The level of detail collected by the report form dictated that large and complex programs be developed . And the type of case matching demanded by VICAP had never been accomplished before on such a large scale. All of these factors combined to make the entire development process slow and occasionally frustrating.
A Major Revision
Approximately 6 months after VICAP began to receive cases for entry into the system, two things became evident. First, the number of cases being received by VICAP was fewer than originally anticipated. Second, develop ing a good understanding or overview of individual cases from information contained in the VICAP reports was difficult for the VICAP staff. The VICAP Crime Report form was collecting information that was too detailed for its intended purpose of providing crime analysts with the information necessary to establish linkages among cases.
VICAP's purpose was not to investigate cases but to analyze them. In order to do so effectively, general patterns have to be discernible, and that is better done by establishing the general parameters of events rather than extremely specific reconstructions. Crime scenes are seldom exactly replicated, but general MOs are. Crime analysis and criminal investigation require different levels of specificity.
In addition, feedback regarding the report form was being received from the investigators who were completing the form. A vast majority commented that it was "just too time consuming." The value of VICAP and the benefits to be derived from completing the form were not the issues. It was, however, becoming apparent that the time had come to carefully review and reevaluate the VICAP Crime Report.
In early 1986, the report underwent an extensive review, revision, and validation process. The revision was tested during controlled tests by over 30 experienced investigators attending the 144th Session of the FBI National Academy and modified further based upon their input. Finally, it was reviewed by nationally known homicide investigators who had both an extensive knowledge of VICAP and extensive experience completing the existing form . The final product of these efforts is the VICAP Crime Analysis Report form.
