University of Technology Sydney

98001 Crime Data: Analysis and Interpretation

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: International Studies: International Studies and Global Societies
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 98000 Introduction to Criminology

Description

This subject develops students’ understanding, use and application of crime data. The subject begins by contextualising what crime data is, its sources, purpose and function before moving on to examine how such data is used in practice, including the strategic and tactical value of crime data. Covering issues of policing, crime prevention, crime reduction and crime mapping, students gain insight, knowledge and skills in analysis and interpretation.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a. Explain concepts, theories, and historical and contemporary perspectives of crime data and their analysis and interpretation
b. Manage, analyse, evaluate and communicate data and information relevant to crime, their patterns and trends
c. Manage, analyse, evaluate and communicate data and information relevant to those who are affected by crimes, including offenders
d. Critically examine appropriate action for crime prevention, disruption and reduction with regards to policy and practice
e. Communicate and act professionally in all communications and conduct with others, and through the presentation of assignments

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (INT = International Studies CILOs):

  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system and existing and emerging threats to justice, public safety and property (1.1)
  • Apply and evaluate methodologies, technologies and practices relevant to contemporary criminology for policy formulation, risk analysis and stakeholder cooperation (1.2)
  • Employ skills in critical analysis, problem solving, data literacy to analyse and respond to criminal justice and social policy challenges within organisations, communities and systems of governance (2.1)
  • Examine the impact of historical and contemporary legal and criminal justice policies and practices upon Indigenous peoples and communities (4.1)
  • Develop professional capabilities and practices to work effectively with and for Indigenous peoples across the legal and criminal justice system (4.2)
  • Convey complex concepts clearly, logically and effectively in written and oral forms to a variety of audiences (6.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

Learning opportunities in this subject utilise recorded lectures and explanations to be reviewed as preparation for interactive and practical weekly sessions where students discuss and analyse current and contemporary issues. Students are expected to complete all preparation activities – typically active watching of video resources, reading, and various line learning activities - prior to attending their face-to-face class session. Formative online activities (discussions, unmarked quizzes, polls) allow students to track their progress and improve their comprehension of the material and their study skills.

Throughout the subject students develop a broad skillset such as information finding and gathering, critical thinking and analysis, along with developing their written and oral communication skills, that are useful in preparing future practitioners in criminological careers. Assessments contribute to the development of these capacities and deepen knowledge of the subject content.

An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills to succeed at university and in the workplace. During the course of this subject, you will complete a milestone assessment task that will, in addition to assessing your subject-specific learning objectives, assess your English language proficiency.

Content (topics)

This subject is split into three themes: theme 1 – Foundations of crime data & analysis and be covered in weeks 1 to 3. The learning in weeks 4 to 8 will address theme 2 – Crime data & analysis in practice and theme 3 – Strategic and Tactical Application will be covered in weeks 9 to 11. In this subject, students develop an understanding of what crime data is and how it is sourced. The various methods of counting and collating crime data and how it impacts on social and cultural outcomes is considered in this subject alongside policy and practice-based outcomes. Students will become familiar with the many facets crime data plays informing criminal justice research, policy and practice, including exploring how crime might be expected to continue, increase, or decrease into the future and how such forecasts might be used to promulgate crime prevention or detection measures, or re-allocate public protection resources to reduce the impact of crime (and ‘fear of crime’) in society. Consideration will also be given to the limitations and dangers of incorporating ‘performance management’ into criminal justice institutions due to excessive emphasis on performance indicators. Students will learn the practical skills of data analysis, interpretation and presentation using real crime statistics and datasets and develop essential competencies in evaluation and data literacy. Students will learn to connect data with the real-world phenomena they represent and grapple with the implications of how data is used in the context of crime and criminology.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Crime Data: Analysis & Interpretation Essay

Objective(s):

a, b, c and e

Weight: 30%
Length:

1250 words (References excluded)
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Relevance, depth and accuracy of response 30 a, b 1.1
Coherence and comprehensiveness of understanding of crime data, analysis and interpretation 55 a, b, c 2.1
Clarity and attractiveness of written assessment 10 e 6.1
Accuracy and completeness of referencing 5 e 6.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Community Profile: Examining Indigenous Australians offending and victimisation

Intent:

This assignment involves a detailed analysis of crime data related to Indigenous Australians. Students are required to interpret this data within the broader socio-economic context of Indigenous communities in Australia. The assignment should examine both offending and victimisation data over the last 3 years (2021, 2022 and 2023) in order to present analysis of contemporary patterns and trends. This is a secondary data analysis assessment with publicly available data being the only source of data to be used.
Objective(s):

a, b, c, d and e

Weight: 30%
Length:

1250 words (References excluded)

Criteria:

• Understanding and Interpretation of Data: Accuracy in data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Contextual Insight: Depth of insight of historical, socio-economic, offender and victimisation data.
• Presentation and Structure: Clarity, coherence, and organisation of the assignment.
• Referencing: Correct and consistent use of APA referencing style.
Submission Guidelines:
• Length: 1,250 words (excluding references)
• Format: Presented in report format, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Comprehensiveness of written account 40 a, b 4.1
Depth and relevance of supporting research and evidence 25 a, c 4.2
Degree of insight into issues and context 25 d 2.1
Accuracy and completeness of referencing 10 e 6.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Crime Analysis Report

Objective(s):

a, b, c, d and e

Weight: 40%
Length:

1750 words (plus visuals. References excluded)

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Depth and relevance of research and evidence 30 a, b, d 2.1
Depth and accuracy of analysis of all elements of the crime event. 30 b, c, d 1.1
Degree of insight into institutional response(s) 30 d 1.2
Clarity and presentation of written report and visual aids 10 e 6.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Students who do not complete the OPELA task or who are assigned to language development tutorials may be awared a X Fail grade.

