Chainey, S; (2019) Technical note: Introducing geographic profiling crime analysis in Mexico: principles of geographic profiling, examples of its use, training and challenges in its implementation. UCL Department of Security and Crime Science and Inter-American Development Bank: London, UK.

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Abstract

Geographic profiling is an investigative method that uses the locations of connected group or series of crimes to determine the most probable area of offender residence, or some other location (e.g., place of work) from which offender anchors their activities. Geographic profiling can help investigators to better understand offending behaviour, and from this help identify the offender (or suspects), or determine where to target an investigate strategy. Geographic profiling has been applied to a wide range of crime types including murder, rape, assaults, robbery, vehicle theft, fuel theft, metal theft, kidnapping and abductions, and criminal damage. To introduce skills in geographic profiling in Mexico, a certified geographic profiling analysis program was introduced in 2018, with 12 analysts from federal police and security agencies attending. The two-week course included exams and practical exercises, and was followed by a four-month period within which analysts were required to complete an operational report to achieve full certification. Due to changes in the government in Mexico over this time that affected the employment of those who completed the two-week training, only two analysts completed the full certified operational program by completing operational reports. Although, the current level of skills in geographic profiling in the federal police and security agencies is still very low, the training program and the operational reports that were completed have shown the potential in how geographic profiling can be used to assist criminal investigation in Mexico. Of note is that the analysts who attended the course have gone on to use the skills they acquired to analyze where missing people have disappeared to, to help target the deployment of highway patrols for reducing cargo thefts, and inspire a new research theme that is examining how geographic profiling can be used for generating geographic intelligence about organised crime groups that can help in their detection, disruption and the deterrence of their criminal activity.

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