| Thanks to films like silence of the lambs, many | | | | work, social venues and travel routes etc. |
| people associate criminal profiling with the | | | | Geographic profiling consists of both quantitative |
| methods and techniques developed by the FBI at | | | | (objective) scientific geographic techniques and |
| the Behavioral Science Unit at Quantico. | | | | qualitative (subjective) components e.g. a |
| There are, however, a number of other | | | | reconstruction and interpretation of the offenders |
| approaches that can be used in the course of a | | | | mental map. |
| criminal investigation. The role of one of these | | | | The primary geographic technique is a |
| other approaches, geographic profiling, will be | | | | computerised system known as Criminal |
| outlined in the course of this article. | | | | Geographic Targeting (CGT). Put simply, spatial |
| Geographic profiling is an information management | | | | data i.e. data relating to time, distance and |
| system and investigative methodology that | | | | movement to and from the crime scenes is |
| evaluates the locations of connected serial crimes | | | | analysed to produce a three-dimensional model |
| to determine the most probable area of offender | | | | known as a jeopardy surface. |
| residence. | | | | The jeopardy surface contains height and colour |
| It can be applied in cases of serial murder, rape, | | | | probability codes which when superimposed onto |
| arson, robbery and bombings. | | | | a map of the area in which the serial crimes have |
| Background and History | | | | been committed give an indication of the likelihood |
| The name most closely associated with | | | | of offender residence or place of work. |
| geographical profiling is Kim Rossmo. Rossmo | | | | Although the science underpinning geographic |
| began studying geographical profiling as part of his | | | | profiling can be difficult to comprehend, its easy |
| PhD studies at Simon Fraser University (British | | | | to see how this approach can offer practical |
| Columbia, Canada). | | | | assistance in the course of a criminal investigation. |
| He studied under professors Paul and Patricia | | | | As Rossmo points out: |
| Brentingham, who had developed a theoretical | | | | By establishing the probability of the offender |
| crime model which examined where crimes were | | | | residing in various areas and displaying those |
| most likely to happen, based on offender | | | | results on a map, police efforts to apprehend |
| residence, workplace and leisure activity. | | | | criminals can be assisted. This information allows |
| Put simply, the Brentingham model maintains that | | | | police departments to focus their investigative |
| we all have an 'activity space' related to the areas | | | | efforts, geographically prioritise suspects, and |
| in which we live, work and play and that this | | | | concentrate patrol efforts in those zones where |
| activity space produces a discernible pattern of | | | | the criminal predator is likely to be active. |
| movement around the city. | | | | Geographical Profiling Process |
| In relation to criminal activity, therefore, it follows | | | | A geographic profile would typically fit into a |
| that an offender has to know about a particular | | | | criminal investigation as follows: |
| geographical area before he or she begins | | | | A series of crimes is committed. |
| selecting crimes to commit; and where the | | | | The crimes are investigated via traditional means. |
| offenders movement patterns intersect within | | | | Linking analysis conducted to ascertain which |
| this geographical area, will to a large extent | | | | crimes are connected. |
| determine where the crime takes place. | | | | Psychological profile of the unknown subject |
| Kim Rossmo noted that the Brentingham model | | | | conducted. |
| was examined primarily in relation to crime | | | | Geographical profile constructed. |
| prevention and was interested in approaching the | | | | New investigative strategies developed and |
| topic from the opposite perspective i.e. asking the | | | | pursued. |
| question, what does the location of a crime say | | | | Geographical Profiling Methodology |
| about where the offender might live? | | | | In preparing a geographic profile, a number of |
| Acknowledging the potential investigative use of | | | | operational procedures will be followed. These |
| this research the Vancouver Police Department | | | | include: |
| established the worlds first Geographic Profiling | | | | Examination of the case file: Witness statements, |
| Section in 1995. Since it's launch, Scotland Yard, | | | | autopsy reports & psychological profile (if |
| The FBI, The New York Police Department and | | | | available). |
| The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have all called | | | | Inspection of the crime scene. |
| upon the services of the geographic profiling | | | | Meetings and discussions with lead investigators. |
| section. | | | | Visits to the crime sites when practical. |
| How Does Geographical Profiling Work? | | | | Analysis of local crime statistics and demographic |
| Geographic profiling works on the premise that | | | | data. |
| the location of a crime site can provide the police | | | | Study of street, zoning and rapid transit maps. |
| with vital information. It assesses and predicts the | | | | Overall analysis and report submission. |
| offenders most likely place of residence, place of | | | | |