Jill Dando Institute conference to spotlight new technology role in fight against crime

Looking at ways in which geographic information systems (GIS) - techniques which allow data of various forms to be visually 'mapped' - can be applied in crime detection, the conference will uniquely include an interactive session where conference participants - comprising crime policy analysts, police chiefs, local authority representatives and crime prevention specialists - will decide the next steps in the fight against crime in their localities.

Gloria Laycock, Professor of Crime Science and Director of the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science, UCL, said on the eve of the conference:

"This conference is a fascinating opportunity to look at how scientific technology can help in the fight against crime. Working with GIS experts can help in producing an integrated and highly practical approach to crime reduction."

Notes for editors:

UCL's Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science is the first in the world devoted specifically to allying scientific techniques and methods to reducing crime. It does this through teaching, research, public-policy analysis and by the dissemination of evidence-based information on crime reduction. The institute enjoys a close working relationship with businesses, law enforcement agencies and policymakers which ensures that teaching and research are based on practical, real-world problems and solutions.

UCL's Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis is a research group based at UCL which is developing emerging computer technologies in related disciplines which deal with geography, space, location and the built environment.