Predictive Policing: The Role of Crime Forecasting in Law Enforcement Operations
Abstract
Predictive policing is the use of analytical techniques to identify targets for police intervention with the goal of preventing crime, solving past crimes, or identifying potential offenders and victims. These tools are not a substitute for integrated approaches to policing, nor are they a crystal ball. This guide assesses some of the most promising technical tools and tactical approaches for acting on predictions in an effective way.
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Sometimes the police use AI systems for predictive policing: automated predictions about who will commit crime, or when and where crime will occur.
“Sometimes the police use AI systems for predictive policing: automated predictions about who will commit crime, or when and where crime will occur.”
From Discrimination, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic decision-making (2025) · cites this paper as Perry et al 2013
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Self-citationA review of predictive policing from the perspective of fairness
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“As Perry et al. (2013) point out, the theoretical foundations allowing for crime prediction are ably supported by routine activity theory (Cohen and Felson 1979), the rational choice perspective (Cor-nish and Clarke 1986), and crime pattern theory (Brantingham and Brantingham…”
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How to Cope with Change? - Preserving Validity of Predictive Services over Time
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- Authors
- Perry, W., McInnis, B., Price, C., Smith, S., & Hollywood, J.
- Venue
- RAND Corporation eBooks
- Publisher
- RAND Corporation
- Published
- 2013
- OpenAlex
- W2791059564
- Cited by
- 693
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 45 · 2025: 58 · 2024: 43 · 2023: 88 · 2022: 68 · 2021: 71 · 2020: 87 · 2019: 75 · 2018: 51 · 2017: 40 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 34.28
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- RAND Corporation eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Policing Practices and Perceptions
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Law › Criminal Justice and Penology
- Keywords
- predictive policing, crime prediction, police operations, crime prevention, offender identification, victim identification
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