NCJ Number
169695
Journal
Telemasp Bulletin Volume: 1 Issue: 10 Dated: (January 1995) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1995
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Based on a survey of 32 Texas police departments, this bulletin examines the administrative aspects of crime analysis.
Abstract
The function of the crime analysis unit is to identify, assemble, and disseminate information on crime incidents, criminal behavior and characteristics, and patterns and trends to be used in administrative, strategic, and tactical planning. The survey asked agencies about the percentage of their information that is developed for strategic, administrative, or tactical uses. Findings show that 49 percent of the information produced by crime analysis units is for tactical use, 24 percent for administrative use, and 27 percent for strategic use. The survey shows that Texas agencies are in need of crime-analysis training in a number of areas. The greatest need is in specific crime analysis training. Today, crime analysis is viewed as an operational support unit with its own identity on the organizational chart. The survey found that 62 percent are located under administration, usually in planning and research; the other 48 percent are under patrol or investigations. Thirty- one percent of the responding agencies currently use a geographic information system (GIS) program. MAPINFO is the most commonly used GIS program. Responding agencies indicated that they do not rely on only one or two sources of information for crime analysis, but rather use data from as many sources as are available. Crime analysis is enhanced by conversion to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). This bulletin concludes by answering some frequently asked questions about NIBRS. 6 figures