Whatever you are analyzing in your role as a law enforcement analyst, there are likely types of information you could add that would enhance the value of your analytical conclusions.
Below are some types of information that, analyzed and incorporated, case by case, pattern by pattern, might make a difference in your contribution to investigations and solution-finding:
Some Types of Information
911 Call Data
Alarm Company Info
Anonymous Tips
Arrest Data
Business Info
Business Licensing Info
Business Open Source Information
Census Data
Citizen Complaint Info
Community Organization Info
Confidential Informant Info
County Records
Crime Reports
Critical Infrastructure Info
Databases- Commercial
Databases - Government
Demographics Data
Drug Overdose/Death Info
Field Interview Forms
Financial records
Fire/Rescue data
Firearm Licenses
Gang Info
Hunting/Fishing Licenses
Intelligence Info
Investigative Follow-up Reports
Juvenile Offender Info
Land Use Info
Liquor License Location Info
Neighborhood Watch Info
Offender Data
Organized Crime Info
Other Law Enforcement Agency Info
Parks Info
Parole Info
Pawnshop Info
Private Security Info
Premise Hazard Info
Probation Info
Professional Licensing Info
Property Ownership Info
Public Health Data
Public Housing Info
Public Transformation Route Info
Registered Sex Offender Info
School Info
Social Media
Social Services Info
Stolen/Recovered Property
Street Map Data
Surveillance Info
Telephone Records
Terrorist Threat Info
Threat Assessments
Traffic Stop Info
Victim Data
Friday, March 29, 2019
Monday, March 25, 2019
Crime Analysis for Problem Solving Security Professionals in 25 Small Steps
Crime Analysis for Problem Solving Security Professionals in 25 Small Steps, by Karim H. Vellani, provides you, the law enforcement analyst, a different perspective on crime analysis. Understanding how security professional view crime can help you better address those hot dots of crime represented by the individual businesses in your jurisdiction. The document focuses on applying problem oriented policing strategies to security risks in the private sector.
"This Report, then, will answer the question: How does one measure the effectiveness of a site specific security program via crime analysis? More specifically, how do security professionals provide the optimal level of security for a site that not only reduces risk, but is also cost effective?
This Report is applicable to a broad spectrum of security professionals, including security professionals, facility managers, risk managers, and property managers. Ideally, readers will use the information to optimize their security programs. While the audience for this report is broad, facilities that serve the general public, such as retail stores, banks, hotels, gas stations, and the like will have a discernible benefit."
Law enforcement analysts may have the opportunity to share resources with the community, community police officers, and the private sector. If you are in that situation, this document may be useful to you.
See the link here.
"This Report, then, will answer the question: How does one measure the effectiveness of a site specific security program via crime analysis? More specifically, how do security professionals provide the optimal level of security for a site that not only reduces risk, but is also cost effective?
This Report is applicable to a broad spectrum of security professionals, including security professionals, facility managers, risk managers, and property managers. Ideally, readers will use the information to optimize their security programs. While the audience for this report is broad, facilities that serve the general public, such as retail stores, banks, hotels, gas stations, and the like will have a discernible benefit."
Law enforcement analysts may have the opportunity to share resources with the community, community police officers, and the private sector. If you are in that situation, this document may be useful to you.
See the link here.
Friday, March 22, 2019
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Analyst Professional Development Road Map
The June 2015 Analyst Professional Development Road Map is a resource for analysts with any level of professional experience.
"To support law enforcement leadership as they continue to hire and train analysts, the Analyst Professional Development Road Map (Road Map) was developed. The purpose of the Road Map is to create a sustainable, professional career path for analysts operating within state, local, tribal, and territorial organizations. This path focuses on the development and enhancement of analytic-related knowledge, skills, and abilities over three overarching analyst levels (basic, intermediate, and advanced) and the training recommended for achieving each level. In the context of this document, the term “analyst” typically refers to an individual serving in an intelligence analyst position; however, other analysts, including crime analysts, are encouraged to use this guidance as appropriate."
