A framework for estimating crime location choice based on awareness space

Sophie Curtis-Ham; Wim Bernasco; Oleg N. Medvedev; Devon Polaschek

doi:10.1186/s40163-020-00132-7

journal article Open Access Nov 04, 2020

A framework for estimating crime location choice based on awareness space

Sophie Curtis-Ham

Wim Bernasco Oleg N. Medvedev Devon Polaschek

Crime Science Vol. 9 No. 1 · Springer Science and Business Media LLC

View at Publisher Save 10.1186/s40163-020-00132-7

Abstract

AbstractThis paper extends Crime Pattern Theory, proposing a theoretical framework which aims to explain how offenders’ previous routine activity locations influence their future offence locations. The framework draws on studies of individual level crime location choice and location choice in non-criminal contexts, to identify attributes of prior activities associated with the selection of the location for future crime. We group these attributes into two proposed mechanisms: reliability and relevance. Offenders are more likely to commit crime where they have reliable knowledge that is relevant to the particular crime. The perceived reliability of offenders’ knowledge about a potential crime location is affected by the frequency, recency and duration of their prior activities in that location. Relevance reflects knowledge of a potential crime location’s crime opportunities and is affected by the type of behaviour, type of location and timing of prior activities in that location. We apply the framework to generate testable hypotheses to guide future studies of crime location choice and suggest directions for further theoretical and empirical work. Understanding crime location choice using this framework could also help inform policing investigations and crime prevention strategies.

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Published: Nov 04, 2020
Vol/Issue: 9(1)
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Funding

University of Waikato Award: Doctoral Scholarship

Cite This Article

Sophie Curtis-Ham, Wim Bernasco, Oleg N. Medvedev, et al. (2020). A framework for estimating crime location choice based on awareness space. Crime Science, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40163-020-00132-7

A framework for estimating crime location choice based on awareness space

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