NCJ Number
241681
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 39 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2012 Pages: 620-634
Date Published
May 2012
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This research assesses the computerized crime linkage systems.
Abstract
Computerized crime linkage systems are meant to assist the police in determining whether crimes have been committed by the same offender. In this article, the authors assess these systems critically and identify four assumptions that affect the effectiveness of these systems. These assumptions are that (a) data in the systems can be coded reliably, (b) data in the systems are accurate, (c) violent serial offenders exhibit consistent but distinctive patterns of behavior, and (d) analysts have the ability to use the data in the systems to link crimes accurately. The authors argue that there is no compelling empirical support for any of the four assumptions, and they outline a research agenda for testing each assumption. Until evidence supporting these assumptions becomes available, the value of linkage systems will remain open to debate. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.