Crime Analysis with Crime Mapping
Web Exercises
Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.
Exercise 1
www.gislounge.com/geodatabases-explored-vector-and-raster-data/
Review this article. In your own words, provide definitions for each vector and raster data. Then, using your preferred internet search engine, identify 3 map examples of each type of data. The maps you select must have a “crime” component / angle / theme and you must interpret the map, explaining the value of presenting the data in either vector/raster format.
Exercise 2
www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/cartocom/elements.html
Using information from the textbook and supplemental information from this website, discuss the elements found on most maps. Using your preferred search engine and locate a map that contains most/all of the necessary elements. Then, choose two of the most critical elements (e.g. “north arrow” and “scale”) and discuss the problems that would be presented if they were absent from the map you selected. Be very specific in detailing erroneous conclusions that might be drawn.
Exercise 3
https://cops.usdoj.gov/html/cd_rom/tech_docs/pubs/WhatIsCrimeMappingBriefingBook.pdf
This resource provides ten (10) different types of descriptive crime maps within the article, along with a good introduction (though dated) to crime mapping. Taking the maps in order, determine the type of map (e.g. single-symbol, graduated symbol, chart mapping, etc.) and articulate in detail how you determined your choice. Finally, choose two (2) of the maps that you believe could have been better displayed using a different type of map (for instance, a single-symbol map that might have been better displayed using chart mapping), describe the type of map you would have selected and article a justification.