Visual Criminology

Abstract

An understanding of crime data and analysis is central to any Criminology degree. Graduates need to know how and where to access a wide variety of secondary data sources, and understand how to read and critically evaluate crime statistics, crime maps, and quantitative research publications, and through assessment, know how to apply this learning to understanding crime rates within a community. This chapter reviews the various types of data and analysis that form a substantial part of content within a Bachelor of Criminology degree. Several types of assessment are described as examples of how to engage students in practical exercises to show them how data and analysis can provide fascinating insight into the social life of their own community.