Forensic GIS : The Role of Geospatial Technologies for Investigating Crime and Providing Evidence

A variety of disciplines and professions have embraced geospatial technologies for collecting, storing, manipulating, analyzing and displaying spatial data to investigate crime, prosecute and convict offenders, exonerate suspects and submit evidence in civil lawsuits. The applications, acceptability and relevance and procedural legality of each geospatial technologies vary. The purpose of this book is to explain the nature of geospatial technologies, demonstrate a variety of geospatial applications used to investigate and litigate civil and criminal activities and to provide a reference of current acceptability of geospatial technology in the production of evidence. This book is an introductory overview designed to appeal to researchers and practitioners across disciplinary boundaries. The authors of this book are researchers and practitioners across disciplines and professions, experts in the field.

Prof. Gregory A. Elmes is professor of Geography at the West Virginia University since 1994 and co-director of the West Virginia State GIS Technical Center since 1995. He has more than 30 years of experience in Geographical Information Systems and how to apply GIS techniques to societal issues (public health, industries, archeology, public safety, forensic…). He supervised many master and PhD students and is a very active scientist in the field.

George W. Roedl is PhD candidate at the West Virginia University and is specialized in Geographic Information Systems/Science, remote sensing, computer cartography. He has additional expertise in the role and application of geospatial technologies to disaster management and forensic analysis/investigation, including the legal aspects of geospatial technologies within the modern courtroom. He won more than 10 awards for his various researches and papers and is very active in the field (teaching, committees, publications).

Prof. Jamison F. Conley is assistant Professor of Geography at the West Virginia University. He is an international expert on statistics, algorithms and techniques for the analysis of spatial data. One of his interesting projects is spatial analysis of crime events, community surveys and physical neighborhood disorder to help understanding the dynamics of spatial patterns of crime. He also works on the interaction between toxic pollutant and public health and also on spatial patterns related to coffee fair trade. He has won many awards for his research and is actively involved in teaching and scientific committees.