Description:

Students will learn crime profiling skills and specialized techniques of conducting research, analyzing data and producing crime analysis products. Students will survey existing computer applications and learn practical use and evaluation of these applications. Students will become familiar with the common written reports, charts and graphs used to describe crime analysis products. Students will survey the variety of customers served by crime analysts and the integral part crime analysis plays within the community. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Define crime analysis.
2. Explain the role of the analysts in law enforcement.
3. Identify, compare and contrast the types of analysis related to law enforcement.
4. Identify the stages of crime analysis.
5. Explain how spatial analysis provides a practical overlay to crime analysis.
6. List sources of data/information commonly used by analysts.
7. Create a sample crime bulletin.
8. Explain how crime analysis can assist investigators in clearing cases.
9. Organize information and identify key pieces of information to make arrests.
10. Explain the resources available to analysts and how these resources are used.
11. Identify and explain the key qualities possessed by a crime analyst.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Overview of Crime and Intelligence Analysis
   A. Definitions
      1. Define crime analysis 
      2. Define intelligence analysis
   B. Discuss needs served by analysis
   C. Discuss essential functions of analysis organizations
   D. Describe law enforcement’s use of crime analysis

II. Crime Analysis
   A. Types
      1. Discuss the administrative use of crime analysis
      2. Describe the strategic use of crime analysis
      3. Explain the tactical use of crime analysis
   B. Administration
      1. Describe the common office locations assigned to crime analysts
      2. List non-crime analysis work
      3. Differentiate between citizen request and internal request
policy
      4. Describe opportunities for internship and volunteer programs
      5. Explain the importance of budget and grants in starting and
maintaining crime analyst activities
      6. List methods of marketing crime analyst activities
   C. Data collection and data integrity
      1. Describe the collection and integrity of crime and arrest data
      2. Describe the collection and integrity of  data collection for
service information
      3. Discuss the use of field interview cards and forms in data
collection
      4. Discuss the manner of obtaining data from accidents
      5. Describe sources of data collection and data integrity
      6. Explain the use of surveys in data collection
      7. Explain the importance of observation in data collection
      8. Define content analysis
      9. List additional data sources
   D. Research methodology
      1. Discuss scanning, analyzing, responding and assessing (SARA)
      2. Contrast the pros and cons of quantitative vs. qualitative
research
      3. Discuss the importance of program evaluation, process and impact
assessment.
   E. Statistics
      1. Describe the common uses of crime analysis statistics
      2. Discuss rate and percent change
      3. Define mean, standard deviation, mode and median
      4. Define correlation
      5. Discuss forecasting and its uses
   F. Spatial analysis 
      1. Define spatial analysis (GIS) Geographic Information Systems
      2. List and discuss the pros and cons of various software
applications
      3. Describe the various types of mapping
   G. Tactical analysis
      1. Explain the tactical analysis of data collection and matrix
      2. Define trend, pattern, series, spree and hotspot analysis
      3. Contrast property crime vs. persons crimes
      4. Discuss the tactical analysis of suspicious persons and
activities
      5. Explain the importance of tactical analysis in obtaining
investigative leads
      6. Explain the use of tactical analysis in obtaining and using
information about the known offender
      7. Define spatial analysis and statistical forecasting
      8. Describe uses of various software and other analysis tools
 
III. Crime Information Presentation
   A. Written
      1. List and describe the various types of memos and reports used by
crime analysts
      2. Discuss the content and uses of crime bulletins
      3. Explain the value and use of e-mail distribution
   B. Graphics and other visual data presentation
      1. Explain appropriate use of Power Point presentations
      2. Discuss the appropriate use of charts and tables in data
presentations
      3. Describe the value of using maps to present data
   C. Person-to-person
      1. Contrast formal vs. informal briefings
      2. Discuss the attributes of appropriate courtroom testimony
      3. Discuss appropriate methods of presenting data at community
meetings
   D. Explain the advantages and uses of the internet in data collection
and presentation

IV. Overview of Employment Opportunities
   A. Jobs
      1. List jobs available within law enforcement agencies
      2. Discuss jobs available in crime analysis outside of law
enforcement agencies
   B. Hiring process
      1. Discuss the value of background investigations in the hiring
process
      2. List the common educational/experiential qualifications for a
crime  analysis
      3. Define abilities assessment and its importance in the hiring
process 

V. Law enforcement models and considerations
   A. Describe steps to be taken when forming a new crime analysis unit
   B. Define a cite visit and explain its importance
   C. List and discuss various implementation challenges and obstacles
   D. Discuss the pros and cons of the various methods one might use in
staffing a new unit
   E. List the steps needed in setting a standard operation procedure
(SOP)
   F. Discuss the importance of the documentation of work done
   G. Discuss the future of crime analysts
   H. Discuss the role of the International Association of Crime Analysts
(IACA)

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Examinations                    44 % of grade
Class participation/attendance  28% of grade
Projects/Assignments            28% of grade
Total                          100%

Grade Criteria:
A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 -  89%
C = 70 -  79%
D = 60 -  69%
F =  0 –  59%

Caveats:

1. Students will need basic word processing and Internet searching skills for the completion of some papers, exercises and projects.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.