This study aims to investigate the applications of geographic information system (GIS) in criminal justice agencies. GIS is a recently developed computer technology that is based on digital maps and data base systems. It can visually display multiple ...
This study aims to investigate the applications of geographic information system (GIS) in criminal justice agencies. GIS is a recently developed computer technology that is based on digital maps and data base systems. It can visually display multiple data in a geographic area and can help to analyse information for crime, offender, victim and justice agencies etc.. GIS is a powerful technology that enhance the ability of identifying the problem area, the analysis of criminal behavior, the allocation of resources and the evaluation of services. For these reasons, it helps to strengthen the effectiveness of criminal justice activities such as policing, correctional activities, victim support services etc.. But GIS is not disseminated widely yet in criminal justice agencies of Korea and the usage level is very low. To promote the use of GIS throughout the criminal justice community, this paper introduces principles, technical skills, softwares and the uses for criminal justice. And some technical and organizational issues for the improving of the use of GIS are examined as well. Those seem to be related the insufficiency of the computer network capacity, the inadequate user training program, the inappropriateness of basic maps, the difficulty of collecting useful data. Besides these, the operational and organizational changes following the technological changes wll be needed.