Crime Analysis & Intelligence Gathering Flashcards

Which crime analysis technique overlays crime incident locations onto a map to reveal geographic concentrations?

Answer: Hot spot mapping

Hot spot mapping uses spatial data to identify geographic concentrations of crime incidents for targeted patrol deployment.

What is the primary distinction between tactical intelligence and strategic intelligence in law enforcement?

Answer: Tactical intelligence supports specific ongoing operations; strategic informs long-range planning

Tactical intelligence is action-oriented for current operations, while strategic intelligence informs organizational policy and long-term planning.

Under LEIN protocols, when an officer queries a vehicle and receives a 'stolen' return, what is the FIRST required action?

Answer: Verify the hit through the originating agency before acting

All stolen vehicle hits must be confirmed with the originating agency to prevent errors before any enforcement action is taken.

Which method is used in crime analysis to determine whether a series of crimes were likely committed by the same offender?

Answer: MO (modus operandi) analysis

Modus operandi analysis examines similarities in method, target selection, and behavior across incidents to link crimes to a common offender.

A LEIN operator notices a query pattern suggesting an officer is running plates on individuals without apparent law enforcement purpose. This is called:

Answer: Unauthorized use or misuse of LEIN

Running queries without a legitimate law enforcement purpose constitutes unauthorized LEIN use and is subject to disciplinary and criminal sanctions.

In the intelligence cycle, what step immediately follows collection of raw data?

Answer: Processing and analysis

After raw data is collected, it must be processed and analyzed to convert it into actionable intelligence.

Which of the following best describes a 'fusion center' in the context of LEIN and intelligence sharing?

Answer: A centralized hub that integrates information from multiple agencies to support threat analysis

Fusion centers are state or regional entities that aggregate and analyze information from local, state, and federal sources to enhance situational awareness.