Information Systems

I. Introduction

With the growing number of automated investigative support systems in police departments, a tempting assumption would be that those with automated systems are better equipped to face the investigative challenge that certain types of homicides present. Preliminary survey data, however, suggest otherwise. This paper provides a preliminary review of the correlations between departments with and without automated systems and their respective UCR (Uniform Crime Reports) clearance rates. It also summarizes the prominent homicide investigation technology issues throughout the country, with particular emphasis on the role and effectiveness of automated information systems in improving UCR homicide clearance rates. In an earlier survey, respondents indicated that homicide clearance rates either decreased or remained constant while overall homicides decreased (PERF, 1994). Why some departments’ clearance rates decreased and others’ remained consistent, even though homicides actually decreased, deserves further exploration. The two main factors this paper examines are the homicide types and the analytical tools used to solve them. By analyzing...