Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.

For each article, write a sentence outlining one of the arguments the author makes. There will be more than one argument in the article, but choose one that you think is most relevant to crime analysis in general and/or the corresponding chapter.  After the sentence, briefly describe the author’s argument and then cite the evidence the author puts forth to support the argument.  Note that an argument is not a statement of fact but is a line of reasoning asserted by the author that is supported by theory, research results, or both.

Article: Lockwood, D. (2007). Mapping crime in Savannah: Social disadvantage, land use, and violent crimes reported to the police. Social Science Computer Review, 25, 2, 194–209.

Critical thinking questions:

1. Critique the use of the maps on 201 and 202 for presenting research results. 
2. Make suggestions for improvements in terms of visualizing the information with a map of Savannah.

Article:Ratcliffe, J.H. (2006). A temporal constraint theory to explain opportunity-based spatial offending patterns. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 43, 3, 261-291.

Critical thinking questions:

1. What are the main findings of this article that are important to the working crime analyst? 
2. In what way would this information help a crime analyst examine a problem?
3. In what way would this information help a crime analyst develop crime prevention response recommendations?

Youstin, T.J., Nobles, M.R., Ward, J.T., & Cook, C.L. (2011). Assessing the generalizability of the near repeat phenomenon. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 38, 10, 1042-1063.

Critical thinking questions:

1. How do you think the findings of this study would help a crime analyst who is trying to understand a local residential theft from vehicle problem in their city?   
2. What additional data collection and analysis might a crime analyst do to understand the nature of the problem?

Braga, A.A., McDevitt, J. & Pierce, G.L. (2006). Understanding and preventing gang violence: Problem analysis and response development in Lowell, Massachusetts. Police Quarterly, 9, 1, 20-46.

Critical thinking questions:

1. Use the results from the article, try to answer the following questions from Chapters 13 and 14:
   
   1. What Is the Nature of the Problem?
   2. How Frequently Is the Problem Occurring?
   3. Has the Problem Increased or Decreased?
   4. When Is the Problem Happening?
   5. Where Is the Problem Occurring?
   6. Who Are the Victims and Does Repeat Victimization Exist?
   7. Who Are the Offenders and Does Repeat Offending Exist?
   8. Why Is the Problem Occurring?
2. Are you able to answer all the questions from the information discussed in the article? If not, which questions were not answered?  How would you use additional data and analysis to answer the questions they did not?