Recommended texts

There is no key text for this subject. Weekly key readings will be made available to students via the module folder in canvas.

References

Albahli, S., Alsaqabi, A., Aldhubayi, F., Rauf, H. T., Arif, M., & Mohammed, M. A. (2021). Predicting the type of crime: Intelligence gathering and crime analysis. Computers, Materials & Continua, 66(3), 2317-2341.

Belur, J., & Johnson, S. (2018). Is crime analysis at the heart of policing practice? A case study. Policing and society, 28(7), 768-786.

Birch, P., Kennedy, M., & Kruger, E. (Eds.). (2020). Australian Policing: Critical Issues in 21st Century Police Practice. Routledge.

Bland, M., Barak, A. and Ridgeon, N. (2022). The Crime Analyst’s Companion. Springer Nature.

Book, E. (2021). CPTED turns 50: A review of the principles of crime prevention through environmental design. Campus Security Report, 18(5), 1-5.

Bruinsma, G., & Johnson, S. D. (Eds.). (2018). The Oxford handbook of environmental criminology. Oxford University Press.

Butorac, K., & Marinovi?, J. (2017). Geography of crime and geographic information systems. Journal of Forensic Sciences & Criminal Investigation, 2(4), 1-7.

Canter, D. V. (2010). Offender profiling. Cambridge University Press.

Canter, D., & Youngs, D. (2017). Principles of geographical offender profiling. Routledge.

Chainey, S., & Ratcliffe, J. (2013). GIS and crime mapping. John Wiley & Sons.

Rossy, Q., Décary-Hétu, D., Delémont, O., & Mulone, M. (Eds.) (2017). The Routledge international handbook of forensic intelligence and criminology. Routledge.

Fox, B., & Farrington, D. P. (2018). What have we learned from offender profiling? A systematic review and meta-analysis of 40 years of research. Psychological Bulletin, 144(12), 1247-1274.

Hart, T. C. (2021). Investigating crime pattern stability at micro-temporal intervals: implications for crime analysis and hotspot policing strategies. Criminal justice review, 46(2), 173-189.

Hart, T. C., Lersch, K., & Chataway, M. (2020). Space, Time, and Crime (No. 5th). Carolina Academic Press.

Jefferson, B. J. (2018). Predictable policing: Predictive crime mapping and geographies of policing and race. Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 108(1), 1-16.

Lohr, S. (2019). Measuring crime: Behind the statistics. Chapman and Hall/CRC.

Meier, R., Kennedy, L., & Sacco, V. (2018). The process and structure of crime: Criminal events and crime analysis. Routledge.

Mitchell, R., & Huey, L. (Eds.). (2018). Evidence based policing: An introduction. Policy Press.

Osborne, D., & Wernicke, S. (2013). Introduction to crime analysis: Basic resources for criminal justice practice. Routledge.

Petherick, W. A. (2014). Applied crime analysis: A social science approach to understanding crime, criminals, and victims. Elsevier.

Santos, R. B. (2014). The effectiveness of crime analysis for crime reduction: Cure or diagnosis? Journal of contemporary criminal justice, 30(2), 147-168.

Taniguchi, T. A., & Gill, C. (2019). The mobilization of computerized crime mapping: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 15(2), 213-225.

Tilley, N., & Sidebottom, A. (Eds.). (2017). Handbook of crime prevention and community safety (2nd Edition). Routledge

Walker, J. T., & Maddan, S. (2019). Statistics in criminology and criminal justice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Wartell, J., & Gallagher, K. (2012). Translating environmental criminology theory into crime analysis practice. Policing: a journal of policy and practice, 6(4), 377-387.

Wheeler, A. P., & Steenbeek, W. (2021). Mapping the risk terrain for crime using machine learning. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 37(2), 445-480.

Winter, H. (2019). The economics of crime: an introduction to rational crime analysis. Routledge.

Wortley, R., & Townsley, M. (2017). Environmental criminology and crime analysis. Routledge.

Zahra, S. A. (2018). Crime Mapping in GIS By Using Hotspot. Sukkur IBA Journal of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, 2(1), 13-19.

Key Journals

  • Journal of Experimental Criminology
  • Crime Science
  • The Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology
  • Journal of Quantitative Criminology
  • International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology
  • Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling
  • Criminology & Public Policy
  • British Journal of Criminology
  • Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology
  • European Journal of Criminology
  • Asian Journal of Criminology
  • Current issues in Criminal Justice
  • Journal of Criminological Research, Policy & Practice
  • Journal of Forensic Practice
  • International Journal of Law & Psychiatry
  • Policing
  • Policing: An International Journal
  • Policing & Society
  • Police Practice & Research
  • Journal of Police & Criminal Psychology

Key Resources

The following provide good quality information and research resources

  • https://www.aic.gov.au/ - Australian Institute of Criminology
  • www.afp.gov.au/afp - Australian Federal Police
  • https://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/ - NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research
  • www.police.nsw.gov.au – NSW Police Service
  • www.homeoffice.gov.uk – UK Home Office website
  • http://www.austlii.edu.au/ - Australasian Legal Information Institute
  • https://www.abs.gov.au/ - Australian Bureau of Statistics
  • http://www.cyber.gov.au - Australian Cyber Security Centre
  • https://esafety.gov.au - Australian Government, Office of the e-Safety Commissioner