NCJ Number
200790
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: Spring 2003 Pages: 25-36
Date Published
2003
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article discusses using street gang graffiti in order to identify gang members.
Abstract
Street gang graffiti accounts for around 10 to 12 percent of all graffiti in most municipalities, and such graffiti may be classified as either territorial, simple message, or roll calls. Gang-related territorial graffiti uses simple names, bold initials, and/or common totems, and simple message graffiti names allies, provides criminal intent, and informs members of timely events and death notices. Gang roll call graffiti contains the core gang members either listed as a series of names or presented as a cluster design. After presenting eight photographs illustrating gang roll call graffiti, the author suggests that gang membership data may be extracted from roll call graffiti. Furthermore, the author claims that graffiti identification analysis methods present circumstantial evidence that may be used to enhance criminal investigative and/or research methods. The first identification method is appropriate for ascertaining core gang members’ names, while the second and third methods are better suited for developing a street gang’s profile. The author suggests that individuals using street gang graffiti for gang member identification purposes should document the graffiti in the early morning to reduce chances of both detection and contact with potentially hostile gang members. References