Network Analysis in Criminal Intelligence

Abstract

A set of approaches to network analysis are used in criminal intelligence to understand and act against serious crimes, criminal groups, and criminal markets. These approaches are based in link analysis and increasingly include techniques from social network analysis. Network analysis techniques in criminal intelligence are used to organise data and reveal patterns in the nature and extent of relationships between data points. They also provide effective visualizations of both qualitative and quantitative data which are valuable in presenting intelligence assessments. The link analysis methods used in criminal intelligence are a form of network analysis designed to discover and illustrate patterns in the connections between individuals, locations, organizations, objects and events. Social network analysis has a tighter focus, concentrating on the relationships between people. Some social network analysis measures have utility in producing targeting recommendations for intelligence collection and operational disruption.