"Computer technology is also necessary to support ongoing behavioral science research efforts."
Several computer systems presently serve the needs of the NCAVC in support of the VICAP, profiling and consultation, and research programs. The computers are located at both Quantico, VA, and Washington, DC.
VICAP
The Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP) computer system is located at FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC, and stores information on unsolved homicide-related violent crimes reported to the NCAVC. VICAP crime reports are entered on-line from the NCAVC at Quantico, using a secure telecommunications network.
When a new case is entered, the VICAP computer system simultaneously compares and contrasts over 100 selected modus operandi (MO) categories of that case with all other cases stored in the data base. After overnight processing, a printed computer report is returned to the VICAP crime analyst handling the case. This report lists, in rank order, the top 10 "matches" in the violent crime databank; that is, the 10 cases that were most similar to the new case. This crime pattern analysis technique, called template pattern matching, was specifically designed for VICAP and programmed by the FBI's Technical Services Division. The VICAP computer system also produces selected management information system reports which monitor case activity geographically, with hope that it will eventually trace the travels of serial violent criminals across the United States.
Profiling
The profiling and consultation program uses a collection of crime pattern recognition computer programs on mini- and micro-computers at the NCAVC's offices to detect and predict the behavior of violent criminals. The Arson Information Management System (AIMS) is a crime pattern analysis computer program used at the NCAVC which has enabled staff members to predict accurately the times, dates, and locations of future incidents, as well as the most probable residence of suspects.2
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Computer technology is also necessary to support ongoing behavioral science research efforts. NCAVC staff members are encouraged to perform and publish research studies on all aspects of violent crime and rely upon computers at Quantico for their support. Some research projects include the use of portable computers carried into the field.
Artificial Intelligence Project
Using the insight and experience gained with VICAP and AIMS computer technology, the NCAVC staff is now developing a comprehensive AI knowledge-based expert system which will assist users of the NCAVC computer system in tracking and predicting violent crimes. Knowledge-based expert systems have proven effective in applying knowledge to solve problems that ordinarily require human intelligence.3 Figure 2 illustrates this system and the relationships of the various individuals in its design and use. It is anticipated the project will be completed in 2 years.
Following the diagram in figure 2, the knowledge engineer transforms prior experiences of the crime profiler and the results of violent crime research into a knowledge base. Using artificial intelligence computer software, the knowledge base is transformed into decision rules defining an inference engine. The NCAVC investigators input new cases and receive consultation via a user interface.
The expert-based computer system under development will allow the NCAVC to:
- 1) Eliminate useless investigative paths which historically have proven fruitless in profiling and identifying the offender;
- 2) Preserve and recall knowledge of similar cases, criminal personality profiles, and research studies;
