GIS APPLICATIONS IN
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Melanie Tennant, Research Associate
Gisela Bichler-Robertson, Director
CPAL-CSU, San Bernardino
Association for Criminal Justice Research
Oct. 18-19, 2001, San Diego http://cjrc.csusb.edu/CPAL/CPAL.html

I. What is GIS?
G eographic
I nformation
S ystem spatial realities data and their meaning computer technology
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The GIS Funnel
Source: Davis, B., (1996). GIS a Visual
Approach. Onward Press. Pg. 26.
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GIS Analysis:
Techniques using maps to explore data and identify patterns.
• Pin Maps
• Cloropleth or Thematic Maps
• Density Maps
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Current GIS Applications in
Criminal Justice
•
Law Enforcement
–
Arson Investigation
–
Border Patrol
–
Police Departments
•
Courts
•
Corrections
•
Probation/Parole
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II. Police Use of GIS
1. Augment Traditional Functions
– Crime Analysis
– Information Dissemination
2. Enhance Problem Solving
– Community and
Problem-oriented
Policing
– Task Forces
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Enhancing Traditional
Crime Analysis
Strategic
– Identify unusual activity levels by time or location
– Forecast potential crime events/ concentration
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Source: Bueermann, J. (1999). Mapping for
Managers. CMRC 10 th Annual Conference.
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Tactical
– Day to day
– For series, patterns, sprees, hot spots
– Used for Deployment & Administration
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Source: Bueermann, J.
(1999). Mapping for
Managers. CMRC 10 th
Annual Conference.
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Investigative
– crime scene, psychological & forensic information
– link serial or related events
– Temporal, geographic, DAN evidence to develop trends
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Mapping Crime:Principle and Practice. NIJ.P.153

Intelligence
– linkage between crime organizations & enterprises
– Relate elements such as companies, agencies, people, times, days, to crimes & places
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CPAL- CSU San Bernardino

CPAL- CSU San Bernardino

Operations
– Assess needs (calls for service, population of data & demographics)
– Generate projections for deployment & resource allocation
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CPAL- CSU San Bernardino
IACA Training Conference, Long Beach Sept. 20 th 2001.

Academic or Administrative
– reports or statistical summaries for grant funding, commanders & public
– Policy implications beyond law enforcement
CPAL- CSU San Bernardino

H ome Addresses of Drug Court Clients and Treatment Sites/Social Service Locations
Drug Court Treatment Center
[ % [ %
[ %
[ %
[ %
[ % [ %
[ %
[ % [ %
RYGCA
[ %
LUGONI A
RED LAN D S
[ %
; ;
[ %
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COLT ON ;
PARK
CIT RU S
[ %
ORANGE
;
BR
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[ %
;
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[ %
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Loma Linda Behavioral
M edical Center
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[ %
[ % Employment Development Department
; ;
[ %
CIT RU S
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ES
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[ %
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DL
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Department of Public
Social Services
Source: Bueermann, J. (1999). Mapping for
Managers. CMRC 10 th Annual Conference.
; Treatment Sites & Social Services
[ %
Drug Court Clients
Streets
Beats
1
4
5
2
3
[ %
[ %
CPAL- CSU San Bernardino it y na ly sis
U nit
W m un o m
C
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N
Redla nd
E s P oli
D ce e nt artm e p

III. Challenges to Using GIS
Ethical Issues
– Redlining
– Privacy Issues/Liability
Technological limitations
– Learning curve
– Data Compatibility (format)
Data Limitations
– Large scales/ detail of basemaps
– Availability and Currency
– Lack of micro-level data
CPAL- CSU San Bernardino

Making Data & Mapping
Available to the Community
Advantages
Public awareness
Partnerships
Involvement/
Empowerment
Accountability
Disadvantages
Privacy
Commercialization
Redlining
Insurance rates
Misinterpretation
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There are some important things that you need to know about before using this data!
1.
ALL ASPECTS OF THE DATA PROVIDED HEREIN ARE
SUSCEPTIBLE TO A DEGREE OF ERROR DUE TO THE
COMPLEXITIES OF THE PROCESS INVOLVED IN COMPILING
AND PROGRAMMING THE DATA. NO WARRANTY,
REPRESENTATION OR GUARANTY IS MADE OR IMPLIED
REGARDING THE CONTENT, SEQUENCE, ACCURACY,
TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE DATA PROVIDED
HEREIN.
2.
THIS VISUAL PRESENTATION OF DATA IS BEING PROVIDED
STRICTLY AS A COURTESY, AND NOT AS AN OBLIGATION, TO ITS
READERS. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT HAVE STAFF
AVAILABLE TO ASSIST IN THE INTERPRETATION OF THE DATA
PRESENTED HEREIN
I have read and understand the above Continue I do not wish to continue Back to main menu
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Sacramento Police Department http://citymaps.sacto.org/GISAPPS2/cdisclaimer.htm

Data Limitations impact
Problem Solving
• Lack of micro-level data in digital form
• Aggregation of community information
LEADS TO
Place Intensive Research
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GIS Analysis
– Aggregated information
– Large scale analysis
– Data and technological limitations
SOLUTION
Place Intensive
Methods
– Resource limitations
– Scale & boundaries
– Lost community context
Blended Approach
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Blended Approach
Phase 1. Community-level Analysis
Crime Analysis provides a framework and focus.
Phase 2. Contextual-level Analysis
Abbreviated User Analysis identifies micro, community level attributes that influence crime.
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Copies of this Presentation are available from:
Crime Prevention Analysis Lab
California State University
San Bernardino cjrc.csusb.edu/CPAL/CPAL.html
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