GIS – Using geographic information for crisis management and in the judicial system

Abstract

This paper presents theoretical considerations on geographic information systems supported by aspects of their practical use in various areas. Its scope ranges from environmental protection, transport, public administration and the commercial use of such systems to crisis infrastructure management based on the example of GIS implementation in tools developed in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic. It also discusses the opportunities GIS opens up in the field of conducting criminal analyses in proceedings conducted by law enforcement agencies, including the use of GIS-based solutions for the purpose of building forensic versions, creating maps of security threats, and its usage in geoprofiling as currently the youngest branch of criminal profiling. The report is therefore of an interdisciplinary nature.To achieve the goal within the framework of the adopted methodology, detailed analyses of both Polish and English-language literature were undertaken, with a particular focus on analyses of international programs and tools supported by geographic information systems. However, it must be pointed out that the paper does not contain explanations of the detailed technology used by software developers, considering this matter immaterial to the adopted assumptions, and turns its attention to GIS usage in the field of crisis management and public safety, including in international contexts.