CRJ 739 Crime Mapping
This course covers both the theory and practice of “crime mapping” – the use of Geographic Information Systems (“GIS”) to support the analysis of patterns of offending, deviance or disorder. Specific attention is given to the types of data required by various theoretical approaches. Students gain experience with a wide range of data sources, learn to examine data formats to ensure data quality, and to geocode data for use with GIS software. This course includes both descriptive mapping to investigate spatial and temporal crime patterns and analytical techniques for crime analysis. Tactical crime mapping and spatial analysis support strategies for the suppression of crime as well as the implementation of effective programs of crime prevention, problem solving and community policing. The course concludes with an individual crime analysis-focused research project.