Hunting the hunter: using GIS to locate a serial sexual predator in San Diego, CA
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Authors
Doran, Irene Elizabeth
Issue Date
2003
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Forensic sciences
Alternative Title
Abstract
Forensic evidence, such as fibers, and genetic material, has been increasingly used in the last century to identify offenders of sexual assault or provide exculpatory evidence. A critical turning point for solving these cases is locating the suspect in order to make the positive identification by matching evidence previously collected, analyzed, and identified. Locating the suspect in a stranger rape is an especially difficult task. A geographic information system (GIS) can add value to such an investigation. Commonly known as crime mapping in the law enforcement community, the GIS application has been used in policing for over ten years to support investigations. The purpose of this study is to explore the investigative application of crime mapping in the hunt for a sexual predator. The applications of geographic analysis and geographic profiling will be explored in a case study to attempt to identify the likely location to apprehend the offender.