Crime and Intelligence Analysis

Curriculum guideline

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Course
CRIM 3390
Discontinued
No
Course code
CRIM 3390
Descriptive
Crime and Intelligence Analysis
Department
Criminology
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
202010
PLAR
No
Semester length
15
Max class size
25
Contact hours
Lecture/Lab: 4hrs. per week / semester
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning activities

The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following: lectures, computer labs as well as practical exercises, and may include guest speakers, audio-visual presentations, debates, and group projects/presentations by students.

Course description
This course introduces students to the types of crime and intelligence analysis, and the roles played by analysts themselves. Students will also learn the fundamentals of crime analysis, core competencies, models of intelligence and logic; as well as, preparing and presenting intelligence end-products. Students are introduced to data-mining and visual investigative systems, as well as crime analysis and mapping software for criminal justice purposes.
Course content
  1. The role of the crime and intelligence analyst in operational policing and public safety.
  2. Transforming raw data into actionable intelligence end-product for criminal justice purposes.
  3. Role of the crime analyst in addressing the following areas:
    • preventing crime at problem places;
    • controlling high-activity offenders;
    • protecting repeat victims;
    • facilitating crime reduction strategies and models; and
    • addressing displacement.
  4.  Role of the criminal intelligence analyst in addressing the following areas:
    • applying models in intelligence analysis;
    • leveraging information sharing systems
    • ensuring data integrity and analyzing evidence;
    • mining data and recognizing criminal patterns; and
    • displaying quantitative information.
Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:

  1. Describe the history of intelligence and its analytical function
  2. Explain the difference between crime analysis, criminal intelligence analysis, and competitive analysis
  3. Explain the relationship between crime analysis and intelligence analysis in the public safety domain
  4. Identify the role of analysis in addressing local, national, and trans-national crime
  5. Apply the intelligence cycle to the work of crime and intelligence analysis
  6. Explain the relevance and application of information systems to crime and intelligence analysis
  7. Articulate the relevance of a variety of policing models (e.g. traditional, community-based, intelligence-led, and problem-oriented)
  8. Comprehend current issues associated with crime and intelligence analysis (e.g. resistance to change and changing paradigms)
  9. Utilize computer software for statistical and geographic analysis of crime patterns
  10. Analyze and interpret crime patterns by synthesizing and applying all theoretical and practical knowledge gained in the course

 

Means of assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. Evaluation will be based on the course objectives. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.

Mid-term  20%
Mini-Labs (4)  20%
Final Project  20%
Final Quiz  10%
Final Exam  30%
Total 100%
Textbook materials

  • Boba, Rachel. Crime Analysis with Crime Mapping. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. (second edition), 2008.
  • Westphal, Christopher. Data Mining for Intelligence, Fraud & Criminal Detection: Advanced Analytics & Information Sharing Technologies. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press (Taylor Francis Group), 2009.
  • Heuer, Richard J. Psychology of Intelligence Analysis. New York, NY: Novinka Books, 2006.

Prerequisites

15 credits of Criminology courses including CRIM 1100