Introduction
Crime analysts use crime mapping and GIS software programs to visualize, analyze, as well as map crime incident patterns. Crime mapping refers to the process of conducting spatial analysis of crime issues as well as other issues that are police-related through the use of a geographical information system. Crime mapping plays a vital role in crime analysis. This is because it helps analysts in law enforcement agencies understand the relationship between people, time, crime, and location (Karpilo, 2018). Therefore, we can say that crime mapping aids in the identification of crime, optimization of resource allocation, as well as the application of practical approaches to avert crime. This achieved through the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Through GIS, crime analysts can identify crime patterns, trends, and hot spots.
A GIS is a computer-based program that is used to stores, manages, modify, visualize, analyze, and integrates both tabular and geographical data (ESRI, 2012). GIS is very significant tools used extensively all over the world with a wide range of applications for digital mapping. GIS plays a significant and effective role in running disaster simulations as well as in crime analysis and mapping by identifying location prone to crimes (ESRI, 2008). Organizations use GIS as an interface for retrieving as well as integrating the vast amount of location-based information. Through the use of GIS, analysts in law enforcement agencies can overlay other databases such as census demographics, the location of pawn shops, etc.
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Clarifying where crimes and other police-related issues occur is one of the numerous significant functions of crime analysis. As a result, numerous software packages have been developed. However, there is two leading programs which is widely used in the world. These two programs are MapInfo developed by the Pitney Bowes Software Corporation and ArcGIS developed by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI).
MapInfo
MapInfo produced by Pitney Bowes is a desktop GIS software product. Four students created the software in 1986; the students were attempting to develop a mapping tool for PC that is inexpensive (Osterman, 2014). The students later sold the software program to Pitney Bowes who developed the software. As a result, MapInfo Professional was created in 1986. Improvements, such as labeling, scale bars, and others, were made to create cartographic output that is of high quality. MapInfo lets its users visualize, analyze, and output data to understand patterns and trends. The program also allows its users to explore spatial data and create maps.
ArcGIS
ArcGIS developed by ESRI is one of the GIS programs that is widely used in the world both by companies as well as in education. It was developed in 1999, and the software has developed ever since (Osterman, 2014). ArcGIS is used for creating maps and for analyzing mapped information. The program is also used for compiling geographic data as well as in managing geographic data in a database.
Similarities and Differences between ArcGIS and MapInfo
Similarities
There are numerous similarities between MapInfo and ArcGIS. Fundamentally, both ArcGIS and MapInfo are appropriate for use in cartography as well as for analysis. Regarding screen digitizing, for instance, using aerial photos to update maps, both ArcGIS and MapInfo can display raster data (photo images) as a backdrop. However, in MapInfo, the screen re-draws can be interrupted whereas in ArcGIS cannot be interrupted. Additionally, ArcGIS and MapInfo have some similarities when it comes to data-driven color-coding and symbolization a since they are both composed of a rich set of thematic options. Some of these thematic options are; dot density fills, pie diagrams, and ranged fills. Typically, both of these two programs operate under Windows or Windows NT. This means that they are both compatible with other Windows systems.
Differences between ArcGIS and MapInfo Crime Mapping and Software Programs
There are numerous differences between ArcGIS and MapInfo. Fundamentally, their differences lie in their layout and the way they operate due to their different designs. MapInfo is more basic and good for dealing with sets of data that are relatively small. The software program is simple and has shorter load times. Additionally, MapInfo is less prone to crashes. On the other hand, ArcGIS is more complex, hence, the software program requires greater system requirements. As a result of its complexity, the ArcGIS is more prone to crash. This is because the software program uses a complex model and process large volumes of data simultaneously.
The other difference between ArcGIS and MapInfo is on the overall appearance. Compared to MapInfo, ArcGIS is a bit more modern in term of its appearance. This is because the program was easier to use or enhanced the graphic user interface. The layout view of ArcGIS is much better compared to that of MapInfo. ArcGIS is composed of two views, one for the map (data view) and one for layout. On the contrary, MapInfo is composed of 10 windows open.
ArcGIS does a good job regarding digitizing. This is because, in ArcGIS, an individual can trace lines, snap to the node. However, this requires an upgraded version of ArcGIS; this is because the upgrade version offers access to more editing tools. On the other hand, this digitizing process is simplified in MapInfo since it contains all necessary functions and it is easier to use as well as easy to convert objects to polygons or polylines.
Also, more data is accessible in ArcGIS formats than MapInfo. When it comes to connecting to a server, like WMS server, WCS, IMS, ArcGIS has more functionality compared to MapInfo. The software program can connect to government data, such as USGS, PLSS, and BLM’s as well as other servers, such as ArcGIS online which offer useful layers as well as base maps.
Conclusion
What it comes down to is that ArcGIS is better suited for analysis whereas MapInfo is best suited for creating and editing maps. However, when it comes to crime mapping, ArcGIS if far much better than MapInfo, though it is very expensive and also very difficult to learn as a result of its depth and complexity. ArcGIS cost is approximately ten times more than MapInfo. Since the software program has enhanced the graphic user interface and also can process large volumes of data simultaneous, I would advise my agency to purchase ArcGIS. This is because the software program is best suited for crime mapping and analysis than MapInfo.
References
ESRI. (2008). Corrections: GIS Solutions for Community Protection and Facility Intelligence. [Online]. Available at: https://www.esri.com/~/media/Files/Pdfs/library/brochures/pdfs/corrections.pdf . Accessed 25th Jan 2019.
ESRI. (2012). From the Cell to the Streets: GIS for Probation, Parole, and Corrections. [Online]. Available at: https://www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/from-the-cell-to-the-streets.pdf . Accessed 25th Jan 2019.
Karpilo. J. (2018). Crime Mapping and Analysis. [Online]. Available at: https://www.thoughtco.com/crime-mapping-and-analysis-1435686 . Accessed 25th Jan 2019.
Osterman, A. (2014). Map Visualization in ArcGIS, QGIS and MapInfo. [Online]. Available at: https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:729183/FULLTEXT01.pdf . Accessed 25th Jan 2019.
