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What every mathematician should know about modelling crime

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2010

MARCUS FELSON*
Affiliation:
School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA email: felson@newark.rutgers.edu

Abstract

This paper by a criminologist explains why it makes more sense to model criminal acts than to model criminals, how many preconceptions about crime can mislead modellers and offers some simple crime modelling ideas. Many opportunities for simulation now exist, and new opportunities for real-data modelling are emerging. The author suggests mathematical models of crime, including offender foraging for crime targets, as a rich area for future research.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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