Free Software Tool Can "PROVE" Value of Data Mining

• NCJ Number: 250514
• Journal: Techbeat Dated: November/December 2016 Pages: 3-5
• Author(s): Becky Lewis
• Date Published: December 2016
• Length: 3 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2014-IJ-CX-K004
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical); Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Award: This submission is to operate a National Criminal Justice Technology Information Resource Center (NCJ-TIRC) within the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) System.

Annotation

This article describes the features of a new free software that enables mining of tracking data on repeat crime patterns.

Abstract

"The Prediction of Repeat Offending and Victimization in the Environment," better known as PROVE, is capable of predicting future crime-risk potential, producing both a visual and a statistical report that agencies can use to inform their crime prediction efforts. If an agency has crime data, it can use PROVE to access maps that show the location of repeat crime patterns. Any agency that has crime data in an electronic form can use PROVE. It does not require any proprietary software. The most difficult task in using PROVE may be setting up the prime data in the required format, but the program's manual provides detailed instructions on how to do this. Larger departments with full-time GIS analysts on staff may choose to explore more advanced options, but even small departments can download, install, and begin using PROVE immediately.