Date of Award
12-1-2024
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Criminology and Criminal Justice
First Advisor
Hibdon, Julie
Abstract
This scoping review delves into the breadth and depth of geographic profiling research, a technique rooted in criminology and forensic psychology for assisting law enforcement in identifying likely locations of criminal offenders. Stemming from principles of environmental criminology and spatial analysis, geographic profiling has garnered scholarly attention due to its potential in enhancing investigative strategies and aiding in criminal apprehension. The following review addresses whether geographic profiling research has experienced increased growth since its formalization in the late 1990’s to now by evaluating the characteristics of articles related to publishing (i.e., publishing rate over time, types of journals, and concentration of publishing between authors) while also evaluating the commonalities and broader narratives within the content published. This evaluation revealed geographic profiling as a relatively small scientific field attempting to gain traction in the realm of application and implementation amongst policing agencies. Furthermore, trends of methodological refinement, application hurdles, and future research recommendations are discussed within. Overall, this review underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and methodological rigor to address challenges and propel geographic profiling research forward.
Access
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