WHAT IS GEOGRAPHICAL PROFILING?

 GEOGRAPHICAL PROFILING

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INTRODUCTION

   Geographical profiling is a criminal methodology  that

analyzes the locations of a connected series of crimes to

determine the most probable area of the offender's address.

By incorporating both qualitative and quantitative  methods. It

assists in understanding spatial behavior and focusing the

investigation to a smaller community. Typically, used in cases

of serial murder or rape (also arson, bombing, robbery, etc).

The technique in large-scale, major crimes investigates the

hundreds and hundreds of tips coming in from the public.

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DEVELOPMENT

   Geographical profiling is based on assumption that the offender

tends to select victims who commit crimes near to where they 

live. Researchers have noted more importance has been placed

on the journey. Offenders habitually have to determine the

spatial range of criminal activity. Due to the offender's familiarity

with the area, which becomes the comfort zone of the offender.

Offenders prefer to commit crimes on a continual basis.

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THEORIES OF GEOGRPAHICAL PROFILING

  1.. ROUTINE ACTIVITY THEORY: the primary principle is that

the offender and the victim must intersect in time and space for

a crime to occur.

 2. RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY: concept relating to explanation

of spatial behavior include the least-effort-princriple where

criminals are more likely to spend the least amount of energy

required to commit a crime.

 3. CRIME PATTERN THEORY: the theory exerts the strongest

influence in geographical profiling. It suggests that crime

and opportunities mental map of spacial surroundings.

 4. SERIAL CRIMES: Serial crimes are the easiest to develop

for geographical profilers. The initial hunt and criminal acts

are likely to occur close to the offender's house or workplace.

 As of the success rate continues, the criminal's growing

confidence will lead to seeking prey further from home.

Activities involve hunting, targets. travel routes, made of

transportation and even everyday body sites.

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CONSIDERATIONS

  

   In developing a geographical profile, there are important

factors to consider:

1. CRIME LOCATIONS: a crime scene will contain evidence 

The evidence found at a location provides information 

leading to to the offending are victim's health, clues that drive

where a criminal has gone to/is hiding out. Collecting and 

comparing clues from numerous crime locations influences

the development of offender's patterns.

2. OFFENDER TYPE: Assessing the different types of criminals

   Hunter: the hunter targets a specific victim without even

leaving home. He commits crimes WHERE he lives.

   Poacher: a poacher will travel out of their way/territory to

do their hunting.

   Troller: a troller will settle for an opportunistic crimes

   Trapper: a trapper corners their prey

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HUNTING METHODS

1.BUS STATIONS/TRANSITIONS: offenders often "hang around"

bus stations, and methods of public transit. Takes advantage

of vulnerable and transient , lost victims.

 

2. PHYSICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL BOUNDARIES: offenders and 

victims alike are both restricted by physical boundaries such as

lakes, rivers, and highways.

3. LAND USE/NEIGHBORHOOD DYNAMICS: Certain offenders

prefer certain ethnicity of victims so they may seek different

neighborhoods affecting the proportion of crime in a given area.

4. ROUTINES OF VICTIMS: understanding the routine of victims

gives insight to the offender. They benefit by surveillance.