Crime analysts join faculty, students at CCJ to learn about new tools and ideas at quarterly meeting
Crime analysts from across the state joined faculty and students at ASU’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ) Feb. 26 to learn about partnerships between academic researchers and analysis practitioners, among other topics, at the quarterly meeting of the Arizona Association of Crime Analysts.
The half-day event, which included faculty research on intimate partner homicide, problem-oriented policing, youth substance abuse and using drones to assess neighborhood disorder, also touched on ways academics and analysts can work together to optimize outcomes.
Associate Professor Adam Fine and graduate student Carlena Orosco — a crime analyst for the Tempe Police Department — presented “Bridging the Gap: Partnerships Between Academics and Analysts.”
Fine and Orosco cited outside research showing that several common objectives exist between the two groups. Both emphasize an evidence-based practice, and both are interested in addressing the problems facing law enforcement, which are becoming increasingly more dynamic.
The research they cited mentioned several benefits of such partnerships, including those gained from blending skills and knowledge, developing translational research problems and increasing capacity and efficiency among practitioners.
This was the first time the AACA had held its quarterly meeting at ASU.
Assistant Professor Shi Yan, who organized the gathering on behalf of CCJ, said it provided AACA members with the opportunity to learn many things in one morning.
“While many collaborations are already going on between professors at the school and state and local agencies,” he said, “this event is a one-stop hub for learning about all these great efforts.”