12/17/ Geographic Profiling Geographic Profiling Charles L. Feer, JD, MPA Bakersfield College

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Identifying Spatial Patterns in Crime Identifying Spatial Patterns in Crime Crime Mapping Crime Mapping Geographic – Crime Profiling Geographic – Crime Profiling

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Crime Mapping Crime Mapping - Pin-points crime occurrences in specific geographical areas. - “Hot Spots” (zones) and “Hot Places”

12/17/ Geographic Profiling

12/17/ Geographic Profiling A. Auto-Theft11/11/15. 03:00 PM BLOCK OF CHRISTMAS TREE LANE BAKERSFIELD

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Geo Crime Profiling is to identify specific offenders - Patterns of routine activities - Choices they make in committing their crimes. (Geographic locations & Spatial movements.) Most applicable to series of crimes: Burglaries, Car Thefts, Arsons, Rapes, Murders, Serial Bombings, Bank Robberies, Child Abductions. Most applicable to series of crimes: Burglaries, Car Thefts, Arsons, Rapes, Murders, Serial Bombings, Bank Robberies, Child Abductions.

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Elements of Geographic Profiling Elements of Geographic Profiling Distance (Relative concept and perception. Means different things to different people.) Distance (Relative concept and perception. Means different things to different people.) Method of Transportation (Distance will be influenced by mode of transportation: Walking, Public Transportation, personal vehicle.) Method of Transportation (Distance will be influenced by mode of transportation: Walking, Public Transportation, personal vehicle.)

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Origins, Destinations and Travel Ways: Origins, Destinations and Travel Ways: (There are certain roads and highways we prefer.) Familiarity Familiarity (We are creatures of habit. We repeat things that are familiar and comfortable.) Comfort offers reassurance. “Cruising for victims. Looking for a place to “dump the body.”

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Number and types of geographical barriers: Number and types of geographical barriers: Jurisdictional boundaries (i.e. state line), freeways, rivers, railroad tracks, buildings, dead-end roadways. Alternative Routes: Most direct, most pleasant. Alternative Routes: Most direct, most pleasant. Multiple routes will offer greater chance of escape and confuse the police. Multiple routes will offer greater chance of escape and confuse the police.

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Actual Distance Actual Distance Mental Maps (A cognitive image of our spatial surroundings.) Mental Maps (A cognitive image of our spatial surroundings.) Our daily activities and experiences revolve around our “comfort zones” home, workplace, recreation sites and shopping districts. Our daily activities and experiences revolve around our “comfort zones” home, workplace, recreation sites and shopping districts. We connect these with various routes, avoiding barriers. We connect these with various routes, avoiding barriers. We choose paths that we use in our daily routine. We choose paths that we use in our daily routine.

12/17/ Geographic Profiling The highway system in America makes it possible for a predator to travel long distances in search of victims and confuse law enforcement. The highway system in America makes it possible for a predator to travel long distances in search of victims and confuse law enforcement. An Offender can dump a body close to a freeway and be on the road in seconds. An Offender can dump a body close to a freeway and be on the road in seconds.

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Geo Crime Profiling involves determining why a killer decided to search a particular neighborhood for a victim, choose that particular area to dump the body, pick that particular route to travel. Geo Crime Profiling involves determining why a killer decided to search a particular neighborhood for a victim, choose that particular area to dump the body, pick that particular route to travel.

12/17/ Geographic Profiling As a criminal becomes more adept to committing their crimes, he gains experience, which leads to an increase in comfort and confidence. As a criminal becomes more adept to committing their crimes, he gains experience, which leads to an increase in comfort and confidence. This will allow him to venture further out (away) from his initial geographical crime site. (Makes it more difficult to predict next crime location.) This will allow him to venture further out (away) from his initial geographical crime site. (Makes it more difficult to predict next crime location.) Known as “Geo Displacement” (i.e. Law Enforcement activities, media attention.) Known as “Geo Displacement” (i.e. Law Enforcement activities, media attention.)

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Investigators need to look at the locations of the first crimes committed, when suspecting a serial offender. Investigators need to look at the locations of the first crimes committed, when suspecting a serial offender. Areas of Victim Selection: Where does offender find suitable victims? Areas of Victim Selection: Where does offender find suitable victims? Are there areas that reflect the offender’s Mental Map? (Does he avoid or visit “mental barriers”? i.e. Court houses, jails, previous crime sites.) Are there areas that reflect the offender’s Mental Map? (Does he avoid or visit “mental barriers”? i.e. Court houses, jails, previous crime sites.)

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Types of Crime Locations (for violent crimes): Types of Crime Locations (for violent crimes): Encounter Sites Encounter Sites Attack Sites Attack Sites Crime Sites Crime Sites Victim Disposal Sites Victim Disposal Sites Vehicle Dump Sites Vehicle Dump Sites

12/17/ Geographic Profiling The greater the distance, the more planning involved, the more “organized” the offender. The greater the distance, the more planning involved, the more “organized” the offender.

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Neighborhood Demographics Neighborhood Demographics Characteristics of a population Look to behavior, travels and habits of the victims. (Their distance of travel, means of transportation.) Look to behavior, travels and habits of the victims. (Their distance of travel, means of transportation.) There are a number of computer assisted programs that can help with Geo Profiling. There are a number of computer assisted programs that can help with Geo Profiling.

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Questions? (Quiz to follow.) Questions? (Quiz to follow.)

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Quiz: Quiz: 1) Who would be expected to travel further in the committing of their offenses, Disorganized or Organized serial offenders? 1) Who would be expected to travel further in the committing of their offenses, Disorganized or Organized serial offenders? 2) List the 5 locations that we would expect to be involved in violent crimes. 2) List the 5 locations that we would expect to be involved in violent crimes.

12/17/ Geographic Profiling Quiz continued: Quiz continued: 3) List the “Comfort Zones” that were discussed in this lecture. 3) List the “Comfort Zones” that were discussed in this lecture.