reviewing the evidence collected from the crime scene and gathering of the witness and victim statements. After that, the crime analyst examines the information obtained to establish behavioral patterns, characteristics, and traits (Taylor, Fritsch & Liederbach, 2014) . Additionally, crime investigative analysis also assists in the in-depth reconstruction of a crime scene to determine whether the death occurred as a result of homicide, suicide, or accidental circumstances. During criminal investigative analysis, crime analysts also help to assess threats from extortion communications, establish the risk levels on the victims, and offer mitigating solutions (Scott, 2010) .
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The second technique is the intelligence analysis which according to Ashwell (2017) “is the process by which the information collected about an enemy is used to answer tactical questions about current operations or how to predict future behavior” (Ashwell, 399) . Similar to criminal investigative analysis, intelligence analysis also works with the collected data to anticipate and prevent criminal activities. The information is often gathered through surveillance, informants, and interrogation of arrested suspects in order to obtain details regarding their future possible criminal actions (Ashwell, 2017) . There are various phases of criminal intelligence including planning, directing, collection, reporting, processing, dissemination, and integration. Intelligence analysis has successfully helped the US army for centuries in its efforts to protect the country from possible threats such as terrorist attacks.
Intelligence analysis is also a continuous process, and as such, the collected data must be updated regularly. The last analytical technique used by crime analysts to curb criminal activities is the operational analysis (Silva, 2018). It involves the examination of the systems and programs used in the analytical process to ensure that they are in good working condition. It also involves reviewing the procedures and regulations of criminal investigation and the deployment of skilled individuals conversant with matters of intelligence and investigation (Ashwell, 2017) .
Conclusion
The patterns identified during crime analysis help law enforcers to deploy their resources effectively and apprehend the suspects before they commit the heinous acts. Crime analysts are therefore very important individuals who work in collaboration with the law enforcers to predict crimes based on previous occurrences and identify the places and the time the next criminal offense will occur. Crime analysts often use computer databases and programs to collect and study criminal information. In addition, crime analysts build their databases using the information they get from receipts and insurance documents, and they continuously update their databases to ensure that the details contained are not only current but also relevant.
References
Ashwell, M. (2017). The digital transformation of intelligence analysis. Journal Of Financial Crime , 24 (3), 393-411.
Scott, R. (2010). Elements of Investigative Technique. Journal Of Criminal Law And Criminology , 40 (6), 821.
Silva, T. (2018). Knowledge and skills needed for successful management of crime prevention strategies. Journal Of Scandinavian Studies In Criminology And Crime Prevention , 19 (1), 113-114.
Taylor, R. W., Fritsch, E. J., & Liederbach, J. (2014). Digital crime and digital terrorism. Prentice Hall Press.
