NCJ Number
220553
Journal
International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: Autumn 2007 Pages: 287-298
Date Published
2007
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined the impact on the detection and reduction of domestic burglary by a prioritization of forensic resources and processing over a 6-month study period.
Abstract
By focusing all parts of the forensic process on domestic burglary, it was shown that it is possible to increase the number of primary detections derived from DNA and fingerprints with the DNA increase being statistically significant. The increase was accompanied by a decrease in reported domestic burglaries. A key element of the study’s success was the inclusion of all parts of the forensic process and the setting and monitoring of targets for each stage in the process. The study demonstrates an approach to applying a ‘quick hit’ to burglary or other volume crime types where DNA and fingerprints can make a significant contribution to crime detection. The results illustrate how a police force may run a focused forensic initiative to provide a short-term prioritization on a problem crime type such as burglary or auto crime where DNA and fingerprints can make a significant contribution to crime detection. The importance of forensic intelligence (fingerprint identification and DNA hits) as a standard forensic technique for the investigation and detection of a wide spectrum of crime types is well established today. However, there is wide variation in the prioritization of forensic resources and processing in domestic burglary. The stated aim of this study was to establish whether a significant increase in the overall detection and reduction of domestic burglary could be achieved. It tested whether the twin factors of increased attendance at crime scenes and increased timeliness of processing produce the improvement in crime detection and reduction in domestic burglary. Figures, references