Efficient collection and analysis of crime scene information regarding volume crimes

Purpose and goal

The project´s aim was to develop and evaluate a structured approach for the systematic collection of crime scene details for volume crimes. The project´s aim was concretized through three project objectives that were successfully solved. In order to make use of the project´s deliverables in their regular activities, the Swedish police revises its working methods, processes and national IT systems (for relevant crime categories). Thus, the project satisfies both the objectives and its overall purpose described in the application.

Expected results and effects

The structured approach is expected to provide both time savings and investigative quality gains for the police. The time savings for only residential burglaries (~22,000 in 2015) is approx. 2000 hours, or about one fulltime position. For burglaries in general (~89,000 per year) it is expected to be approx. 4-5 positions. If this is scaled up to all 1.5 Million volume crimes per year, which in practice is unlikely, a saving of approx. 75 positions is found. In addition to the time savings, the structured approach also collects more relevant crime information, and of higher quality.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was structured into four work packages (WP) with a project leader for each. WP 1-3 were mapped to the three project objectives, while WP4 involved work to promote the implementation of the structured apporach and IT support in the police´s regular operations. Implementation has been satisfactory and the cooperation between the Police Development Department South (UC Syd), the National forensic center (NFC) and the Blekinge Institute of Technology has worked impeccably.