Link to the document download option here.
"To support law enforcement leadership as they continue to hire and train analysts, the Analyst Professional Development Road Map (Road Map) was developed. The purpose of the Road Map is to create a sustainable, professional career path for analysts operating within state, local, tribal, and territorial organizations. This path focuses on the development and enhancement of analytic-related knowledge, skills, and abilities over three overarching analyst levels (basic, intermediate, and advanced) and the training recommended for achieving each level. In the context of this document, the term “analyst” typically refers to an individual serving in an intelligence analyst position; however, other analysts, including crime analysts, are encouraged to use this guidance as appropriate."
Link to the document download option here.
Monday, March 18, 2019
VOLTAGE
In Dr. Jerry Ratcliffe's blog post, "How long division taught me to think about crime," he uses a term he calls VOLTAGE.
V -victims
O - offenders
L - locations
T - times
A - attractors
G - groups
E - enticers
He says: "In my training I use numerous structured approaches like this, including VOLTAGE. VOLTAGE is an extension of a simple analytical tool (VOLT) that has previously been used in some British police services as a framework for structuring knowledge about crime problems. Take a complicated crime problem and break it down into simpler components."
"Instead of just ‘thinking hard’ about a crime problem, it is better to think specifically about what we know about the victims, the offenders, the locations, the times, and so forth. It helps us identify what we know, and what we don’t know."
Read the blog post to find out more!
V -victims
O - offenders
L - locations
T - times
A - attractors
G - groups
E - enticers
He says: "In my training I use numerous structured approaches like this, including VOLTAGE. VOLTAGE is an extension of a simple analytical tool (VOLT) that has previously been used in some British police services as a framework for structuring knowledge about crime problems. Take a complicated crime problem and break it down into simpler components."
"Instead of just ‘thinking hard’ about a crime problem, it is better to think specifically about what we know about the victims, the offenders, the locations, the times, and so forth. It helps us identify what we know, and what we don’t know."
Read the blog post to find out more!
Friday, March 15, 2019
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Free Open Source Intelligence Resources
"Online Search and Security Tools and Resources for the Investigative and Intelligence Professional," updated February 15, 2019, provided by Toddington International, Inc., can be found at this link.
I encourage all analysts to explore the resources here, to bookmark those relevant to you, and to find other open source resources to complement your personal analytical toolbox.
You might consider developing a spreadsheet of such tools to share with your officer/investigators.
I encourage all analysts to explore the resources here, to bookmark those relevant to you, and to find other open source resources to complement your personal analytical toolbox.
You might consider developing a spreadsheet of such tools to share with your officer/investigators.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Crime Analysts of Illinois Training Videos
The Crime Analysts of Illinois have some free training videos that you can find at this link: click here.
Let's see more of such materials available for free online to help analysts' professional growth!
Let's see more of such materials available for free online to help analysts' professional growth!
Friday, March 8, 2019
International Women's Day 2019
Today is International Women's Day.
We don't hear or talk much about this, but the reality is the majority of law enforcement analysts are women and they suffer discrimination because of it.
If you are a female law enforcement analyst you may have experienced these things at work:
We don't hear or talk much about this, but the reality is the majority of law enforcement analysts are women and they suffer discrimination because of it.
If you are a female law enforcement analyst you may have experienced these things at work:
- dismissiveness toward your opinion
- flirting by male supervisors
- discomfort when you walk in the room because you are disrupting the male camaraderie in a room
- having an advantage because you are attractive
- and more
The news article Crime analyst sues Fort Collins police, city over alleged gender, age discrimination is an important read.
Is one of the reasons law enforcement analysis struggling for acceptance due to gender discrimination?
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Good Analytical Reports for Intelligence Led Policing
A blog reader asked me this question: What are some good examples of reports crime analysts can produce for intelligence led policing?
