Crime analysis and crime mapping (review)

Book reviews published in association with the July 2011 issue, vol. 53, no. 3, see <http://www.ccja-acjp.ca/en/cjcr.html> or <http://www.utpjournals.com/jour.ihtml?lp=cjccj/cjccj.html>

Pour les recensions de livres publiées en association avec la Revue de juillet 2011, volume 53, numéro 3, voir <http://www.ccja-acjp.ca/en/cjcr.html> ou <http://www.utpjournals.com/jour.ihtml?lp=cjccj/cjccj.html>

In 'Crime analysis and crime mapping' Boba offers a textbook on the evolving field of crime analysis. The emphasis of the manuscript is on three analysis types: strategic analysis, tactical analysis and administrative crime analysis. Intelligence and criminal investigative analysis are also (briefly) discussed, but are considered out of scope due to differences in analysis techniques, products and objectives.

The textbook consists of five parts, with a total of 14 chapters. The first part, introduction to crime analysis and crime mapping, consists of five chapters. After an introductory chapter, Boba defines the field of crime analysis, the stages of the crime analysis cycle and the above mentioned types of crime analysis. The third chapter provides an overview of crime analysis in the past and present. In addition, the author states several potential career paths in the analytical tradecraft. The fourth chapter explains the use of geographic information systems in crime analysis (crime mapping). A similar outline can be found as in the third chapter, namely an historical overview, the types of crime mapping, the current state of crime mapping and specific career paths for crime mapping. Chapter five discusses the criminological underpinnings of crime analysis. For instance, environmental criminology, repeat victimization, the diffusion of benefits and crime displacement as well as opportunity structures for crime are the subject of this chapter.

Part 2 focuses upon data and technology in crime analysis. Chapter six presents different types of databases (for instance incidents, accidents, arrests) used in crime analysis and specific considerations when using this type of information. The seventh chapter examines the hardware and software generally used for the collection, storage, analysis or dissemination of crime data.

Part 3 is dedicated to tactical crime analysis. Chapter eight considers the collection of data in tactical crime analysis as well as the methods for pattern identification. Chapter nine provides analytical, spatial and temporal techniques for identifying and understanding crime patterns along with how to create tactical analysis products.

In the fourth part, the emphasis is on the strategic level. Chapter 10 outlines the understanding of the context of a problem, whereas its nature is examined by the use of statistical techniques. Chapter 11 outlines the temporal analysis of problems. A special consideration is given to the problem of repeat victimization. In chapter 12 techniques for the spatial analysis of problems and the methodology for determining hot spots are presented to the reader. The final chapter presents the types of strategic analysis products and some guiding principles for composing such analysis products.

In the final part of the book the author addresses administrative crime analysis. Boba outlines how to address information considerations when presenting analysis for different audiences plus the importance of dissemination through the internet.

Boba's textbook has its merits as an introductory in crime analysis. A selection of the main facets of crime analysis is discussed and at the end of each chapter summary points and exercises are provided. Therefore the book will be definitely educational to students, crime analysts or researchers who would like to familiarize themselves with the field.

On a personal level, I found the exclusion of criminal intelligence and criminal investigative analysis a slight disappointment. Especially, if one considers the existing synergy between intelligence and crime analysis. Or, even the emergence geographical profiling of serial crimes as a subfield in criminal investigative analysis.

Also, the sections on career tracks or the current state of crime analysis are so specific for the United States. Of course, this is delimitation chosen by the author. But this information is merely nice to know for the non-US...