Crime analysts examine incidents in an effort to identify crime patterns or to link different crimes to a certain offender. A crime analyst’s job is very similar to a detective’s and during this term, you will have the opportunity to act as a crime analyst. An analyst doesn’t conduct interviews like a detective, but they do work very closely with law enforcement and investigators as data interpreters.
The role of the crime analyst is very important in an investigation. Investigators often bring the analyst information that they do not know how to decipher with the confidence that the analyst will get the job done. For many analysts this is a turning point in their career – when someone comes straight to them for the answer.
In this course, you will receive an overview of crime analysis as well as an introduction to the basic vocabulary an analyst will encounter during the course of their duties. You will learn about the three types of analysis (tactical, strategic and administrative) and how to navigate your way around the SARA model of analysis. It is very hard to have one concrete definition of “crime analysis” because most agencies use their analysts for more than one role.
Tactical analysis focuses on immediate crime problems. A tactical analyst will identify a crime series and then produce a series profile in an effort to aid investigative direction and resources.
Strategic analysis focuses on long-term crime problems and strategies to assist in the successful investigation and resolution of those problems.
The Fundamentals of Crime Analysis helps students to develop the ability to outline the functions of a crime analyst, trace the evolution of crime analysis as a profession and define basic terms associated with crime analysis. You will also be able to explain the distinctions between tactical, strategic and administrative analysis, and summarize the steps involved in the SARA model of crime analysis.