Existing understanding of geographic profiling principles within UK policing

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the existing level of geographic understanding and the ability to integrate geographic considerations into investigations within the police (without prior training on geographic profiling) at two different levels of investigative experience, compared to professional geographic profilers. Three groups of investigative professionals - geographic profilers (geos), detective constables (DCs) and probationary police constables (PCs) - were given a simulation case that deals with a real series of potentially linked cases of arson. During these individual simulation interviews, qualitative data on participants’ verbal utterances and vocalised thought processes was recorded, then analysed and quantified. Both the quantity of investigative statements made as well as their content and quality were scrutinised. Quantitatively, the DC and geo groups were almost identical in terms of how many investigative considerations they made in relation to geographic and temporal (related to time of day, day of the week, etc.) aspects of a crime. However, qualitative analysis revealed a gap in the level of understanding of the importance of some geographic considerations between geos and the police. Overall, the research concludes that police investigators are a very fertile ground for receiving training on geographic profiling, as some of it is already naturally integrated into their investigations, and that increasing investigators’ understanding of geographic profiling could enhance their operational capabilities in the thousands of cases in which no expert geographic profiler is brought in to support them.