Role of Geography in Profiling Predatory Criminals

Abstract

This research paper is aimed at assessing the role of geography in profiling predatory criminals. The approaches used by the investigation authorities are being improved to cope up with the changing scenarios of the law and order situation. One of such approach is the geographical based profiling of predatory criminals. This paper will highlight the impact of this technique on current crime situations. There has been a remarkable impact of geography in profiling criminals. The key aspects of the approach would be highlighted to have a clear understanding. Role of Geography in Profiling Predatory Criminals

Introduction

In this world, both good and bad people reside from the legal point of view. The good ones are those who obey the laws of their state and act accordingly. On the other hand, the bad ones are those who go against the rules and regulations that are set aside by the state. To cope up with such people, the justice system of a country is put in place. This system is responsible for dealing with the ones who are found to have done something against the law that is enforced.

A crime is defined as an activity that incorporates violation or breaking of law of the country and thus renders the governing authority to take convictional action. In different societies, crime is dealt in a different way. A criminal is the person who is responsible for the commitment of a crime. The judicial system of a country plays a pivotal role in the prevention of crimes by punishing the criminals in an appropriate manner (Felson & Boba, 2009).

There are a number of steps that need to be taken in order to bring a criminal to task. One of these steps is the criminal profiling. It is defined as the tool that is used by the investigating authorities in order to develop and predict accurately the profile of the criminal who is unknown, on the basis of investigative and criminal's behavioral information. It is aimed at combining the behavioral and investigative knowledge in a manner that makes it convenient to manipulate the characteristics of the criminal or the offender. This step is found to be of crucial importance in bringing the criminal or the offender to justice. It is so because usually the criminal is unknown and therefore there needs to be some mechanism that can help in tracing the unknown criminal so that he/she can be convicted. With the passage of time, criminal profiling has advanced with time. Use of latest sophisticated technology has proved to be very fruitful in tracing out unknown criminals, especially predatory criminals.

Geographic profiling of criminals is the type of criminal profiling that is based on the analysis of locations of a series or chain of crimes in order to determine the most likely area of residence of the offender. This technique makes use of both qualitative as well as quantitative methods to assist the authorities in creating an understanding of the relationship ...