Issues with using police data to investigate offending: a research perspective

Article

Spence, R. and Crivatu, I 2025. Issues with using police data to investigate offending: a research perspective. Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles.
TypeArticle
TitleIssues with using police data to investigate offending: a research perspective
AuthorsSpence, R. and Crivatu, I
Abstract

Police data is an important source of information for researchers about investigations, suspects, and victims. However, crime records can be problematic to work with. Here we outline three key issues along with our approach. We discuss data quality, which reflects missing and misclassified values; inconsistency, which refers to the vague and at times different definitions provided; and granularity, which reflects the lack of detailed information included in the datasets. We recommend developing a robust strategy for working with missing data, triangulating across different sources, creating higher-order categories where necessary, and creating a detailed data governance plan before analysis begins.

Keywordspolice data; crime records; data quality; missing data
Sustainable Development Goals16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
Middlesex University ThemeHealth & Wellbeing
Research GroupCentre for Abuse and Trauma Studies (CATS)
PublisherSAGE Publications
JournalPolice Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles
ISSN0032-258X
Electronic1740-5599
Publication process dates
Accepted31 Dec 2024
Deposited07 Jan 2025
Output statusAccepted
Accepted author manuscript
File Access Level
Open
Supplemental file
File Access Level
Open
Copyright Statement

This paper is accepted for publication in the journal 'Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles' published by SAGE Publications.

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