I reached out to Dr. Jerry Ratcliffe, author of the book Intelligence-Led Policing, and asked him this question. He replied:
"ILP focuses on repeat victims, crime hot spots, prolific offenders, and criminal groups. Each of these will potentially necessitate a different type of product. The most important characteristic of a product is that it influences the thinking of the decision-maker. If the decision-maker chooses a tactical option or strategy that they wouldn't have selected without the product, then the analyst knows they have done their job! Because it is dependent on influencing the decision-maker, the best product is one tailored to the decision-makers needs and place where they are at the time (emotionally, professionally, organizationally). That might be a one pager, an executive summary of a couple of pages, a chat over coffee, a concise verbal briefing, or even a 90 second elevator pitch. The secret is to understand the decision-makers needs and operational situation and what type of report is likely to achieve the overarching goal of getting to a good policy decision."
So, law enforcement analysts, knowing your decision-makers and developing trusted relationships with them is key! Emotional intelligence and social skills are just as important as technical and research skills... that's something to think about.
I reached out to Dr. Jerry Ratcliffe, author of the book Intelligence-Led Policing, and asked him this question. He replied:
"ILP focuses on repeat victims, crime hot spots, prolific offenders, and criminal groups. Each of these will potentially necessitate a different type of product. The most important characteristic of a product is that it influences the thinking of the decision-maker. If the decision-maker chooses a tactical option or strategy that they wouldn't have selected without the product, then the analyst knows they have done their job! Because it is dependent on influencing the decision-maker, the best product is one tailored to the decision-makers needs and place where they are at the time (emotionally, professionally, organizationally). That might be a one pager, an executive summary of a couple of pages, a chat over coffee, a concise verbal briefing, or even a 90 second elevator pitch. The secret is to understand the decision-makers needs and operational situation and what type of report is likely to achieve the overarching goal of getting to a good policy decision."
So, law enforcement analysts, knowing your decision-makers and developing trusted relationships with them is key! Emotional intelligence and social skills are just as important as technical and research skills... that's something to think about.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Community Policing
Law enforcement analysts need a broad grasp of various policing models, even if the agency they work in seems to apply only one model, or maybe even none. One such model is Community Policing.
The Community Oriented Policing Services Training Portal can be found at this link. You can register to take the online class "Community Policing Defined."
"Community Policing Defined is an interactive online course designed to provide participants with a basic awareness and understanding of the fundamental principles and best practices of community policing. Based on the Department of Justice, COPS Office publication of the same name, Community Policing Defined not only describes the practice of community policing but also examines how it can be effectively applied."
Read George L. Kelling's article "Community Policing, Rightly Understood," published in the Winter 2019 issue of the City Journal,
The Community Oriented Policing Services Training Portal can be found at this link. You can register to take the online class "Community Policing Defined."
"Community Policing Defined is an interactive online course designed to provide participants with a basic awareness and understanding of the fundamental principles and best practices of community policing. Based on the Department of Justice, COPS Office publication of the same name, Community Policing Defined not only describes the practice of community policing but also examines how it can be effectively applied."
Read George L. Kelling's article "Community Policing, Rightly Understood," published in the Winter 2019 issue of the City Journal,
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
RECORDED WEBINAR: UTILIZING ADVANCED GOOGLE SEARCHES
RECORDED WEBINAR: UTILIZING ADVANCED GOOGLE SEARCHES costs $79 and is provided by the Hetherington Group. The webinar is attended via webex.com; you can check the website beforehand to see if it is accessible to you.
"Utilizing Advanced Google Searches: 60 minutes – Recorded February 21, 2019
The ability to uncover information on the Internet is the primary skill of an online investigator. The go-to resource for many is Google, yet not everyone knows how to utilize its full potential. This class expands your general knowledge of the search engine, making difficult searches more effective.
