Crime analysis is a set of evidence-based analytical techniques and processes used to quantitatively analyze crime and security data to support the planning and deployment of security and other resources to reduce and/or mitigate future crimes and security breaches at specific places.
In prior writings on this topic, the author defined crime analysis as the logical examination of crimes which have penetrated preventive measures, including the frequency of specific crimes, each incident’s temporal details (time and day), and the risk posed to a property’s inhabitants, as well as the application of revised security standards and preventive measures that, if adhered to and monitored, can be the panacea for a given crime dilemma. This definition of crime analysis was meaningful at the time it was developed, but now requires updating in light of the advances made in the profession of crime analysis in recent years.
Given the volumes of material written on crime analysis in recent years, it would seem fairly easy to co-opt an existing definition to replace the author’s outdated definition. Unfortunately, that was not the case as most of the existing definitions were focused primarily on public sector crime analysis, that is, crime analysis conducted by law enforcement agencies. For example, Steve Gottlieb defined crime analysis as a set of systematic, analytical processes directed at providing timely and pertinent information relative to crime patterns and trend correlations to assist operational and administrative personnel in planning the deployment of resources for the prevention and suppression of criminal activities, aiding in the investigative process, and increasing apprehensions and the clearance of cases. The International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA) defines crime analysis as a profession and process in which a set of quantitative and qualitative techniques are used to analyze data valuable to police agencies and their communities. It includes the analysis of crime and criminals, crime victims, disorder, quality of life issues, traffic issues, and internal police operations, and its results support criminal investigation and prosecution, patrol activities, crime prevention and reduction strategies, problem solving, and the evaluation of police efforts.
The International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA) goes further by recognizing four distinct categories of crime analysis based on the inputs (data sources), methods and techniques, and outputs (report type, application):
The IACA defines each of these as follows:
While crime intelligence analysis and administrative crime analysis may be particularly useful to large private sector organizations, organizations with global operations and unusual threats, and places with large security operations, tactical and strategic crime analysis are the primary focus of this book. Both of these types of analysis have considerable overlap.
With Gottlieb’s and the IACA’s crime analysis definitions in mind, one can consider a revised crime analysis definition appropriate for the private sector. The overlap between these types of crime analysis for the private and public sector are evident. Crime analysis is a process in which a set of quantitative and qualitative techniques are used to analyze data valuable to police agencies and their communities and for security departments and their organizations. Public sector crime analysts, those that work for law enforcement agencies, study information relevant to a police agency, including crimes, disorder, calls for service, quality-of-life issues, traffic collisions, and sometimes even fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) incidents. In the private sector, crime analysts study similar elements for an organization’s security function. According to the IACA, the crime analyst is “absolutely necessary for identifying and specifying the problem at hand, analyzing data to understand why the problem is occurring, helping to develop when and where responses would be best implemented, and helping to assess the impact of the response on the problem.” Crime analysts in both the public and private sector assist their agencies/organizations with designing, implementing, and evaluating crime and loss control efforts.
The following definition is proposed for the private sector:
Crime analysis is a set of evidence-based analytical techniques and processes used to quantitatively analyze crime and security data to support the planning and deployment of security and other resources to reduce and/or mitigate future crimes and security breaches at specific places.
While the provided definition emphasizes a quantitative approach, it is important to note that private sector crime analysis will sometimes operate within a broader qualitative and/or quantitative metric-driven framework, security risk model, and/or threat assessment. Crime analysis may also be used to comply with security guidelines adopted by individuals or organizations that conduct crime analysis in the private sector. For example, the International Association of Professional Security Consultants’ Forensic Methodology, if adopted, requires an evaluation of events that can adversely affect operations and/or specific assets. Historical information is a primary source for threat assessments, including past criminal and terrorist events. A threat assessment considers actual and inherent threats. Beyond crime data, the General Security Risk Assessment Guideline published by ASIS International, if adopted, suggests reviewing internal documents (e.g., security incident reports), prior complaints, prior civil claims for inadequate security, government intelligence, industry trends, and other area factors. Both the Forensic Methodology and the General Security Risk Assessment Guideline call for the analysis of qualitative information.
As a profession, crime analysts utilize a set of quantitative and qualitative techniques to analyze data to drive crime prevention and security decisions for organizations. Public sector crime analysts study information relevant to a police agency, including crimes, disorder, calls for service, quality-of-life issues, traffic collisions, and sometimes even fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) incidents. In the private sector, crime analysts study similar elements for an organization’s security function. According to the International Association of Crime Analysts, the crime analyst is “absolutely necessary for identifying and specifying the problem at hand, analyzing data to understand why the problem is occurring, helping to develop when and where responses would be best implemented, and helping to assess the impact of the response on the problem.” Crime analysts in both the public and private sector assist their agencies/organizations with designing, implementing, and evaluating crime and loss control efforts.
