Abstract

It is now possible to predict the future when it comes to crime. In Data Mining and Predictive Analysis, Dr. Colleen McCue describes not only the possibilities for data mining to assist law enforcement professionals, but also provides real-world examples showing how data mining has identified crime trends, anticipated community hot-spots, and refined resource deployment decisions. In this book Dr. McCue describes her use of "off the shelf" software to graphically depict crime trends and to predict where future crimes are likely to occur. Armed with this data, law enforcement executives can develop "risk-based deployment strategies," that allow them to make informed and cost-efficient staffing decisions based on the likelihood of specific criminal activity.
Knowledge of advanced statistics is not a prerequisite for using Data Mining and Predictive Analysis. The book is a starting point for those thinking about using data mining in a law enforcement setting. It provides terminology, concepts, practical application of these concepts, and examples to highlight specific techniques and approaches in crime and intelligence analysis, which law enforcement and intelligence professionals can tailor to their own unique situation and responsibilities.
* Serves as a valuable reference tool for both the student and the law enforcement professional
* Contains practical information used in real-life law enforcement situations
* Approach is very user-friendly, conveying sophisticated analyses in practical terms
"Dr. Colleen McCue pairs an educational background in neuroscience and psychology with extensive experience in the fields of behavioral science, crime analysis and intelligence gathering to create Data Mining and Predictive Analysis , a must-read for all law enforcement professionals. Within the ever-growing fields of criminal justice and crime analysis, Dr. McCue combines all facets of the public safety community, effortlessly examining techniques in which law enforcement, analysts, and researchers are able to delve deeper through her accessible explanations of relative degrees of data quality, validity and reliability; all essential tools in this modern, technological era."
- Arthur E. Westveer (Associate Professor, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University)
"[Data Mining and Predictive Analysis] is a must-read..., blending analytical horsepower with real-life operational examples. Operators owe it to themselves to dig in and make tactical decisions more efficiently, and learn the language that sells good tactics to leadership. Analysts, intell support, and leaders owe it to themselves to learn a new way to attack the problem in support of law enforcement, security, and intelligence operations. Not just a dilettante academic, Dr. McCue is passionate about getting the best tactical solution in the most efficient way—and she uses data mining to do it. Understandable yet detailed, [Data Mining and Predictive Analysis] puts forth a solid argument for integrating predictive analytics into action. Not just for analysts!"
- Tim King (Director, Special Programs and Global Business Development, ArmorGroup International Training)
"Dr. McCue's clear and brilliant guide to attacking society's greatest threats reveals how to best combine the powers of statistical computation and the experience of domain experts. Her emphasis on understanding the essential data through fieldwork and close partnership with the end users of the information is vital to making the discovered patterns "actionable". Anyone seeking to harness the power of data mining to "connect the dots" or "find needles in a haystack" will benefit from this lively and reliable book packed with practical techniques proven effective on tough real-world problems."
- Dr. John Elder (Chief Scientist of Elder Research, Inc., www.datamininglab.com)