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Simulating Crimes and Crime Patterns Using Cellular Automata and GIS

Liang, Jun
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin998053177

Abstract Details

2001, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences : Geography.
The goal of this research is to simulate crime and crime pattern using cellular automata in a GIS environment. A crime occurs when a target has been attacked by an offender (or a group of offenders). Both target and offender have been studied extensively in criminology literature. However, interactions between them are rarely addressed due to their complexity. We have developed the concept of tension to link the activities of offenders and targets. Tension represents the impact of crimes on targets, including the reaction of targets to crimes. In this study, we applied cellular automata (CA) to simulate the diffusion of tension in space and time. Tension is modeled as the state variable in cellular automata. Other variables in the model are associated with tension either directly or indirectly. Individual offenders movements are simulated using Monte Carlo Simulation. This study focuses on one type of crime robbery of commercial properties. The simulation process runs through many iterations, each generating some individual crimes. The accumulation of individual crimes reveals crime patterns in space and time.The CA crime pattern simulation model is loosely coupled with Arcview GIS. Crime simulation model has been coded with C++, and it can be executed from an Avenue scrip inside Arcview. Arcview also serves the user interface of the model. The functions of the interface include configuration of a simulation, loading the simulation execution program, and analysis of the simulation output. We have tested the model in different scenarios. The result of these test runs helps uncover the impact of offenders and targets on each other. It also helps us understand how the impact is related to the spatial distribution of targets and offenders. Furthermore, it provides a viable solution to study the complex process of crime pattern generation, and enables criminologists to test their theories.
Lin Liu (Advisor)
CELLULAR AUTOMATA; SPATIAL SIMULATION; GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS; OBJECT ORIENTED DESIGN; CRIME SIMULATION

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Liang, J. (2001). Simulating Crimes and Crime Patterns Using Cellular Automata and GIS [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin998053177

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Liang, Jun. Simulating Crimes and Crime Patterns Using Cellular Automata and GIS. 2001. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin998053177.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Liang, Jun. "Simulating Crimes and Crime Patterns Using Cellular Automata and GIS." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2001. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin998053177

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin998053177
1,708
© 2001, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.