Compare and contrast computerised crime mapping with traditional pin maps Computerised crime mapping and traditional

pin maps share a similarity and yet are different. The similarity is that both methods have the ability to visually display crime data, but both methods use different display techniques and possess different limitations. Crime mapping initially made use of pin maps to convey crime information. August Vollmer (1876-1955), father of American policing (A history of crime analysis, n.d., p. 2) used coloured pins to locate crime incidents. This practice did not support storage or saving of crime patterns for subsequent referral or comparison; was not conducive to transportation among the various offices; and fell short of providing correct and dependable data (Johnson, 2000, p. 1). Though, pin maps were simple and low cost to create and maintain, and not orientation restricted. Computerised crime mapping has taken over from the traditional mapping method in the last two decades by using Geographical Information System (GIS) (Harries, 1999, From pins to computers, para. 3). A GIS environment offers tools to display, analyse, edit, query, enhance, manipulate, manage, store and report crime data to enable more efficient and effective use thereof. The digital output format enables the information to be easily distributed and simultaneously accessed locally or remotely, or via Internet and/or Intranet. Furthermore, each location has associated attribute data stored in its table to provide extra information (Crime Mapping Laboratory, 2000, p. 5). GIS uses geographically referenced layers to build a landscape, for example, the spatial views may consist of neighbourhood households, streets, rivers and/or park theme layers as opposed to the pin map with one layer showing multiple, often cluttered features. GIS also offers spatial analytical techniques to investigate trends and relationships of crime patterns (Chainey & Ratcliffe, 2005, p. 178), and forecasting facilities which were not possible using static pin mapping. For example, it is possible to predict unlawful activities which will assist crime prevention efforts as part of strategic planning (Chainey & Ratcliffe, 2005, p. 272). Computerised crime mapping is not without limitations. This method of mapping is more expensive than pin mapping, using computer software and hardware. In addition, the normal practice is to present the maps with orientation towards north which may not always be convenient (Chainey & Ratcliffe, 2005, p. 358); crime data must be geocoded correctly to avoid accumulated errors and subsequent analysis inaccuracies (Chainey & Ratcliffe, 2005, p. 355); satisfactory security measures must be enabled as the data and information are more widely accessible (Chainey & Ratcliffe, 2005, p. 207); organisational coordination must be adequate (Chainey & Ratcliffe, 2005, p. 202); and policing personnel, who use the GIS software, must be properly qualified. Crime has been mapped for many decades, though the technique of using pin maps has given way to utilising todays advances in computer technology. The premise of the two methods is similar and both display limitations, yet computerised crime mapping increases productivity of law enforcement agencies.

References A history of crime analysis. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.macrimeanalysts.com/articles/historyofcrimeanalysis.pdf Chainey, S., & Ratcliffe, J. (2005). GIS and Crime Mapping. England: John Wiley & Sons. Crime Mapping Laboratory. (2000). Geocoding in Law. Enforcement: Final Report. COPS Publication. US Department of Justice, pp. 1-17. Harries, K. (1999). Mapping Crime: Principle and Practice. Retrieved November 17, 2011 from https://www.ncjrs.gov/html/nij/mapping/ch1_1.html Johnson, C. P. (2000). Crime Mapping and Analysis Using GIS. Retrieved from www.cdac.in/html/pdf/geom4.pdf