In this intermediate to advanced hands-on class, participants will learn how to maximize Google searches, as we cover the basics, the hacks, and extra Google resources to create proper search strategies and run advanced Internet searches. Participants will also learn the expert tools of this common search application to make difficult searches more effective. Upon completion of the course, field investigators will be able to
Hunt down deep web content
Conduct advanced search strategies on Google, Bing, and other search engines
Use algorithms for surface finds and open source results"
Maximizing the effective use of open source information is valuable to the law enforcement analyst.
"Utilizing Advanced Google Searches: 60 minutes – Recorded February 21, 2019
The ability to uncover information on the Internet is the primary skill of an online investigator. The go-to resource for many is Google, yet not everyone knows how to utilize its full potential. This class expands your general knowledge of the search engine, making difficult searches more effective.
In this intermediate to advanced hands-on class, participants will learn how to maximize Google searches, as we cover the basics, the hacks, and extra Google resources to create proper search strategies and run advanced Internet searches. Participants will also learn the expert tools of this common search application to make difficult searches more effective. Upon completion of the course, field investigators will be able to
Hunt down deep web content
Conduct advanced search strategies on Google, Bing, and other search engines
Use algorithms for surface finds and open source results"
Maximizing the effective use of open source information is valuable to the law enforcement analyst.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Mapping the Opioid Epidemic
Mapping the Opioid Epidemic: How Local Governments are Taking the Lead on a National Challenge. is an in-depth article available online, by Jeremiah Lindemann and Emma Coleman, published by New America. Law enforcement analysts dealing with this problem as part of their work duties definitely should read this.
"The Opioid Mapping Initiative began in October 2017, largely motivated and inspired by the work of the Police Data Initiative, which also encourages local governments to publicly release data. Both initiatives built themselves off a common understanding: Data can drive actionable results at the local level. Early practitioners in the OMI came to the work excited to learn more from others, and additional agencies have since joined to share their own approaches through the initiative’s monthly webcasts.
This report documents the efforts of the Opioid Mapping Initiative through its first year. On the following pages, case studies are included from a variety of the participating local governments: Northern Kentucky, which has amassed the most comprehensive database of opioid related data for a local area; the Tri-County area of Colorado, which developed heat maps to illustrate mortality, educating the public while considering individual privacy concerns; and Cook County, Ill., where staff were spending too much time answering public records requests for opioid data, so they created a real-time data dashboard to share information on opioid-related deaths.
The work from those in the Opioid Mapping Initiative is meant to provide a guide for others looking to engage with this topic. From those in local government looking for a place to start mapping opioid data, to those seeking to make a difference in their community, we hope this report will provide valuable insights and action items."
The opioid crisis strikes close to home to me; I lost a son eleven years ago to heroin. It is my dear wish that you can help save some lives.
"The Opioid Mapping Initiative began in October 2017, largely motivated and inspired by the work of the Police Data Initiative, which also encourages local governments to publicly release data. Both initiatives built themselves off a common understanding: Data can drive actionable results at the local level. Early practitioners in the OMI came to the work excited to learn more from others, and additional agencies have since joined to share their own approaches through the initiative’s monthly webcasts.
This report documents the efforts of the Opioid Mapping Initiative through its first year. On the following pages, case studies are included from a variety of the participating local governments: Northern Kentucky, which has amassed the most comprehensive database of opioid related data for a local area; the Tri-County area of Colorado, which developed heat maps to illustrate mortality, educating the public while considering individual privacy concerns; and Cook County, Ill., where staff were spending too much time answering public records requests for opioid data, so they created a real-time data dashboard to share information on opioid-related deaths.
The work from those in the Opioid Mapping Initiative is meant to provide a guide for others looking to engage with this topic. From those in local government looking for a place to start mapping opioid data, to those seeking to make a difference in their community, we hope this report will provide valuable insights and action items."
The opioid crisis strikes close to home to me; I lost a son eleven years ago to heroin. It is my dear wish that you can help save some lives.
Friday, March 1, 2019
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